Review 457: Paddington 2

Paddington 2 may not bear the most original of titles but it’s a fast paced, exciting, action packed, sweet-natured sequel that honours the spirit of the original whilst also taking the titular bear and the Brown’s on another heartfelt whirlwind adventure.

Settled in with the Brown family, Paddington the bear has become a popular member of the community in surrounding Windsor Gardens, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes.
One fine day, he spots a pop-up book in an antique shop - the perfect present for his beloved aunt Lucy’s (Imelda Staunton) 100th birthday. When a thief steals the prized book, Paddington embarks on an epic quest to unmask the culprit before Aunt Lucy’s big celebration.

Returning director Paul King's direction is the cinematography is  the score by Dario Marianelli is beautiful, the production design is exceptional, the costumes are lavish, the locations within the films fantastical London setting are spectacular.

Hugh Grant makes for a simply splendid villain playing retired actor Phoenix Buchanan. Grant almost plays a variation of himself given that

And as always Julie Walters and Peter Capaldi are simply delightful playing Mrs. Bird and Mr. Curry the Browns’ housekeeper and nosey neighbor respectively.

There also some hilarious appearances from Ben Miller, Jessica Hynes and Joanna Lumley in bit parts