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Was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, to be honest, after seeing the trailer which gave off the vibe that it was going to be another live-action/CGI outing with a weak script, a predictable story, cheap gags and characters we don't care about. After seeing the film, Paddington had none of those things and the trailer really did not do it justice, it may not entirely have the essence of the stories and TV series but it modernises the setting etc. very cleverly and stands very well on its own terms.
Paddington looks great, with lots of vibrant colour in the sets(the forest in the prologue is beautiful as well) and with photography that's not haphazard or sloppy. Paddington himself is brilliantly animated and the complete opposite of cheap. The music has its playful-in the humour/slap-stick- and soothing)in the emotional parts) moments, while the script is a sheer delight with deliciously witty dialogue that children and adults alike will understand and enjoy. The story is also a winner, the comedy scenes are just hilarious and very well-timed, something that will absolutely delight children, and the adult jokes are equally sly with inspired references(in a visual way) to the likes of Wes Anderson. Paddington also has a lot of heart and warmth, there are some emotional moments and they were very touchingly done without being cloying, and there is even a bit of suspense thrown in without being too dark or out of place.
In Paddington, I found myself really engaging with the characters even Mr Brown. The strongest being Paddington who is incredibly endearing, it's almost impossible not to love him. Ben Wishaw also voices him absolutely beautifully, bringing a calm, youthful quality to it. Hugh Bonneville is appropriately uptight and stern while also bringing humour and warmth to Mr Brown. Sally Hawkins is compassionate, the children are good and Nicole Kidman is both amusing and menacing(wasn't crazy about the wig though. Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters play their roles expertly, Walters especially is a hoot as Mrs Bird, while Imelda Staunton and Michael Gambon while limited in appearance bring heart to their roles. My only complaint that Mr Curry should have had more screen time and the film could have stayed truer to the character in the stories and series. Peter Capaldi does a good job, but the character and his acrimonious relationship with Paddington was one of the best things of the series and Mr Curry instead seemed more of a plot device, with the relationship between them barely explored.
To conclude, a delightful family film with something for everyone. 9/10 Bethany Cox
9/10
