Review Summary: An old-fashioned delight.
I remember renting the first Paddington and not loving it as much as the critics did. Mostly it was because I never read the books as a child, and didn't have that familiarity of the character in mind. Even upon rewatching it before seeing this sequel, I found it to be a pretty good, charming kids' movie (not without its' flaws). But, it wasn't something I would consider a classic.
So, you can imagine my expectations for the sequel weren't all that much. In the end, however, I can say that those expectations were exceeded a little. I enjoyed Paddington 2, even more so than its' predecessor. At least it felt more charming, more interesting and more entertaining than its' predecessor did.
Part of that is because the movie is so well-paced. It is true that the story itself is fairly straightforward and predictable. But, the way the mystery is cracked and how all the story threads wind up is so flat-out entertaining and enjoyable. The humor attempts are honest and clean. And while it's not consistently funny, it doesn't really resort to overly-silly bathroom humor or adult innuendo to try and keep both kids and adults entertained.
The cast, both old and new characters, are wonderful. As Paddington himself, Ben Whishaw voices and captures his polite, kind, and cuddly essence so well. Hugh Bonneville gives a multi-faceted personality to Mr. Brown (now in a middle-aged crisis), while Sally Hawkins (fresh off her acclaimed performance in The Shape of Water) gives a loving and yet adventurous persona to Mrs. Brown. Julie Walters shines again with some comedy relief as Mrs. Bird. Part of me was thinking that the movie could fall into the trap of spending too much time on Paddington in prison and shoving the Browns to the backseat. I am pleased to report that director Paul King juggles the characters very well. All are given very sufficient screentime.
As for the newcomers, Brendan Gleeson gives a memorable performance as prison chef Nuckels. He befriends Paddington and shows to have a hidden soft side. The standout actor here, however, is Hugh Grant. His villain role here is more entertaining and interesting than Nicole Kidman's "Cruella de Vil" wannabe in the original (and he doesn't fall into the kids' movie villain trap of no backstory). Featuring multiple disguises and a hammed-up persona, he's such a fun on-screen presence.
The visual production, like the first film, is very appealing. From the friendly (and homely) look of Windsor Gardens to even the prison itself, the film carries a look that brims with a children's book style-panache. There's also old-fashioned practical effects and charms, such as a pop-up book that leads into a stunning sequence, and a giant organ/music box/vault that is a clever creation of its own. Besides Paddington himself and one obvious sequence, the movie doesn't rely on CGI-related effects too much.
Speaking of that 'obvious sequence', the climactic train action sequence is too over-the-top (considering the film's light-hearted tone), especially towards its' ending. Not long after that, a garish, exotic musical number in the prison itself is used for the end credits. While it might not be too far gone from Grant's dramatic character, it felt jarringly out of left field. The end credits might would have been better off with just a short comedic scene inside the villain's prison cell.
Perhaps the film's biggest positive, however, is its' strong messages on showing kindness to others as well as the importance of a hard work ethic to achieve your goals. It's rare we run into a lead character on a children's movie that is such a great example for kids to see.
And, in the end, Paddington 2 is a delightfully fine example of what a movie tailored for the whole family looks like. It engages and entertains all ages while rarely losing its' old-fashioned feel and look. While it may not live up to the best family movies of all-time, it still manages to get 2018 started on the right foot (or, in this case, bear paw).
Score: 8.2/10
Content Concerns for Family Viewing: Paddington 2 is rated PG for "some action and mild rude humor". This is a pretty safe option for most families with not much to worry about. The "over-the-top" action scene I mentioned is mildly intense, involving some close calls and a sword taken out (a gun is popped out, but its revealed to only fire plastic darts). One train car crashes into a river, and someone nearly drowns. Someone is killed by being cut from her high-wire act (we see her fall towards the camera, before her lifeless body is shown on the ground). Some slapstick pratfalls from Paddington. The back of someone's head is shaved off partially.
Paddington cleans his ears and nose out with electric toothbrushes. A male villain cross-dresses as a nun (in disguise to steal something), only to get a male security to call the 'nun' "unusually attractive". Someone takes the term "nice buns" (original intent being a restaurant food) out of context through a phone call. Someone says "oh my g**" once.
