Paddington (2014) co-written and directed by Paul King
A young Peruvian bear leaves South America in search of a home in London. His family had been discovered some forty years earlier by a Geography Guild member, who taught them English and love of orange marmalade. He promised the bears would always be welcome in London. The young bear travels as far as Paddington Station where is taken in by the Brown family, who name him after the station and promise to help him find a home. They have the usual fun and heart-warming antics while a nosy neighbor (Peter Capaldi) and an unscrupulous museum taxidermist (Nicole Kidman) conspire against the bear. The usual hijinks also ensue. The movie is based on the books by Michael Bond.
What sounds like a formulaic and saccharine-sweet children's movie turns out to be a fine work of entertainment for the whole family. The plot is rather predictable but the characters are so charming and so well-acted (or well-digitally-animated in the case of the bear) that viewers are swept up by the story. The comedy is witty in both senses--intelligent and funny--for adults and children. The movie was a great choice for our family movie night and will get more viewings in the future (as well as inspiring us to check out the books from the library).
Highly recommended.
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