20260527-20180112-0-62443531
Critic's Rating: 4.0
Paddington 2 Story: Paddington takes up odd jobs in order to pay for a gift for his aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, which lands him in all sorts of trouble.

Paddington 2 Review: Picking up after the first film, Paddington has now become a member of the Brown family and is well integrated into their neighborhood. For his aunt’s 100th birthday, he sets his heart on a pop-up book but as he can’t afford it, the little bear takes up window-washing to make some money. Setting the film in motion, the book gets stolen and Paddington is wrongly framed for the robbery ending up in prison. Paddington and his family now need to clear his name and catch the real thief.

As plots go, this is as simple as they come but don’t let that fool you as this film has a lot to offer. To begin with, the ensemble cast features some of the best actors in the UK, along with cameos from a number of familiar faces. They are all clearly having fun in a film where hamming it up is more than welcome, although Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown has the most scene-stealing moments. Once Paddington goes to prison, we’re introduced to a bevy of odd characters. Brendan Gleeson as Knuckles McGinty – the prison cook, is particularly hot-tempered and grizzly but Paddington’s interactions with him are absolutely delightful. Amongst all the talent, Hugh Grant ends up being the most versatile of the lot, donning various personas as Phoenix Buchanan – an actor way past his prime, and with a hidden agenda. Of course, none of this would work without Ben Whishaw whose voice acting as Paddington reconfirms why he’s perfectly suited for the role.

Writer-director Paul King draws a lot of inspiration from Wes Anderson’s works in this film’s cinematography with symmetrical framing and vivid color palettes. The animation is top-notch with some awe-inspiring sequences that celebrate King’s version of London. Sure there are a lot of illogical and convenient series of events but they don’t seem out of place in a world where it’s perfectly normal for a talking bear to be accepted by society. Besides the hilarious slapstick comedy, ‘Paddington 2’ really excels in conveying its messages about accepting outsiders and always looking for the good in people. This sequel is funnier, more charming and heartwarming than the original; one you’ll enjoy tremendously, with or without kids in tow. Make sure you stay behind for the credits!

Summary / Analysis

Spoiler alert! Please do not read the following plot summary if you have not seen the film.
Now settled in with the Brown family in London's Windsor Gardens, Paddington Bear has become popular in his community as he offers people emotional support and is generally welcomed by most of the neighbours. For his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, Paddington wishes to purchase a unique pop-up book of London in Samuel Gruber's antique shop. In order to make enough money to pay for the book, Paddington performs several odd jobs which he fails at. He finally ends up being a window-cleaner.
At a carnival opening ceremony, the Browns and Paddington meet Phoenix Buchanan - a washed up actor where Paddington reveals his desire to purchase the pop-up book, which Buchanan had thought to have been lost.
When he is just a day away from having enough money for the book, Paddington witnesses it being stolen from the shop by a bearded thief, and is accused of the crime and subsequently arrested when the true culprit flees after a brief chase. Although Mr Gruber does not believe that Paddington stole the book, Paddington is wrongfully convicted and jailed as there is no evidence of the thief's existence. The thief returns home, removing a disguise to be revealed as Phoenix Buchanan.
In prison, Paddington initially has a mishap with the laundry, but soon befriends many of the initially hostile inmates, including the short-tempered chef Nuckles McGinty, who hires Paddington as his assistant when amazed by his marmalade sandwich recipe. The Browns, in the meantime, continue to try and clear Paddington's name, putting up sketches of the thief drawn by Mary based on Paddington's description. Buchanan begins using the pop-up book to locate a series of clues within London's famous landmarks, which he believes will unveil the location of a secret treasure his grandfather had known about. During their efforts to prove Paddington's innocence, the Browns soon encounter the carnival fortune teller who informs them that the stolen book leads to the hidden fortune of the original author who had once been the carnival's biggest star and had been killed by Buchanan's grandfather for the treasure, but who had only found the pop up book in place of the treasure before being stopped by the rest of the carnival people.
With Paddington around, the prison finds itself a much livelier and comfortable place, though he still struggles to remain positive when the Browns remain unable to prove his innocence. Soon convinced that Buchanan may indeed be the culprit after Mrs Brown speaking to him, the Browns organize a scheme to lure him out of his house and break in to locate the stolen book. Whilst inside, Henry and Mary find a secret attic where Buchanan's various costumes are stashed, as well as the book itself. Before they find the book and can act further, Buchanan returns home and suspects something is wrong. The Browns soon realize that they have missed the visiting session at prison, leaving a heartbroken Paddington convinced that they have forgotten him.
Paddington soon takes part in a prison break alongside several other inmates, including Nuckles, who promises to aid in proving his innocence but promptly abandons the idea in order to leave the country as a free man, inviting Paddington to come with him to fly out of the country. Paddington refuses and, whilst roaming the streets and avoiding the police, uses a public telephone to contact the Browns, who insist they would never forget him and that they know Buchanan is the real culprit. To catch him, they arrange to meet at Paddington Station, where the carnival train carrying the supposed location of the hidden fortune is due to leave shortly.
Paddington reaches the station and makes it onto the train just as it leaves, the Browns begin their pursuit in another steam train at the opposite platform. Buchanan finds the treasure in the carnival organ by playing the music keys he found at each landmark in order but before he can take it Paddington takes the pop-up book back. Henry, Mrs. Bird and Judy board the train and confront Buchanan, who overwhelms them and makes his escape.
Paddington is left stranded in the train's rear carriage after Buchanan leaves it to crash into a nearby river. Mary tries to rescue Paddington from drowning but struggles to open the locked carriage; she is soon assisted by Nuckles and the other inmates, who have a change of heart and decide to help Paddington as promised and land their small water plane on the river. Eventually, Henry knocks out Buchanan just as he tries to access the so called treasure, and he is promptly detained.
Paddington is declared innocent but becomes very ill, slipping into a coma. He wakes up on Lucy's birthday. With the book taken in as evidence by the police, Paddington is left disappointed that he was unable to get Lucy a present as promised, though soon discovers the Browns, with the help of various other people in the neighborhood who missed Paddington, made sure Lucy could come to London and see it for herself. Paddington reunites with Lucy.
Buchanan is seen to be convicted and jailed during a mid-credits scene. In prison, he makes use of his skills by performing his one-man show. Nuckles and the other inmates who saved Paddington are pardoned.
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FAQs
  1. What is the release date of 'Paddington 2'?
    Release date of Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson starrer 'Paddington 2' is 2018-01-12.
  2. Who are the actors in 'Paddington 2'?
    'Paddington 2' star cast includes Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent.
  3. Who is the director of 'Paddington 2'?
    'Paddington 2' is directed by Paul King.
  4. What is Genre of 'Paddington 2'?
    'Paddington 2' belongs to 'Comedy, Animation,Adventure,Drama' genre.
  5. In Which Languages is 'Paddington 2' releasing?
    'Paddington 2' is releasing in English.