Paddington 2

Originally published Feb 27, 2025

In the words of Nicolas Cage, “Paddington 2 is incredible.” I could honestly end the review here because I’m not sure what I else I can add, but I’ll try.

After settling in with the Brown family, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is set on buying a special pop-up book for his Aunt Lucy’s (Imelda Staunton) 100th birthday. Things take a turn for the worst when the book is stolen and Paddington is framed for the crime. While his family hunts for the real culprit, Paddington’s kindness and manners prevail, improving the prison and even forming friendships with the other prisoners.

Paddington 2 is simultaneously a movie you should and shouldn’t take too seriously. The cartoonish hijinks and stakes are delightfully ludicrous, yet you buy into them due to the pure heart that underlies it all. The story, editing, cinematography and music were superb, but I was most taken in by the cast. Paddington is simply the best main character in any movie; you laugh at his naïveté one minute and the next you’re inspired by him to be a better person. Similarly, the lengths the Brown Family will go to for Paddington are heartwarming. Each member (Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, etc.) has their time to shine as individuals while sharing believably familial chemistry. Knuckles McGinty (Brendan Gleeson) and his friendship with Paddington made for some of the best laughs, while Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant) is everything you could want in a campy villain: amusingly sly yet believably threatening.

Ultimately, the true appeal of Paddington 2 is in its heart. In a world so beaten down by bitterness, it’s good to remember what Aunt Lucy said: “If we’re kind and polite, the world will be right.” I’ll try my best to live by that lesson. How about you?

Rating: 9.9/10