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Old hat.  Battered suitcase.  Duffle coat.  Marmalade.  Paddington Bear has been a fixture in children’s literature since 1958.  The character hasn’t always been fashionable, mind you, but he has always been entertaining and, when it comes to children, fashion isn’t always the best judge of timeless appeal; the charisma that Michael Bond’s creation has in spades.  Always polite and kind-hearted, the young bear and his propensity to sniff out trouble innocently is often the charm that keeps him in our goodwill.  It is this likability that British writer and director, Paul King, taps into with this live-action treatment of Britain’s lovable bear. 

Paddington, as a movie, comes across with a sense of joy that seems effortless.  While I know that is not the case, there is simply nothing wrong with the fun tone established at the beginning (and carried on throughout the brisk running time) as the bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw, the Bond’s new Q in Skyfall) struggles to fit in after leaving the deep jungles of darkest Peru.  He arrives at Paddington Station looking for a British geographer named Montgomery Clyde, who originally discovered his particular species of talking and walking bear, and is armed for the new world with only a marmalade sandwich and a good set of British manners. 

In the script by King and Hamish McColl, Paddington is discovered by Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville) and Mrs. Brown (Sally Hawkins) while returning with their two kids from a weekend outing in London.  The kids are immediately drawn to the talking bear.  Mrs. Brown cannot help but invite him back to their home.  Mr. Brown – a one-time risk taker – is more cautious.  He agrees the bear can stay one night, which turns into several that, in turn, become several more.  Paddington is looking for the geographer but his journey will take him to some pretty interesting places. 

Co-starring Peter Capaldi, Nicole Kidman, and Jim Broadbent as Samuel Gruber, Paddington carries the same free spirit as the books but combines it with espionage, cross-dressing, and taxidermy for an entertaining romp through a new lens: the modern world.  King’s fresh direction keeps the material from appearing dated.  There are several moments in which the film’s energy practically bursts through the screen.  Lines are quick, bubbly, and zip by without slowing it down – even in the film’s more reflective moments.  Whishaw’s voice is impactful here as he is both funny and worthy of our concern.  He nails a performance that few could with solely their voice.

Erik Wilson’s cinematography has several strong moments that border on visually poetic – especially for a kid’s movie.  The camera interestingly moves the field of vision in some of the most unusual of times.  A family rescue mission becomes a sort of art piece as the camera slides off-center and the family whooshes by.  It’s this sense of spirit and adventure that keeps the movie fresh and in step with its history, recalling the fresh look to the 1975 animated Paddington BBC television show, created by FilmFair, and its mix of 2D and 3D animation.

With a zippy energy the recalls early Tim Burton, Paddington offers a whole lot of furry entertainment.  This is a movie that is delightful for kids of any age, myself included.

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[tab title="Film Details"]

MPAA Rating: PG for mild action and rude humor.
Runtime: 95 mins
Director: Paul King
Writer: Paul King
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters
Genre: Family
Tagline: Meet Mr. Curry.
Memorable Movie Quote: "This family needed that wee bear every bit as much as he needed you. There. Said my piece."
Distributor: TWC Dimension
Official Site: http://www.paddington.com/us/home/
Release Date: January 16, 2015
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: April 28, 2015
Synopsis: From the beloved novels by Michael Bond and producer David Heyman (Harry Potter), Paddington tells the story of the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear (voiced by Firth) who travels to the city in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kindly Brown family who read the label around his neck that says "Please look after this bear. Thank you," and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.

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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]

Blu-ray Details:

Available on Blu-ray - April 28, 2015
Screen Formats: 2.40:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD); UV digital copy; Digital copy; DVD copy
Region Encoding: A

StudioCanal's 1080p transfer is its strongest to date.  The colors are well saturated and the black levels are consistently strong.  The details are striking and rich, with a crispness that is as resilient as its depth.  The CGI bear – especially in close-ups – is very striking. Hues are solid and, when there is a change in location, the shift in colors is smart and vibrant.  Through it all, the changing hues are visual treats.  The film's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is dynamic and engaging, firing on all cylinders.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• None

Special Features:

If there is a weakness in StudioCanal’s release, it is here with these four obligatory special features that only gloss over the really interesting parts of the film.  Forgettable promo featurettes about the film and the music are all you get.

• Meet the Characters (2 min)
• When a Bear Comes to Stay (2 min)
• From Page to Screen (3 min)
• Lyric Music Video (2 min)
• The Making of "Shine" with Gwen Stefani & Pharrell Williams (4 min)

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