Review 456: Paddington (2014)

Paddington is a delightfully charming

Based on Paddington Bear by Michael Bond, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is an anthropomorphic bear who migrates from the jungles of Peru to the streets of London after his aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) decides to move into a retirement home for bears after an earthquake strikes their home.
When he arrives, he’s adopted by the Brown family consisting of Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville), his wife Mary (Sally Hawkins), their two children Judy (Madeleine Harris) & Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) and their housekeeper Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters). His arrival allows attracts the unwanted attention of Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman) a greedy taxidermist looking to add him to her collection.

The plot is simple but extremely effective, heartwarming and absolutely sincere. What this film does so well is that is beautifully and effectively captures the heart and soul of the character of Paddington.  Part of the reason he's such a well known and beloved character is how nice, polite and kind he is. How it improves the world around him  and enriches everyones lives and becomes a member of the family and society

At it's core, Paddington is about welcoming immigrants.

Writer/director Paul King direction is wonderfully creative, the cinematography is beautiful and captures the beauty and warmth of West London, the production design is fabulous, bringing to life an idealised, storybook version of London. The score by Nick Urata is delightful, the scenery is lovely, there

Peter Capaldi also provides some simply, brilliantly inspired laughs as Mr. Curry, the Brown's nosey next-door neighbour who also doesn't trust Paddington.

Nicole Kidman  she's scary but in a fun way. Even though what Clyde is doing is for inherently selfish reasons, we as an audience can understand why she doing

4/5.

The Anonymous Critic