Paddington 2 (Gen) - Movie Review

The little red-hatted bear returns to the big screen after an unbelievable three years. Time flies, and in 2014, ‘Paddington’ (the movie) was big box-office and a critical hit.
The very English setting of ‘Paddington 2’, which is mostly modern, but yet which could be set any time in the past 50 years is the world that Paddington the bear has moved to after leaving South America in the last movie.  At this stage, and after a lot of adventures, he is living happily with the Brown family in the middle of London, and the friendly bear has become a respected citizen.
One day he visits an old shop to find a present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100^th birthday.  His Aunt is still living in South America, and Paddington agrees with the shopkeeper to save and buy a pop up picture book of London.  However Paddington finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when the book is stolen, and he unwittingly becomes a convicted criminal.
Most of the cast has returned for this second feature film, which is based on the books of Michael Bond.    Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Brown is probably the standout performance of the lot, alongside the brilliant Julie Walters as the housekeeper, Mrs. Bird, writes David Flynn.

Hugh Grant makes a welcome return to movies as a funfair performer, Phoenix Buchanan.  

Through the cast list there are also people like Jim Broadbent, Tom Conti and Peter Capaldi (one time Dr. Who), Eileen Atkins, and a special appearance by Ireland’s Brendan Gleeson.
Most of the movie is about Paddington’s search for justice, and his battle to clear his name.  There is a lot of action throughout the movie, and comedy is to the forefront and like in the first movie, it’s not just for the kids either.

‘Paddington 2’ is hilarious, but it’s not as good as the first movie.  However it’s a must for the kids, and for anyone who likes the tales of the friendly bear who lives in London.

Murder on the Orient Express (12A) - Movie Review

A claustrophobic trip in the dark and snowy Alps, on the world’s most famous train after the occurrence of a murder, is the offering on board big screens these days.
Set in 1934, this feature film based on the classic book by mystery writer, Agatha Christie is at least the third attempt for celluloid.   Hercule Poirot, the little Belgian detective with the handlebar moustache is first seen here close to the magnificent wall of Jerusalem, (probably Malta doing the doubling) solving a near impossible case.  He then realises that he needs a vacation, and he heads off to the world’s most famous train, the Orient Express.  It is the depths of winter as he goes onboard the train, and he meets a most interesting cast of characters, all of whom have seen some wealth come or go in their lives.
The cast is made up of a dream team, which is rare to see in movies today, writes David Flynn.  Poirot is played by Kenneth Branagh, who is also the director of the film, and who has publicly said he hopes this will be the first of a new movie series.  Johnny Depp plays Mr. Ratchett, who tries to hire Poirot as soon as the Orient Express takes off.  Ratchett believes his life is in danger, and it’s no secret that he isn’t proven wrong.  The train get caught in an avalanche which causes the claustrophic feeling on the train, following the expected gruesome murder.  Judi Dench, Michele Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Derek Jacobi, Daisy Ridley and Olivia Colman are among the all-star cast who joins Branagh and Depp in this version of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’.
The cinematography in the movie is second to none, and the walls and seas around ‘Jerusalem’ are simply beautiful.  Also there are superb views of the mountainous Alps.
There are one or two very good performances among the actors, but some of them are just going through the motions.  However ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is wonderful escapism on the cinema screen.