I was a kid of the 70s and 80s, without BBC tv, so didn’t see the Paddington Bear series, which was phenomenally popular among children. The books were rarely left on library shelves and the merchandise that followed; of the cuddly Paddington Bear, probably sold in numerous figures.
This big budget movie, ‘Paddington’ is a great opportunity for children to get to know who their parents and grandparents grew up loving. It also gives those older folk the chance to relive their childhood.
The 95 minute movie is a live-action tale, which begins in black and white to tell the story of the little bear’s humble beginning in the Peruvian rainforest. He grew up to be British because of the influence of an explorer who visited his forest when he was a baby. An earthquake makes Paddington homeless and adrift, so he heads across the world to seek a home in Britain.
He lands in Paddington Station, and finds it to be a much different jungle than what he had left in Peru. Then he meets a family called the Browns, and his life in London gets more exciting and adventurous.
‘Paddington’ is a nice charming tale, with a dollop of terror involved, when a taxidermist comes looking for the little bear. Nicole Kidman, who is the probably the biggest name in the movie, gives it her best as the chilling taxidermist. Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville plays the strait laced Mr. Brown, who stretches his ability to manage a new bear in the family. Julie Walters (Educating Rita) makes a rare movie appearance as the family’s housekeeper. Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) appears as a pathetic and contrary next door neighbour. A face from tv’s past, Geoffrey Palmer (Butterflies and As Time Goes By) appears in a cameo role.
A time with Paddington in an almost animated middle class London is a nice way to spend 95 minutes.
David Flynn
