Paddington, the loveable bear, lives with the Brown family. He has settled into the community and has some odd jobs so that he can buy a 100th birthday present for Aunt Lucy. But then, the gift is stolen. Sounds like just another humdrum family movie? Think again. This is superb entertainment for everyone and Hugh Grant’s performance as the villain, is off the scale.
This sequel surpasses the original despite it also having been very good. It could nearly sneak into our Christmas selection, not because it has a Christmas theme, but because it has exactly the right ingredients for the whole family; young and old. The combining of animation and live action is seamless. It is both funny and poignant (you care about the bear). As we’ve said, Hugh Grant is brilliant, and you just want to see more of him. There is adventure, comedy and even a prison dance routine involving less-than-butch inmates in pink stripey outfits. The whole thing is a delight and just right for a cosy night in or those lazy days between Christmas and New Year.
And just to back up our love for this film; Paddington 2 is the best reviewed film ever on Rotten Tomatoes and is Hugh Grant’s favourite movie of his own. One piece of sad trivia is that Michael Bond, the writer of the Paddington books, died on the final day of filming. His books have sold over 35 million copies.
Certificate: PG
1 hour 43 min
NETFLIX – YOUTUBE
Director: Paul King
Cast: Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville
