Paddington 2: "If We're Kind And Polite The World Will Be Right"

Director: Paul King
Writer:    Paul King
                Simon Farnaby
Starring: Ben Whishaw
                Hugh Bonneville
                Sally Hawkins 
                Julie Walters
                Hugh Grant
                Jim Broadbent
                Brendan Gleeson
                Peter Capaldi
                Joanna Lumley 
                Imelda Staunton
                Michael Gambon
Rating:    *****

Release Date: Out Now 

When the first Paddington film was released I, along with many, many other people let out a mental groan, fully expecting it to go the way of similar films The Smurfs franchise or the Garfield films. However when it was eventually released, Paddington turned out to be a charming British family comedy full of heart, laughs and marmalade. Soon after that Paddington 2 was announced, and again, I fully expected it to suffer from that fatal sequel curse...rarely a sequel is better than the original, but Paddington 2 has done everything and more to break that very curse.

Brendan Gleeson & Ben Whishaw

Paddington 2 sees all the original cast returning, including Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and of course Ben Whishaw as the voice of the titular bear. Each of them continues to fill the screen with their lovable quirks and gentle comedy that made the first film so lovable. Even the kooky neighbours manage to bring something special to the scenes they are in and each character has purpose and a place in Windsor Gardens. The writing is what really helps to develop the characters, and with each line written with such care, the actors are able to flourish on the screen.

The new addition to the cast comes in the form of eccentric actor Phoenix Buchanan, portrayed by the usually straight-laced Hugh Grant. It is rare to see Hugh Grant really having fun on screen these days, with him actually “retiring” a few years ago, so to see him in such an over the top role as this was quite surprising. To sum it up in the best way I can, Grant hams this role up to the maximum, and his camp and OTT performance is the perfect contrast to the calm and collected Brown family, and of course makes for a brilliant adversary to the Marmalade loving bear.

As with the first film Paddington is as lovable and clumsy as always, with the animators truly bringing him to life with every detail and subtlety. Now, obviously what is Paddington without a voice, and Ben Whishaw’s timing and delivery is heartfelt and quick. He truly embodies the childlike and innocent qualities that make Paddington so warming, and in the scenes where Paddington mingles with angry and scary prisoners, well it is easy to see how they are so easily won round to Paddinton’s charm. Much of the film is spent with Paddington being stuck in prison, a place that is way out of his comfort zone, but the naivety that Whishaw’s vocals portray make for some brilliantly comedic moments throughout. 

Hugh Grant

Surprisingly there are some really serious themes sprinkled throughout, especially with how immigrants are dealt with and treated in the UK, but they are done with a gentle hand and they aim to enlighten the younger audience members about acceptance and being welcoming. It’s not often a film like this can feel so relevant to the political and social world we live in, but somehow Paddington manages to highlight some real issues, and does it in a colourful and unassuming manner.

Director Paul King has created a storybook-esque film, that is saturated with bright pastel colours, and pure joy and love. Paddington 2 managed to surpass my every expectation for what it was going to be, and is actually even better than the first; making me well up with pure joy more than once. The new characters blend perfectly with the old, but manage to steer clear from being one dimensional and unnecessary, while the old cast seem to just be happy to be making another one. With rumours of a Paddington 3 soon to be announced, I just hope with all my heart, that Paddington 3 continues to build on this hopeful world, rather than ruin this beautifully British franchise. 

Paddington 2 - Trailer