​FILMS

paddington

Paddington: (Family): 84 out of 100: A contender for one of the best family films in 2014, this British production is charming and delightful. It is based on the series of books written by Michael Bond and he should be proud of the outcome.

It starts off with a back story on how Paddington Bear arrived in London. An explorer visits Peru and tells Paddington, his aunt and uncle that whenever they choose to visit England they would feel most welcome. After his uncle dies, Paddington sets off on his own and arrives in London and discovers that the city is not at all that he imagined it to be. It's not until he is taken in by the Brown family that he feels wanted in a foreign place.

The concept is pretty much an allegory of how many foreigners are treated in their new home. Anyone who has felt the slightest bit different would be genuinely moved by Paddington's plight. The story is highly engaging and entertaining. Not once did I check the time, a sure sign that the movie moved along at a brisk pace.

Paddington is a computer generated character but he had all the warmth and heart of a human. He is integrated well with the human cast led by Bonneville and Hawkins as Mr and Mrs Brown, and Julie Walters as their housekeeper. They act with distinction along with Kidman who makes a convincing villain.

The film makes excellent use of its location shooting in London. You will be able to spot many tourist attractions. What made the film even better was the glorious use of colour. Not one frame was wasted on the visual beauty that the film provides. The music score also enhances the film with its rich and melodious tunes.

Adults will gain as much fun as children from the film. There's plenty of humour and action to please a variety of moviegoers. It's an entertaining film that deserves to perform well at the box office, thus leading to a sequel which I would really look forward to seeing.

Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman
(95 minutes)
Additional scene during or after credits: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bZFr2IA0Bo (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Thursday 11th December, 2014)