Paddington 2: A Delightful Family Adventure in London
A heartwarming and humorous family film about the continued adventures of a well-meaning bear in the British capital.
The Peruvian bear, Paddington, now living with the Brown family in London, wishes to send his Aunt Lucy an antique pop-up book of London. As the gift is quite expensive, Paddington takes on various jobs to save up the money. However, just one day before he can finally purchase the book, it is stolen by Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), a washed-up actor who believes the book contains clues to a hidden treasure. Paddington attempts to stop the thief, but he is wrongly accused of the crime and ends up in jail. While Paddington adjusts to life behind bars, Phoenix searches for the treasure, and the Brown family sets out to prove Paddington’s innocence and catch the real culprit.
The author of the Paddington books, Michael Bond, passed away during the filming of the movie. The film is dedicated to his memory.
Paddington: A Beloved Character
Who is this charming, talking creature who arrives from distant lands and quickly makes new friends? In Russia, it’s Cheburashka; in Britain, it’s Paddington Bear, created in 1957 by author Michael Bond. Over 60 years, this naive, unlucky, kind-hearted, and impeccably polite bear from the depths of Peru has become almost as well-known and popular as Winnie-the-Pooh, thanks to Bond being a much more prolific author than A.A. Milne. After a series of animated Paddington shows, the British released a very successful live-action film, “Paddington,” in 2014. This year, screenwriter and director Paul King has created a second installment of the little bear’s adventures on the big screen.
The release of the first “Paddington” film in 2014 led to an increase in marmalade sales in the UK.
A Whimsical and Heartwarming Experience
What does “Paddington 2” offer viewers? Nearly two hours of beautifully filmed and utterly adorable scenes wrapped in a semi-fairytale setting. The film is nominally set in modern London, but it’s not the real British capital with all its urban imperfections. Instead, it’s an idealized world reminiscent of the Soviet TV musical “Mary Poppins, Goodbye.” In this London, everyone loves, respects, and adores each other, and the only troublemakers are a few comical villains like the egotistical Phoenix, who simply wants to stage a one-man show with the treasure money (his arrogance prevents him from working with colleagues and directors), or the paranoid Mr. Curry (Peter Capaldi from “Doctor Who”), who insists that the foreign bear is the root of all evil.
Even the prison inmates turn out to be kind and friendly guys once Paddington finds the key to their hearts. Naturally, this key is the bear’s favorite orange marmalade. In the world of “Paddington,” sweets save the day! Of course, in combination with friendship, love, courage, and an inability to despair.
A Film for All Ages
“Paddington 2” is primarily aimed at young children, and the film contains nothing overly frightening or morally objectionable. However, its ironic British humor without vulgarity or “toilet humor,” as well as its dynamic and emotional plot with a suspenseful “Hollywood” ending, can also captivate adults. Especially those who find joy in looking at pictures of cute cats and dogs. Paddington is just such a “puppy.” Only he’s better than a dog because he can be not just an object of admiration, but also a role model. He seems to be the most pleasant protagonist we’ve seen this year.