Film Review: "Paddington 2" (2017).

"Paddington is back. Join the adventure" in Paddington 2. This directed by Paul King, adapted by King and Simon Farnaby, and based on the stories of the character Paddington Bear, created by Michael Bond. It is the sequel to Paddington (2014). Paddington is happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it's up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.

In April 2015, producer David Heyman confirmed that a sequel was in development. In October 2015, it was announced that King would return to direct, and pen the script with Farnaby. By late October 2016, it was announced that Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Imelda Staunton would return to reprise their roles. In addition, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Joanna Lumley, Richard Ayoade, and Noah Taylor rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in late June 2017. Filming took place throughout England, especially at at Pinewood Studios and Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden. Bond died on the last day of filming, and six months before the release of this movie, at the age of ninety-one.

The film stars Whishaw, Bonneville, Hawkins, Grant, Gleeson, Harris, Joslin, Walters, Broadbent, Capaldi, Lumley, Staunton, Gambon, Ayoade, and Taylor. Better story, better acting, better characters and better effects. All they need is to sort out the dialogue next time, and everyone's a winner. The three main leads, especially Whishaw, Bonneville, and Hawkins, have gained in confidence and grown nicely into their roles and all of the regular ensemble from the first film return.

Though perhaps more enchanting for younger audiences, Paddington 2 is nevertheless both a little darker and livelier than its predecessor, expanding and improving upon the first film's universe. King does a real wonderful job of being faithful to the story but also taking it into a cinematic era. It is funnier and more exciting than its predecessor, and adorned with some of the most stunning special effects ever. This time, the adventures of the world's most famous young wizard come mixed with a stiff dose of the menacing. Have no fear, you legions of Paddington fans: the film is a solid step forward in the movie adaptations of Bond's much-read books. The film is good enough to satisfy hard-core fans, even if it falls short of being truly transporting moviemaking. Despite its sophomoric awkwardness, the film is a welcome delivery of childlike wonder for a planet of ever- increasing ugliness. The film isn't perfect, but it's everything it should be: fun, exciting, humorous and stirring.

Simon says Paddington 2 receives:

Also, see my review for Paddington.