Kidzworld saw Paddington 2, another adventure for the cute, fuzzy bear from Peru who settles in with an English family. Is it a sweet, fun cinema romp? Check our movie review.
By: Lynn Barker
In Paddington 2, Paddington Bear (voice of Ben Wishaw) is happily settled in with the Brown family in London but he does miss his beloved Aunt Lucy who raised him. She’d love to visit London so when Paddington finds an amazing pop-up book with English landmarks inside, he wants to buy it. It’s terribly expensive so the bear takes on odd jobs and isn’t really successful at most of them. Meanwhile a selfish egocentric crook and former famous actor named Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant) steals the book and blames the theft on our tiny, furry hero! Can Paddington clear his name and get the book for Lucy’s 100th birthday?
Paddington knows Aunt Lucy would love the bookCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Changes and the Perfect Present
Popular in his neighborhood for his kindness, Paddington is settled in with the Brown family who have new goals. Henry (Hugh Bonneville) doesn’t get an expected promotion, Mary (Sally Hawkins) is training to swim the English Channel, Judy (Madeleine Harris) has broken up with her boyfriend and started a newspaper, Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) has turned into a typical teen guy. Paddington visits an antique shop and finds the perfect gift for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, a pop-up book on London but it is super expensive.
Paddington finds a present for LucyCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Odd Jobs and a Theft
To make enough money to buy the book, Paddington takes on several odd jobs. He makes a mess as a window cleaner and is an even worse fit as a hairdresser but he is saving money. When he almost has enough money he sees a bearded thief stealing the book from the shop. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time, the bear is accused of the theft! The real thief, washed up actor Phoenix Buchanan takes off his disguise at home. He learned of the book from Paddington and thinks it contains a map to a local treasure.
The family is sure Buchanan has many disguisesCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Locked Away
Poor Paddington is sent to prison where he lets a red sock get into the laundry turning all the black and white stripe uniforms black and pink! He does make friends with tough guy Knuckles McGinty (Brendan Gleeson), the safe-cracking cook when they bond over a love of marmalade sandwiches.
Paddington in prisonCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Back to the Browns
In the meantime, the Browns are trying to clear Paddington’s name, putting up sketches Mary made based on how Paddington described him. They learn that the stolen book leads to a fortune of the original author who had been killed by Buchanan’s grandpa but nobody ever found the riches. Buchanan is running around London trying to find clues to the hidden treasure. The Browns realize he is the thief but can’t prove it yet.
Thieving Buchanan puts on a showCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Prison Break
Back at the prison, Paddington has made the inmates much more friendly and comfortable but has trouble keeping faith when the Browns can’t prove he isn’t guilty. They are busy trying to nail Buchanan for the theft but miss visiting day, convincing sad Paddington that they’ve forgotten him. He participates in a prison break and hides on the streets avoiding the police when the rest of the inmates abandon him.
With Knuckles and gang in pinkCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Break In
Henry and Mary break into Buchanan’s house and find a secret attic with Buchanan’s many costumes. We see that the book is there too but before they can find it, Buchanan returns home. Paddington phones the Browns who assure him they haven’t forgotten him and they know Buchanan is the thief. They also arrange to meet the bear at Paddington Station where a carnival train that might house the fortune is due to leave.
The Browns get a call from escaped PaddingtonCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Happy Ending?
Will Buchanan be blamed for the book theft so that Paddington can go free? Will anyone really find the treasure? Will Paddington plus his family and friends be able to stop Buchanan? Will Knuckles and the inmates prove they do love Paddington after all? Will Lucy get her present or…something even better?
Scary Knuckles ends up Paddington's friendCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Wrapping Up
Paddington 2 is nothing short of adorable! You want to take this fuzzy little guy home with you even though he does clean out his ears with an electric toothbrush! The movie is “bigger” in scope than the 2015 film. Hugh Grant shows his versatility as a great over-the-hill actor villain and is not afraid to look really silly even wearing a dog suit at one point. All the actors are doing their best work to serve a sweet, adventurous story.
Brown Family in the crowd with PaddingtonCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
In our cynical, defensive and divided world, it’s great to celebrate a lead film character who shows us that kindness to all goes a long way toward a peaceful planet.
On the trail to the treasureCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The movie looks amazing, from costuming and sets to the fact that every interaction with this computer-generated bear seems very real. His eyes are especially “real” and express all his emotions beautifully. Paddington 2 is a funny, warm and fuzzy film for everyone and it is a feel-good treat that you should definitely take advantage of. Since the movie achieves all its goals and more, we can go five stars.
Paddington 2 Movie Rating: 
Paddington 2 Movie PosterCourtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
See Paddington 2 in theaters now!
Have Your Say
Did you see the first Paddington movie? Are you a fan of teddy bears and real bears? Do you wish everyone would strive for more kindness as Paddington does? Comment below.
