Paddington

Once in a while we are offered a children's story in a film version and we become the victors of it. All the way back to "Snow White", then later seeing the wonderful "Matilda" were amazing film versions of the stories. Now we have "Paddington" to add to that ever growing list.

Beloved bear Paddington gets the big screen treatment in this family film adapted from Michael Bond's enduring children's book series. As the story opens, Peruvian bear Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) leaves the Peruvian forests and makes his way to London, where he gets lost until he meets the benevolent Brown family-- Henry (Hugh Bonneville), his wife Mary (Sally Hawkins), and their children, Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin). Meanwhile, as the curious bear settles into his new life of domestic bliss, a scheming museum taxidermist, Millicent (Nicole Kidman) realizes the rarity of this bear and embarks on a personal mission to capture him and get him stuffed and mounted. Can the Brown family save Paddington before Millicent gets her clutches on the bear in time?

Others to round out the cast are Jim Broadbent as Mr. Gruber, an antique dealer, Michael Gambon as Uncle Pastuzo, Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy, Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird, who lives with the Browns, Peter Capaldi as Mr. Curry, a neighbor of the Browns, Matt Lucas as Joe, Tim Downie as Mongomery Clyde and Geoffrey Palmer as Head Geographer.

This was whimsically directed by Paul King ("Under One Roof" (TV movie) '07, "Bunny and the Bull" '09, "The Pajama Men: Last Stand to Reason" (TV movie) '11) plus other TV. Even though this was a live action film, it was presented in a feel of being animated, because of how this director was able to exact that certain emotion and feeling these actors exuded. Plus the production design and costumes exuded that animated feel due to the bright colors used and how they conveyed the look needed. It was also written by King based on a screen story by Hamish McColl and King which is based on the character "Paddington Bear" by Bond as mentioned above. What a great story! This script and storyline were written as fluid as water flowing, so keeping up with this story was virtually effortless. The cast was excellent, especially Broadbent and Kidman. The more the villainous Millicent (Kidman) hammed it up the funnier it was, which tells me that she must've had a hoot portraying this character. All the characters were definitely over-the-top, but this is based on a children's story, and why didn't the different people seem more disturbed to the fact that the bear spoke, but again, this is based on a children's story which is fantasy. This was so well executed that I'd love to see another 'Paddington' film with another storyline--the sky's the limit.

If you're in the mood to see something that's purely entertaining, visually stunning, with a great story and cast, this is the film for you. Because at the end of the day, this 'ride' will leave you smiling well beyond exiting the multiplex.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                Rated: PG                              95mins.