Yes, we still care about this bear

PADDINGTON the bear has ventured to school, court, the hospital and the stock exchange. But it took the fuzzy Londoner 60 years to reach his most memorable destination ever — prison. That’s right. In “Paddington 2,” that sweet bear from deepest, darkest Peru goes to the clink. But lest you think this adorable kids’ series has turned into “The Shawshank Redemption,” know that this second chapter is still blissfully kind, funny and whip-smart. It’s a perfect flick for families, but also a jolly time for anyone with a pulse.

How does a brown bear who’s so nice that he makes Baloo from “The Jungle Book” seem crotchety wind up in the big house? Well, Paddington’s beloved Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday is coming up and the cheery chap wants to buy her a gift. So, he goes through a series of odd jobs to pocket enough cash to afford a rare pop-up book of London landmarks from Mr. Gruber’s shop.

All of Paddington’s failed gigs are hilarious, but the best is the go-getter as a barber wielding an overzealous electric razor.

When he witnesses Gruber’s store — and his coveted book — being burglarized in the night, Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) attempts to stop the crime. But it backfires, and the fuzz mistakenly blame him instead. And so it’s off to the pen.

Meanwhile, on the outside, the Brown family (including Hugh Bonneville from “Downton Abbey” and Sally Hawkins) works to clear Paddington’s name by finding the real perp.

That rogue just happens to be Hugh Grant, who plays a faded West End actor on a hunt for lost treasure using the pop-up book, in which clues are hidden. Grant’s second life playing eccentric, showboating men past their prime (a la his role in “Florence Foster Jenkins”) has been a smart move. He’s a hoot here.

This is easily the most fun anyone — man or bear — has ever had behind bars.

Running time: 103 minutes. Rated PG (some action, mild rude humor). Now playing. —Johnny Oleksinski