Amid all of the action-packed or dramatic movies released this past weekend, there was a lighthearted and quite clever film featuring a familiar, marmalade-loving bear named Paddington.
The live-action film of the same name chronicles Paddington’s journey as he adjusts from the jungles of Peru to the hustle and bustle of London. After losing his uncle in an earthquake and his aunt to a retirement home, Paddington eventually finds a family of his own in the Brown family.
At first, the family isreluctant to take in a talking bear. They grow to love Paddington and realize their family just wouldn’t be complete without him, but the happy ending doesn’t come easily. What kind of movie would this be if there weren’t a villain standing in the way?
Nicole Kidman plays Millicent, an evil taxidermist, who’s determined to add the rare talking bear to her collection. Millicent’s father discovered this rare breed of bear during an expedition to Peru, but he refused to stuff them after he befriended the friendly family.
The film’s plotline is rather simple, but it makes for a charming film that children of all ages will definitely enjoy. Adults may also enjoy what this classic children’s story has to offer.
Plotline aside, one of the most striking features of this film is its setting. Each scene’s setting is ornate, rich with color and full of life. To put it simply, it’s beautiful. The Brown family’s London home features a spiral staircase complemented by a massive tree painted on the wall that follows the stairs upward. There’s also a crowded antique store and Geographer’s Guild building, where Paddington searches for the name of the explorer who discovered his family, each bringing their own distinct character to the film.
The costumes were also a high point. Paddington was dressed in his traditional blue coat and red hat, complete with an emergency marmalade sandwich. Millicent’s evil outfits reflected her career. She first appears in the film dressed from head-to-toe in white, which makes her look like a surgeon. She later transitions to outfits with leather accents and even rocks a pair of snake- and leopard-print stilettos.
The set design and costume department aren’t the only things that made this film enjoyable.
It seems nearly every children’s film now features some subtle humor for adults, and “Paddington” is no exception. Adults won’t feel like they’re suffering through an hour and a half of a talking CGI bear with a British accent.
The film also offers age-appropriate humor for children. It seems like a majority of children’s television shows and films are centered around sarcasm and snide comments, but “Paddington” proves itself to be equally as funny for children without those tactics. The film’s humor is silly, clever and intelligent.
Paddington’s naive antics involve him using toothbrushes to clean his ears, drinking from the toilet and even riding the bathtub down the stairs after he’s flooded the house. These situations are sure to produce a giggle from a younger audience.
Overall, “Paddington” is more than just a film for kids. It offers a little something for every audience member old and young alike.