It has been a while since I last saw a heartwarming animation family movie based on a book series – with British humor. Paddington is a total success.
Overall performance is excellent: good plot and script, great art direction and visual effects. Superb performance by all cast with humor. The facial expression and fluffy fur of Paddington the talking bear is just seamless.
The whole plot is quite smooth with a British explorer going the Darkest Peru and befriended two bears, teaching them English and British manner. Forty years later, Paddington left his birthplace as requested from his aunt to go to London to look for the explorer as he would be well taken care of.
The vivid colors paints the story like a moving picture book, where we follow Paddington's adventure in London. The story flows beautifully as Paddington writes to his hometown introducing the Brown family who initially puts him up for one night but ends up developing a strong bond with him.
Totally enjoyable ride and London seems to be so appealing – with a combination of "Singing in the Rain" and "Mary Poppins" (the umbrella!). It also shows a unique sense of British humor seen from a child's perspective such as "stand on right" and "dogs must be carried."
The structure of the whole production is rather tight. It is so meticulously crafted that not a single frame is wasted and all characters, even the minor ones, such as Mrs Bird (Julie Walters), and their weird neighbor Mr Curry (Peter Capaldi), or even the pigeons all have important roles to play. Everything is connected and many elements appear at least twice to establish a linkage: the pigeons, Mrs Bird, doll house, attic, etc.
Of course the family members are excellent: Mr Brown (Hugh Bonneville), a risk analyst looks stern and always quotes statistics to protect his children. He steals the show when he disguises as a maid to look for information for Paddington. The smiley Mrs Brown (Sally Hawkins), an illustrator, adores her husband who used to be much wilder in his younger days. Children Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) are as adorable kids as you can get.
Millicent (Nicole Kidman), the villain, is like a witch clad in white. She is haunting and scary in her figure hugging outfits and high heels. But like all family movies the story will end on a positive note and prompt you to like it so much that you want to read the book and have marmalade.
The movie also stresses on good manner (the bear stare!), hospitality, being honest and accept people who are different from us: all things we have learnt in kindergarten and need to practice throughout our life. Highly recommended for all ages.
Overall performance is excellent: good plot and script, great art direction and visual effects. Superb performance by all cast with humor. The facial expression and fluffy fur of Paddington the talking bear is just seamless.
The whole plot is quite smooth with a British explorer going the Darkest Peru and befriended two bears, teaching them English and British manner. Forty years later, Paddington left his birthplace as requested from his aunt to go to London to look for the explorer as he would be well taken care of.
The vivid colors paints the story like a moving picture book, where we follow Paddington's adventure in London. The story flows beautifully as Paddington writes to his hometown introducing the Brown family who initially puts him up for one night but ends up developing a strong bond with him.
Totally enjoyable ride and London seems to be so appealing – with a combination of "Singing in the Rain" and "Mary Poppins" (the umbrella!). It also shows a unique sense of British humor seen from a child's perspective such as "stand on right" and "dogs must be carried."
The structure of the whole production is rather tight. It is so meticulously crafted that not a single frame is wasted and all characters, even the minor ones, such as Mrs Bird (Julie Walters), and their weird neighbor Mr Curry (Peter Capaldi), or even the pigeons all have important roles to play. Everything is connected and many elements appear at least twice to establish a linkage: the pigeons, Mrs Bird, doll house, attic, etc.
Of course the family members are excellent: Mr Brown (Hugh Bonneville), a risk analyst looks stern and always quotes statistics to protect his children. He steals the show when he disguises as a maid to look for information for Paddington. The smiley Mrs Brown (Sally Hawkins), an illustrator, adores her husband who used to be much wilder in his younger days. Children Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) are as adorable kids as you can get.
Millicent (Nicole Kidman), the villain, is like a witch clad in white. She is haunting and scary in her figure hugging outfits and high heels. But like all family movies the story will end on a positive note and prompt you to like it so much that you want to read the book and have marmalade.
The movie also stresses on good manner (the bear stare!), hospitality, being honest and accept people who are different from us: all things we have learnt in kindergarten and need to practice throughout our life. Highly recommended for all ages.