Movie Review # 716: Paddington (2015)

Well, everyone, today, in honor of a third Paddington film being released here very soon, we go through the first two films, starting with this one. So, here you go, the one, and only Paddington!

Plot: When an unknown species of bear comes to London, England from Peru, following the death of his uncle, he finds a human family that consists of the parents, and their son, and daughter, and decide to keep him for the time being. Now, will the family be able to find him a proper home, or will Paddington their new family companion in the end?

Well, as I’m sure many of us know, a lot of live-action family films that have had humans, and talking animals in them have been hit, or miss. Well, in the case of this film, Paddington, it is most definitely a hit. What we have here is a film with plenty of heart, soul, and humor. Paddington is a very heartwarming film. I mean one of the main things to love about the film is, first of all, how much they capture the life of places like Peru, and London, the two places that this film take place in, especially the latter one. Second of all, Paddington also does great with showing how change, whether it’s having a new child, getting adopted, or whatever else, can change a person’s life, more so for the better. Additionally, as mentioned before, there is such a great deal of comedy in this film. Honestly, the kinds of funny scenes that occur throughout this film, they are so genius. I mean no crude humor, no crude remarks, or anything else that could make the humor dirty, and/or crude. Considering that even in family films, filmmakers have had a tendency to put the more dirty kind of humor in, it is most definitely nice to see that films like Paddington didn’t have to rely on that, and/or have to force comedy in period. And what’s more is that even if Paddington may be technically be in the category of children’s entertainment, the film does have a lot even for teens, and adults to enjoy as well. Honestly, it’s one of those family live-action family films that, like films such as Stuart Little, and maybe even ones like the more recent Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, for instance, might go on to be such a heartwarming film with heart, and story, that could go on to potentially be a classic in the future, if not now. In addition to all of this, the acting is great. I mean you got High Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Peter Capaldi, and even Nicole Kidman in this film. Still, it is Ben Winshaw, who voices Paddington himself, that really steals the show. As for the story itself, well, though it may be simple, it is also surprisingly creative. That is another aspect that makes Paddington worthwhile. What’s more is that the way that the beginning, and even other scenes are structured in this film is really creative, and well-done overall as well. Finally, Paddington is great at teaching valuable lessons such as the true meaning of family, that you don’t always know what you got until it’s gone, that having a family can change a person, even for the better, and lessons like those.

And that’s my review for Paddington. Truly, it is a live-action family film that works well. Honestly, if more studios made more movies like it, instead of making animated films that are full-on computer-animated all the time, we may get have a better balance of the types of family films in that regard. Paddington has well-developed characters, a story that’s well-structured, great comedy, and more that make this movie worth your while. Definitely see Paddington if you have yet to. You’ll definitely enjoy this film one way, or the other.

Final Rating: 10/10