After “Finding Dory”, we decided to watch “Paddington”, or rather I proposed it. Yet again, O wasn’t really into the story but he watched it and liked that “Paddington” was cute and had a red hat on. Unfortunately he has never really gotten into the “Paddington” books we got, and to this day I wonder why because from my perspective, Paddington is absolutely adorable and his antics are fun to read about.
Paddington
When it comes to the film, much unlike “Finding Dory”, this is a pretty straight-forward children’s film. Paddington comes to live with his new family, becomes an accepted member of the community, then finally must face an evil antagonist who tries to abduct him. The film is all about how much you like the characters and how well the simple story is executed. Well, I love Paddington as a character (I love that he loves marmalade! So cutely british!) and I thought his adventures were told in an amusing manner. The world in which Paddington lives is something like a romanticized nostalgic version of London which probably has never existed but it sure looks pretty. Perhaps my favorite is the part where Paddington chases after a thief and finally gets some recognition after he causes one accident after another. The chase scene was mostly inconsequential to the story and merely serves as an amusing interlude, and perhaps that is one of those tiny details that the film pulls off really well. I think “Paddington” is pretty great children’s entertainment, and I wonder if my particular child would ever get into it.
While Nicole Kidman makes a fine evil lady in a children’s film, I was especially amused to see Lord Grantham in the role of the grumpy dad. Reminds me that I actually wanted to finish “Downton Abbey”, another show I love because of its Britishness. I also learned that Ben Whishaw voiced Paddington – how incredibly fitting! As you may remember from my posting on “Spectre”, I have a sweet spot for Ben Whishaw and think that he is as cute as a button.
If they ever make a second “Paddington” film just as good as this one, I’d definitely want to see it.