Bear’s tale is brilliant family fun

Paddington 2 ●●●●●

The first Paddington was such an unexpectedly brilliant delight that you could be forgiven for fearing the worst with this sequel.

But any worries are quickly dispelled in a fiercely fun follow-up that matches its predecessor.

The Ben Whishaw-voiced titular bear is one of the sweetest, most endearing nonhuman leads ever committed to film.

A returning Sally Hawkins and Hugh Bonneville have a ball and Hugh Grant, replacing Nicole Kidman on villainous duties, delivers a suitably over-the-top turn.