Dir. Paul King (2017)
Rated PG Paddington 2, the sequel to the Paddington movie series, follows Paddington in his second adventure in London. After traveling a long ways from the jungles of Peru and ending up in Paddington Station, he has been adopted by the Brown family and now lives a comfortable life in a neighborhood called Windsor Gardens. His Aunt Lucy's birthday is coming up, and he finds her the perfect gift in a local toy shop: a vintage pop-up book of London. Days later, the same book is found to be stolen from the store, and all signs point to Paddington being the culprit. He is taken to trial and sentenced to 10 years in jail, even though the Browns and Gruber, the store owner himself, know that he is innocent. This is because Phoenix Buchanan, a pretentious performer who lives across from the Browns, testifies against him. Buchanan (Hugh Grant) was the actual thief, believing that the vintage book was the key to success and becoming a famous performer. Paddington winds up in prison and soon makes many friends, including the notorious and terrifying chef Nuckles, who masters the marmalade sandwich with Paddington's help. Paddington and his new inmate friends soon plan a prison outbreak, so Paddington can go back to his beloved family and prove his innocence. This journey takes Paddington on a wild adventure that is equally as thrilling, charming, and heartwarming as the first movie in this series was. I don't mean to exaggerate, but the Paddington series may be some of the best animated films to date. I've never met someone who didn't love Paddington. Sequels walk a dangerous line when they follow an amazing movie, because if it flops, then it puts a damper on the whole series. Sometimes it's better to not come out with a sequel at all and just let an amazing movie be. (Mamma Mia 2 .. why?) But Paddington 2 was just as great as the original, if not a little better. I don't know what it is, but there's something about this movie series that makes it so likable for all ages. Maybe it's the bear? There's nothing special or different in the plot, it's just like movies for kids. There's a conflict when Paddington is arrested, but all ends well because *SPOILER* he gets reunited with his family, and Buchanan doesn't get the book and gets knocked out on a train somewhere. ALSO, Paddington finally is reunited with his Aunt Lucy. It was the cutest and most heartwarming thing ever. There's also a great scene where Paddington is stuck underwater and Mrs. Brown (Sally Hawkins) dives down to save him. Hawkins is then underwater once again, holding hands with an animal. Remind you of any scene? Having to do with shapes and water? Moving on.... the villains in Paddington are always great. First Nicole Kidman, and now Hugh Grant. I think it helps the movie tend to all ages, because those are two actors that everyone knows and loves, acting in a children's movie alongside a bear. It's a gem. Paddington 2 may be one of the only instances that I liked the sequel better than the original. If you loved Paddington, you'll really love this, and even if you haven't seen the first one, odds are you'll still love this movie.
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AuthorCasey Land Archives
January 2018
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