Director
Paul King
(PADDINGTON)

Stars
The voice of Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent

In his first-ever feature-film outing, Paddington bear was a huge success. At home in the United Kingdom, PADDINGTON was the second highest family film debut of 2014 and it received two nominations at the British Academy Film Awards for Best British Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. Worldwide, the family film grossed $265.3 million from its $50-$55 million budget including $76.3 million in the United States. In his first-ever feature film sequel, Paddington proves that he is no one-trick teddy bear.

For the past few years, Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) has lived with and become part of the Brown family in London, as illustrated by the opening of this sequel. Though far apart, Paddington has not forgotten his real family from the Peruvian jungle where his Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) is soon to turn one-hundred years old. When Paddington visits an antique store owned by Mr Gruber (Jim Broadbent), he comes across an old book that features several of London’s landmarks and decides to get a job in order to save the cash needed to purchase the perfect gift for his Aunt. Little does he know, this book is also being sought after by former TV star and wannabe solo stage performer, Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), who manages to steal the book before Paddington can purchase it.

Rest assured, this premise, which might not sound particularly enticing on paper (or screen, for that matter), serves to be a mere springboard for the adventure, excitement and laughter this fun-filled live-action sequel is guaranteed to give the entire family! Without revealing the specifics, Paddington’s desperate pursuit of the antique book and the masked burglar who took it will introduce him to a whole new array of colourful characters and cast him in a starring role in the numerous inventive scenarios to follow. Yes, this does mean that Paddington is away from the Brown family for most of this film’s duration, however they still play a very important role in fulfilling Paddington’s mission. So not only are all past and present characters such wonderful company all throughout, they are also each creatively conceived and contribute meaningfully to all proceedings. A perfect example of just that revolves around what Paddington aspires to and indeed does achieve at a particular facility. Classic stuff!

Thank goodness that FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS and Meryl Streep wooed Hugh Grant out of his premature retirement. He is in as dashing form here, portraying a narcissistic and flamboyant villain, as he was in any film from his heyday. It is an act worth the price of admission alone. Another fan favourite among adults and children alike will be Brendan Gleeson’s extremely likable outing as an unapproachable and irascible head chef named “Nuckles”. Having detected a softness in Nuckles’ heart that was understood to be non-existent, the brave and utterly endearing manner in which Paddington attempts to extract it is as sweet as marmalade itself. The reactions from Paddington’s audience who witness this risky business and the hilarious shenanigans they get up to produces family comedy at its finest.

Director Paul King left WONDER to direct this sequel and has repeated the original’s excellence whilst reinventing the all-ages adventure and story. Don’t miss it!

4 stars

Viewer Discretion
G (Very mild themes and violence)

Trailer
PADDINGTON 2

Moviedoc thanks Asha Holmes Publicity and Studiocanal for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Moviedoc / “LIKE” on Facebook – Moviedoc

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