Credible Credits
Year: 2015
Director: Paul King
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman, Peter Capaldi, and Julie Walters
Tagline: Please look after this bear. Thank you.
Synopsis: A young, all-things-British-and-marmalade loving bear moves to London in search of a new home.
Tagline: Please look after this bear. Thank you.
Synopsis: A young, all-things-British-and-marmalade loving bear moves to London in search of a new home.
Review
I cannot remember the last time I was so thoroughly delighted at having watched a film. By the time the credits rolled, I found myself chuckling at how terrific, wonderful, and charming Paddington was. I do not use those adjectives lightly.
I'm not sure I was ever formally introduced to Paddington Bear (i.e., I don't recall reading the books as a child). But I certainly knew the name and recognized the bear in the red hat and blue coat. And tidbits like "Darkest Peru" and "marmalade" seemed to fit in my mental concept of the character.
When I saw the teaser trailer, I was intrigued. But the main theatrical trailer -- which involved a toothbrush, ear wax, and a major plumbing fiasco -- left me rolling my eyes and expecting this to be another frenetic, low brow, slapstick-riddled debacle, ineptly ruining yet another childhood memory. When the rave reviews started coming in, I was astounded. Going into the theatre, I remained skeptical.
The movie trailer is Paddington's only fault.
Oh sure, not all the humor was quite my cup of tea. But most of the humor was quite delightfully droll and wonderfully British. Paddington isn't manic or rude. He is completely charming, polite, and endearing. And his earnest search for a new home will have you grinning. Plus, as a bonus, he seems to have his own calypso band that serendipitously shows up on street corners to set the mood. Where do I sign up for my own calypso band?
Whenever your main character is a CGI character, you need actors who are fully invested. They are, after all, acting to nothing ... or perhaps a stuffed animal stand in. The entire cast of Paddington -- which includes four Harry Potter veterans, a Downton Abbey alum, and the current Doctor -- is fully invested. You get the feeling every one of them is honored to be bringing a cherished character to life and they all want to see it done right. Nicole Kidman plays quite the over-the-top villain, which is what the story seems to call for (although she might be a bit intense for really young children). Ben Whishaw rises to the challenge of being voice to Paddington, filling the bear with polite charm and innocent exuberance.
The story, in and of itself, is heartfelt and endearing. But the film goes beyond that. Paddington fully and brilliantly embraces its medium to tell the story. It isn't just a story on film. It's a story brought to life through the "magic" of cinema. For instance, as Paddington is describing the Brown family in a letter, we actually pull back and see the house as if it were a doll house, a cutaway where you can see all the goings on at once. Or there's the moment when Paddington is watching the old black and white newsreel of his home in Darkest Peru. He walks right up to the screen projection ... and then right through it into his own vibrant memories. The whole film is a cinematic joy to behold.
If this were a one word review, I would simply say, "Charming." At its heart, Paddington is a story about being a newcomer and finding where you belong. It is about family. If you have children, take them to see Paddington. If you don't have children, take your inner child.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The film had me from the opening sequence when the news reel video of the explorer talks about the "essentials" he took with him to Darkest Peru. He lists off a "modest timepiece," and you see a hired local carrying a full size grandfather clock.
The film was already endearing long before the climax. But throwing in both Mission: Impossible and Raiders of the Lost Ark references: perfect. I laughed aloud at each.
I'm not sure I was ever formally introduced to Paddington Bear (i.e., I don't recall reading the books as a child). But I certainly knew the name and recognized the bear in the red hat and blue coat. And tidbits like "Darkest Peru" and "marmalade" seemed to fit in my mental concept of the character.
When I saw the teaser trailer, I was intrigued. But the main theatrical trailer -- which involved a toothbrush, ear wax, and a major plumbing fiasco -- left me rolling my eyes and expecting this to be another frenetic, low brow, slapstick-riddled debacle, ineptly ruining yet another childhood memory. When the rave reviews started coming in, I was astounded. Going into the theatre, I remained skeptical.
The movie trailer is Paddington's only fault.
Oh sure, not all the humor was quite my cup of tea. But most of the humor was quite delightfully droll and wonderfully British. Paddington isn't manic or rude. He is completely charming, polite, and endearing. And his earnest search for a new home will have you grinning. Plus, as a bonus, he seems to have his own calypso band that serendipitously shows up on street corners to set the mood. Where do I sign up for my own calypso band?
Whenever your main character is a CGI character, you need actors who are fully invested. They are, after all, acting to nothing ... or perhaps a stuffed animal stand in. The entire cast of Paddington -- which includes four Harry Potter veterans, a Downton Abbey alum, and the current Doctor -- is fully invested. You get the feeling every one of them is honored to be bringing a cherished character to life and they all want to see it done right. Nicole Kidman plays quite the over-the-top villain, which is what the story seems to call for (although she might be a bit intense for really young children). Ben Whishaw rises to the challenge of being voice to Paddington, filling the bear with polite charm and innocent exuberance.
The story, in and of itself, is heartfelt and endearing. But the film goes beyond that. Paddington fully and brilliantly embraces its medium to tell the story. It isn't just a story on film. It's a story brought to life through the "magic" of cinema. For instance, as Paddington is describing the Brown family in a letter, we actually pull back and see the house as if it were a doll house, a cutaway where you can see all the goings on at once. Or there's the moment when Paddington is watching the old black and white newsreel of his home in Darkest Peru. He walks right up to the screen projection ... and then right through it into his own vibrant memories. The whole film is a cinematic joy to behold.
If this were a one word review, I would simply say, "Charming." At its heart, Paddington is a story about being a newcomer and finding where you belong. It is about family. If you have children, take them to see Paddington. If you don't have children, take your inner child.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The film had me from the opening sequence when the news reel video of the explorer talks about the "essentials" he took with him to Darkest Peru. He lists off a "modest timepiece," and you see a hired local carrying a full size grandfather clock.
The film was already endearing long before the climax. But throwing in both Mission: Impossible and Raiders of the Lost Ark references: perfect. I laughed aloud at each.
Quotable Quotes
- "It's marmalade day!" -- Paddington
- "I named them after my mother ... and an exotic boxer I met in a bar once." -- the Explorer
- "Mrs. Bird has a hoover [vacuum] for every occasion." -- Paddington in a letter to his Aunt Lucy
ISFS
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