Paddington 2 (2017) [Blu-ray]
Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline: This January everyone's favorite bear is back for seconds

Paddington 2 finds Paddington 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 hundredth 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... Helmed by twice BAFTA nominated director Paul King, Paddington 2 is co-produced by multi award-winning David Heyman / Heyday Films (producer of all eight of the Harry Potter films, Gravity, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them) and StudioCanal, who will also distribute in the UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Paddington is based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children's stories by British author Michael Bond, which have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, been translated into over 40 languages and captured the imagination of children and adults around the globe.

Storyline: 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. Written by STUDIOCANAL

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by By Teo Bugbee on April 23, 2018 -- Fittingly for a benevolent live-action children’s film, “Paddington 2” begins with a gift.

The amiable bear Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) finds a one-of-a-kind pop-up book filled with intricate illustrations of all the landmarks of London, and he plans to send the book to Peru as a birthday present for his beloved aunt Lucy.

This treasure will eventually be stolen by the film’s dastardly villain, the egomaniacal actor Phoenix Buchanan (a delightful Hugh Grant), who hopes to use the book as a map to riches. Buchanan’s interference kicks off an adventure that sends Paddington through a trial, a prison sentence, an escape and a daring pursuit by train.

But before the book becomes a plot point, the movie pauses to bring it to life through Paddington’s eyes. In a bravura sequence of mixed digital effects, Paddington imagines himself and Lucy as miniatures wandering through the book’s pop-up cardboard pages. He waves from within a paper doll crowd as Lucy arrives on a folding boat. The camera swirls, the pages ruffle and the streets of London unfurl to reveal illustrated lamps and paper cars.

The introduction of the pop-up book is an early peak for the film, but it is far from the last sequence of arresting originality. The great surprise of “Paddington 2” is that the director, Paul King, creates a whole world of equally adorable objects, any of which might spring to new life with Paddington’s touch. Pipes become telephones, blankets become hot air balloons and people become kinder, happier versions of themselves.

In one such act of transformation, a group of prisoners, lifted from gloom by Paddington’s marmalade sandwiches and pink prison uniforms, sing calypso to mark his contributions to the penitentiary: “Life would be easier, time would be breezier, if you loved your neighbor.”

Neighborliness is next to godliness in “Paddington 2.” It’s telling that the film’s villain is a performer whose narcissism prohibits collaboration, a man who finds his neighbors a nuisance. For Phoenix Buchanan, the only object worth examining is his own mirror. By contrast, Mr. King and his excellent team of actors and animators spin good writing and seamless digital effects into Rococo children’s entertainment. The gags don’t accumulate; they tessellate. Yet the tone betrays neither effort nor arrogance — pride being a deadly sin for comedy. Instead “Paddington 2” follows the guileless lead of its earnest, ursine little tramp, suggesting tactfully that cinematic ingenuity is another way of showing good manners. Highly recommended.

[CSW] -3.4- Surprisingly charming, cute, and enjoyable. The cast returns for another warm fuzzy adventure of Paddington, a talking, polite....yet clumsy bear. When I first saw trailers for the first film, I thought "Oh, that looks much too juvenile". Well I was completely wrong, and it won me over nearly immediately. The 2nd movie has a little less humor and a little more adventure but JUST as much HEART as the first. Sequels usually are not that great. Not just for kids. Hugh Grant is very funny in this one. Who knew? The closing sequence with the dance in prison is a hoot. This little bear will win you over, I'm sure of it.
[V5.0-A4.5] MPEG-4 AVC - D-Box enhanced this movie.


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