This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 204! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey friends,
So, I finally got around to watching “Paddington,” the 2014 movie directed by Paul King. Let me tell you, it was an absolute delight from start to finish! Talk about some serious cuteness overload! This movie is the perfect mix of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud comedy.
The story follows Paddington (voiced by the ever-charming Ben Whishaw), a polite and marmalade-loving bear from deepest, darkest Peru 🇵🇪. Paddington’s world gets turned upside down when an earthquake destroys his home, forcing him to stow away on a ship to London.
Once Paddington arrives in London, it’s a bit of a disaster. Picture a bear navigating the bustling streets of London, getting into all sorts of sticky situations (quite literally).
Enter the Brown family: the ever-so-slightly uptight Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville), the kind-hearted Mrs. Brown (Sally Hawkins), and their two rambunctious children, Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin). And let’s not forget Mrs. Bird, the no-nonsense housekeeper played by Julie Walters.
When Paddington stumbles in their path, looking lost and holding a tightly gripped suitcase full of marmalade (because, priorities, right?), the Browns take him in, albeit with a healthy dose of skepticism from Mr. Brown. Paddington’s eccentricities — think overflowing baths and a talent for attracting chaos — certainly don’t make things easy. But Paddington’s unwavering politeness and genuine kindness slowly win over the Browns, especially Judy, who becomes his partner in crime (or should I say, marmalade-loving-adventure?).
Just when things seem settled, a villain emerges: the deliciously evil Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman with some seriously impressive icy stares). Millicent, a museum curator and taxidermist with a chillingly cold heart is hell-bent on adding Paddington to her stuffed collection. She’s creepy in that classic villain way, and her scenes add just the right amount of tension to balance out the fluff.
Now, here’s the thing: the plot itself is pretty straightforward. But what makes “Paddington” truly special is the way it’s executed. The film is a delightful blend of live-action and CGI, with Paddington himself being a CGI masterpiece. His clumsy antics and expressive eyes had me snorting with laughter throughout the entire movie.
But “Paddington” isn’t just about the laughs. There’s this beautiful message about finding family in the most unexpected places and accepting those who are different. The Browns’ journey from skepticism to embracing Paddington as one of their own is genuinely touching.
Oh, and did I mention the cameos? Because there’s a hilarious one from Peter Capaldi (pre-Doctor Who days!) that had me grinning from ear to ear.
So yeah, “Paddington” is a gem of a movie that’s perfect for all ages. Whether you’re young or just young at heart, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this endearing bear and his London adventures. It’s got lots of laughs, heart, and a whole lot of marmalade.
I’ll be back tomorrow with another movie recommendation that (hopefully) won’t involve any taxidermy.
Catch you on the flip side,
Roger