We’ve seen plenty of beloved children’s properties get the CG reboot treatment lately, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to The Smurfs. The latest is Paddington, but unlike those previous adaptations, this one surprises as a refreshing effort that does most things correctly. The movie takes its time to develop characters. It’s startlingly sweet without being overly schmaltzy. And it has jokes for both kids and adults. Best of all, it doesn’t feel like an extended commercial for a children’s toy or a product line.
Introduced via a hilarious newsreel shot by an English explorer, Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) is part of a unique breed of talking bear found in Peru. After an earthquake devastates his homeland, the youngster is sent abroad to London. Hoping to find the friendly traveler who visited long ago, Paddington discovers that polite British manners haven’t survived in the ensuing decades. Thankfully, he’s temporarily taken in by Mrs. Brown (Sally Hawkins), much to the chagrin of her stuffy husband (Hugh Bonneville). As the bear struggles to locate the explorer and adapt to life in the big city, he becomes the unwitting target of a crazed animal taxidermist (Nicole Kidman).
The bear is clearly a CG creation that isn’t exactly photo-realistic, yet this doesn’t seem to matter. The voice performance of Whishaw connects, making the bear a sympathetic protagonist. And the total commitment on the part of the human cast (that also includes Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Peter Capaldi) assists greatly in selling the illusion. While youngsters may enjoy the broad, slapstick gags featuring the clumsy guest causing chaos in the family home, that element isn’t as engaging for older audience members. Thankfully, all of the adults are excellent and just as much (if not more) of the comedy is derived from the witty interplay between the humans and bear.
Particularly enjoyable is the amusingly strained relationship between Paddington and Mr. Brown. Besides the humor evident in the fact that no one seems even a little taken aback by a talking animal, Bonneville adds more eccentric hilarity as the dryly disapproving and uptight risk analyst family patriarch. Flummoxed by the chaos caused by the new houseguest with a “worrying marmalade habit,” Brown’s playfully frustrated mannerisms and reactions are entertaining to watch. Certain to garner a chuckle is this stuffed-shirt’s back-story that is revealed in an unexpected flashback sequence.
This relationship also helps cement many of the themes of the story. In essence, Paddington is a new immigrant treated less-than-hospitably at times and occasionally with suspicion. The story subtly deals with these issues and promotes the importance of tolerance, understanding and trust (not that the lead can’t hold his own with a “hard stare” when criticisms become too harsh). And the movie’s photography looks absolutely incredible. Significant care is taken with the colorful interior sets and production design, making the movie marvelous just to look at.
It’s hard to imagine the film turning out any more charming. While there are a few juvenile moments, the majority of it works for all ages and the ideas are efficiently delivered (a word of warning to parents of young kids: there is a death implied early in the film, although it is handled in a very subtle manner). Obviously, this reviewer can’t predict the reaction of small children. But as an adult, Paddington is a wildly colorful and enjoyable fable. It’s one of the most enjoyable children’s films in recent memory.