Paddington 2014

Already quite good out of the gate. You can tell there’s a lot of passion behind it by how it’s directed and edited, it has such a clear vision. Is it biting Wes Anderson’s style? Maybe a bit, but I can tell it’s not him behind the camera, so I can only conclude Paul King did a fantastic job here. There are so many visual details and quirks, it’s really fun to look at, and the animation’s quite impressive. A lot of it is just simply cute and twee, and it manages to do so without feeling corporate or cynical, it has genuine heart. Sure, not all the slapstick works, but a lot of it is funny, there’s a Charlie Chaplin/Buster Keaton energy to it. Ben Whishaw has the perfect voice for Paddington, and all the other actors are clearly enjoying themselves. Nicole Kidman’s the only one who feels a little too cartoony at times, given the tone of the rest of the movie. It’s not a bad performance but she feels like she’s from a different movie. My biggest issue comes with the music, because not only are the needle drops too obvious, but a lot of the music’s trying way too hard to tell the viewer how to feel when it’s not necessary; they could’ve put a little more care into that. However, this is overall very nice, you could tell they were aiming to be a modern family classic, and they somehow succeeded.

7.5/10

Paddington is based on the well-known books by Michael Bond, which children have been growing up for more than half a century worldwide. It's therefore not surprising the a live-action version finally comes out, and one that does not disappoint! Prepare yourself for a nostalgic spectacle of brilliant visual effects and a heart-warming story.

After a devastating earthquake in Peru, Paddington (Ben Whishaw), one of the last survivors of the talking bear species Ursa Marmaladus, was put on the boat to London by his aunt (Imelda Staunton), hoping he would can build new life. An explorer who visited Paddington's uncle (Michael Gambon) and aunt years ago in the jungle told them that they would always be welcome in London, but once arrived Paddington discovers that the Western view of immigrants has changed considerably. Fortunately, he soon comes across the Brown family, who is prepared to take him in temporarily. But danger arises in the form of the Cruella de Vil-like type Millicent (Nicole Kidman), which Paddington only wants to add to her collection of taxidermied animals.

A combination of live action and animated characters is always risky in films, but in Paddington they go together perfectly. Moreover, it adds to the humor that Londoners apparently are not surprised by a bear whom she politely greets on the street. Except perhaps by the fact that they are greeted anyway. Humor is there in Paddington, since the title character falls from one predicament to the other. It is mainly childish humor, but for the adults there are also enough (visual) jokes. The Brown family is at a certain moment in the exact position of the famous depiction of Darwin's theory of evolution, when they hide in the Natural History Museum in London. We also finally find out what is underneath the Queen's Guard's bears.

Paddington reunites Harry Potter producer David Heyman with actors Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton and Michael Gambon, who also had roles in Harry Potter films. There are clearly Harry Potter influences to be found in the film. The numerous visual effects actually create a magical atmosphere, and the building of the Geographer's Guild, Paddington and Mr. To visit Brown in their search for the explorer would not be out of place in the ministry of magic.

The story is told with a lot of visual ingenuity; there are at least as many smart images as word jokes, the animation is flawless and the colorful decors would not be out of place in a film by Wes Anderson. The actors also understand well what is expected of them: even in the craziest situations they keep their stiff upper lip.

Although the typical British humor and the breathtaking visual effects are perhaps the most important reasons for seeing this film, the brilliant cast certainly contributes to this. Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins play Henry and Mary Brown, and their spying neighbor Mr. Curry is played by none other than Peter Capaldi. They each put their characters down perfectly and each contributes to the humor in their own way. Despite his cling, Paddington conquers their hearts during the film, as well as those of the viewers.

Director and co-writer Paul King finds exactly the right tone. The warmth and mild humor of the books have remained intact but have also been modernized, with more absurdism, slapstick, British self-mockery and even social criticism, about the cold attitude towards refugees.

7.7/10