Paddington 2 Review
PG: some action and mild rude humor
Warner Bros. Pictures, StudioCanal
1 Hr and 43 Minutes
Dir: Paul King | Writers: Paul King, Simon Farnaby
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Grant, and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington 2
INTRO: It is rare that a January movie would come and be tremendous but yet, “Paddington 2” exists. The last time I fell in love with a January release was in 2015 with….the first “Paddington.” It is way too early in the year to feel such love for a film during the dumping season that we all know to hate. Something about this bear is just so heartwarming that the only reason I’m posting this review a bit late after its release is because I saw this twice. This is already my happy place movie of 2018, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.
The best way I describe Paddington is a British Stuart Little. What made the first film such as great film amongst other CG-hybrid the action films was its kind nature and the innovative abundant amount of beautiful imagery. Where in the first movie the entire village of Windsor Gardens didn’t really know him, this time around everyone knows and loves Paddington for he is the light to everyone’s darkness.
What really makes this movie is Paddington himself. With the incredible CG effects, Ben Whishaw’s charming voice, and the fantastic performances from everyone who interacts with Paddington. Because of all three factors, you feel that this adorably sweet bear is real. In a perfect world, I really wish he was.
The premise is plain and straightforward but the visual wonder that director Paul King infuses with this story makes it something timeless. This bear isn’t making modern references to pop culture or try to be hip to blend in. All this bear does is act like a modern citizen with just innocence. The only reason why people don’t like him is because he’s a bear. He makes mistakes and has the understanding of an innocent child, but you still love him nonetheless.
It is such a rarity to have a movie where nearly everyone is not only likable but lovable. The antagonist played by Hugh Grant is such a charmer. The only evil thing about him is his greed for fame and relevance. It's so weird that Hugh Grant out of all people is having such a great career right now by appearing in such charming films that are both heartwarming and humorous. This time around he plays an actor who is full of himself, but you can’t call him out on his bullshit because he’s just so charming in an innocent way. He isn’t smug or fully conceited but strives to be a people pleaser by any means necessary.
He abides by his Aunt’s words to his life because it was her kindness that gave him life. This entire story is fueled by his motivation to get his aunt this book for her birthday, and you root for him all the way through. In its very introduction, you see Paddington as a cub being saved by Lucy and Pastuzo. At that scene, you understand why Paddington owes so much to her, and this entire adventure is set because of kindness and trying to return it.
As an audience member you can predict where the story will go but its one of those cases where the journey matters more. This is a movie that is just pure, precious, and just the right amount of perfect.
Every sequence of action movement feels so inspired from classic animated cartoons taken from something like Aardman. It doesn’t go bigger or more extravagant but remains as grounded as possible with having such a creative style mixed with wit and imagination from beginning to end. It doesn’t go for being a cash grab but being a fun and heartwarming sequel that doesn’t only stand on its own but also exceeds its already great predecessor.
THE BAD
There are some funny callbacks from the predecessor, but they’re all so reinvented and switched around that it doesn’t annoy you. But there are. There are way too many callbacks that it does become a bit tiresome. Some characters from the first film pop up in this to reuse the same joke from the first.
THE RENDY
Thank you Warner Bros for releasing this in the states. There is no way in hell that this movie should’ve been kept in the hands of the Weinstein’s. The first Paddington was distributed by The Weinstein Company in 2015. When that scandal came out in 2017, StudioCanal cut ties with The Weinstein Company who were originally going to release it. Then luckily Warner Bros. Pictures came in and said, “We got this.” After seeing “Paddington 2” makes me even angrier at The Weinstein Company for releasing the first because they have proven that they don’t deserve this precious bear. I feel like a parent taking a child away from an abusive dad, but that's what it is. I may have some personal opinions towards Warner Bros because of a certain film coming out soon (which may or may not be called “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies”) but in this case, they’ve done a great job saving this pure bear from the clutches of a studio headed by disgusting pigs.
LAST STATEMENT
In a time where the world is insane and out of whack, “Paddington 2” is a film that is the perfect definition of escapism. It is a film that doesn’t display a perfect world but expresses how if we’re kind and polite the world will be right and we can all strive for greatness as this bear.
Rating: 5/5 | 96%
(I KNOW ITS TOO EARLY IN THE YEAR FOR THIS RATING)
