‘Paddington’ a delight for the entire family
Initially I had no desire to see “Paddington” in 2014 for any reason other than to review it for this series. Having only a passing knowledge of the children's book “Paddington Bear,” I assumed it was purely for kids and I wouldn't have any interest. But then it did amazingly well at the box office. And people were talking about it. And I said to myself, “Really...? Maybe I should see it then.” Then, four years later, “Paddington 2” hits theaters and even more people are talking about it, namely popular comedians from one of my favorite podcasts, “Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo.” And I tend to take their reviews to heart. So, the other night when the wife wasn't feeling well, we snuggled up in bed and watched the first “Paddington,” and I'm happy to say it is delightful!
We begin with an unknown explorer’s voice over an old film reel. He’s exploring darkest Peru and comes upon a previously unknown species of bear. As he’s about to take aim and claim his specimen prize, another bear playfully takes his gun away and removes a scorpion from his shirt. He learns the bears are incredibly intelligent, can learn English, and have a perhaps more than slight affinity for marmalade. When wishing them farewell, he tells them they will always be welcome should they ever come to London.
Years later, his bear pals Lucy and Pastuzo now live with their nephew (voiced by Ben Whishaw, “Skyfall,” “The Lobster”), happily spending their days together and patiently waiting for Marmalade Day, when the oranges are ripe. Tragedy strikes when an earthquake rocks the forest, forcing Lucy and her nephew underground into their shelter. Pastuzo isn’t as lucky. Lucy decides to send her nephew to London stowed aboard a cargo ship while she will move into the Home for Retired Bears. With only Pastuzo’s red hat and a suitcase full of marmalade (oh, and an emergency marmalade sandwich in his hat, just in case), the small bear makes his voyage across the sea to London and directly to Paddington Station where he does his best to find someone who will give him a home.
He’s met by the Brown family who takes him in “only for the night,” as Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville, “Downton Abbey”) insists. However Mrs. Brown (Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”) says he can stay as long as he needs and also names him Paddington, after the station where they met. This scene also features the first laugh-out-loud joke of the movie, “You want to name him ketchup?!”
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