Wes's Grade: B+Charming "Paddington" a gentle, whimsical look at finding your home
The amusing, well-made "Paddington" is the new British children's film based on the Paddington Bear children's book series, and adults and children alike should enjoy it immensely. The movie tells the story of the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) who travels to the city in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kindly Brown family (Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins) who look after him though not without some challenges along the way. "Paddington" is a delightful children's movie directed by Paul King and co-written by King and Hamish McColl that's loosely based on the book series by Michael Bond (who makes a cameo in the film). Paddington is brought to life through special-effects: CG imagery and animatronics, something that made me a little hesitant to see it, after those dreadfully unfunny and U.S.-made "Garfield" and "Marmaduke" movies that, unlike "Paddington," were not pleasant experiences. U.S. filmmakers who wish to bring characters to life in this manner should look to the enjoyable, sprightly "Paddington" as a way to do this right: a whimsical, heartwarming tone that's more smiles than guffaws. It isn't perfect, though. Like most children's films, it feels the need to have a villain, though this time it is the lovely Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman, as an evil taxidermist who wants to get her hands (literally) on to our droll, lovable hero of a bear who just wants to find a home and a real family. On that note, you have a predictable sense of where the movie is going, but it's still an entertaining ride with its heartwarming messages firmly in place, with the lovely pairing of Bonneville and Hawkins as Paddington's new family. "Paddington" is touching, satisfyingly whimsical fun for the entire family. Worth a look.
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