Paddington 2

"Well Paddington's not like that. He looks for the good in all of us and somehow, he finds it! It's why he makes friends wherever he goes. And it's why Windsor Gardens is a happier place whenever he's around. He wouldn't hesitate if any of us needed help! So stand aside, Mr. Curry. 'Cause we're coming through."

Filmology Rating: 3 out of 4

It’s been three years since we last visited Darkest Peru and took a journey to London with Paddington Brown.  While those three years have brought incredible happiness to those in Paddington’s life, it has been a rather grim few years for most people.  With life being filled with political turmoil, natural disasters, and mass shootings happening on a regular basis it’s reassuring to know that Paddington will always have his sense of earnestness and his hunger for marmalade even with a world that seems to be on the edge of chaos.

Paddington, voiced again by Ben Whishaw, has become accustomed to his life in London with the Browns living a rather vibrant life bringing a sense of joy to everyone he meets.  Paddington has one wish and that is to get a pop up book of London for his Aunt Lucy who is turning 100,  but he doesn’t seem to have nearly enough money to afford it.  While Paddington takes a job as a window cleaner the book is mysteriously stolen with paw prints and marmalade being found at the scene of the crime framing Paddington for the crime.  Paddington is sent to prison for ten years while the Browns desperately look for the real thief so they can help Paddington have his life of freedom.   

Words alone cannot describe the charm and earnestness that is felt during Paddington 2.  It simply feels like you are being transported back to your childhood years where everyone was innocent and willing to lend a helping hand.  As Aunt Lucy used to say “If you’re kind and polite the world will be right” which use to be the ideology that we were all instilled with.  It goes back to the simple Golden Rule spoken in Matthew 7:12 “do to others as you would have them do to you.”  It’s reassuring that a bear from Darkest Peru can practice his theology better than most Catholics can, hopefully those who have lost their way in the dark will see Paddington 2 as a wake up call that they are not practicing what they preach, but I digress.  The point that I’m trying to make is that Paddington brings out the best in everyone and adds a glimmer of hope to their day by doing simple things like: making a spare sandwich for someone in need or making sure a neighbor doesn’t forget his keys.  Those simple acts of kindness can have the biggest impact on people and make their days.  

While it’s clear that the ideology of the film is something that I strongly believe in, that alone would not make for a compelling film.  The technical aspects of Paddington 2 are simply a marvel.  The score by Dario Marianelli, who also scored Darkest Hour and The Boxtrolls, is whimsical and light which alone could transport you to more innocent days.  The production design by Gary Williams, who also did the design for the first film, is awe inspiring with its use of color in subtle ways that convey the tone of the scene in a heartbeat.  Those who are looking to be overly pessimistic toward Paddington 2 will claim that the film is blatantly ripping off Wes Anderson, director of Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel, and in reality can you really have too much Anderson in your life?  While that is a weak defense I rather have overly stylistic films with substance than a film that is incredibly bland and offers substance.   

The cast of Paddington 2 is phenomenal with not a single actor being a weak link. Hugh Grant continues to prove how versatile of an actor he can be with yet another amazing performance.  Like Matthew McConaughey, it proves that once these actors leave behind the terrible romantic comedies that made them famous they can go on to be true thespians who captive and entertain audiences of every gender and age, rather than a set demographic who usually turns out for romantic comedies.  Another standout is Brendan Gleeson as Knuckles McGinty.  Gleeson is best known to the general populous as Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter films but I have always been a fan of his more dramatic work in films like Calvary.  It’s outstanding to see Gleeson turn in a phenomenal performance where one could imagine a lesser actor slumming in a bland performance for a “children's” movie just to get a paycheck, but you never question the authenticity of Gleeson as the prison cook.   

During the final moments of the film I felt that feeling of happiness and optimism overtaking every fiber of my soul which resulted in tears of happiness.  Paddington Brown clearly brings out the best in everyone that he sees in the cinematic world, but it’s reassuring to see that he also brings out the best of us who watch the film.  Paddington 2 will make even the most cynical people leave with a small on their face and happiness and kindness in their heart which is something the world seems to be missing nowadays.  

Rating: See It

-Jonny G