Sweet sequel more than bearable
I can’t remember seeing Paddington in 2014. I suppose I must have. I seem to have reviewed it. But clearly it didn’t leave much of a lasting impression on me at the time. Or possibly I stayed at the pub for a couple too many after writing it up. That’s happened.
I’ll tell you what though, I won’t be forgetting Paddington 2 in any sort of hurry. This film is a little ripper that put a smile on my face that – hours after the screening – is showing no signs of fading.
Paddington 2 picks up the action a while after the events of the first film (whatever they were).
Everybody’s favourite bear is settled in to life with the Brown family in London. He’s made himself a popular and well-liked member of the community in a way that reminded me a little of Bill Murray in the last reel of Groundhog Day.
But, wouldn’t you know it, there’s trouble looming in the person of the dodgy bloke over the road, who sets up our loveable ursus as a suspect in the theft of a unique and collectible book.
With Paddington locked up in poky and the villain’s schemes running unchecked, it is left to the Browns to prove the wee marmalade-addict’s innocence and … are you still reading? Thought not.
Look, no-one with an age or IQ that has reached double figures really cares about the plot of Paddington 2. We just want to know whether it is a likeable, charming, witty and thoughtful piece of work. And it is. With Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson and Ben Whishaw (as the voice of Paddington) all on board, Paddington 2 is a veritable roll call of much-loved Brit thesps.
Put this lot in front of some truly beautiful set design and backdrops and have them perform an acceptably daft and funny script and you really can’t go wrong.
Paddington 2 is a sweet and endlessly admirable little film. The kids will probably adore it and any adults who are dragged along will too. Bravo. – Graeme Tuckett