Writer-director Paul King has done it again! Paddington 2 is as sweet and fun as the original and then some. A third installment of Paddington was announced before production for Paddington 2 began. If this level of writing and production can be maintained, having a Paddington film every four years or so for a while longer will be nice.
Paddington’s new adventure begins as his aunt Lucy’s birthday approaches. The charming, London-dwelling, marmalade-loving bear finds the perfect gift for her – an antique pop-up book of London. As he works to be able to buy the book, it is mysteriously stolen from the antique shop. Due to a misunderstanding, Paddington is arrested for stealing the book. Paddington, the Browns, and friends must find the true culprit as Paddington’s freedom, his community, and aunt Lucy’s birthday hang in the balance.
The truly stellar cast of the first installment, which includes Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, Happy Go-Lucky), Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), and Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who), is joined by household-name actors Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson.
Grant delivers a superb performance as fading stage actor Phoenix Buchanan. Not only is Buchanan a colorful character, Grant’s evident enjoyment in playing the character makes his performance incredibly fun to watch.
Paddington 2 is a movie for the entire family, and I dare say, entire communities. It is encouraging to see a film offering so much more than just entertainment. This film definitely entertains, yet it also explicitly offers a myriad of positive messages and portrayals of healthy interpersonal relationships.
It is great to see the Brown family, who can represent the average modern family, through Paddington’s perspective. In this way, the film is able to capture Mr. Brown’s midlife crisis and his children’s journeys through adolescence in a teasingly humorous, yet kind manner that promotes understanding instead of criticism.
Paddington is a small bear that makes a big difference wherever he goes. Aunt Lucy always said, “If we are kind and polite the world will be right.” Paddington truly believes and intentionally lives this. That is what makes him an integral part of his community. It is what makes his world a better place. It is why Mr. Brown proclaims, “Paddington looks for the good in all of us and somehow, he finds it! It’s why he makes friends wherever he goes. And it’s why Windsor Gardens is a happier place whenever he’s around.” Paddington really works for the shalom of his community, and his community knows and loves him for it.
The Psalmist sings about how tangibly enjoyable communal shalom can be in Psalm 133. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe! It is as if the dew of Hermon were streaming down onto the mountains of Zion.” It is, if I may respectfully add, like the Shalom that can be fostered and experienced from the simple kindness of a friend sharing a sweet marmalade sandwich.
If you want some lighthearted laughter, beary-slapstick silliness, and a thoughtful, heartwarming story, do watch and enjoy Paddington 2. You won’t regret it.
