The release date for Paddington was pushed out of 2014 and into 2015, making me worry that this was a film for the junk heap. Actually, this mix of live action and animation featuring the character created by Michael Bond is actually cute.
Ben Whishaw voices Paddington, a Peruvian bear who travels to England looking for a home. He winds up in the abode of the Browns, where he begins causing major damage, leading to a little marital strife for Mr. and Mrs. Brown (a delightful Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins). Nicole Kidman has a lot of fun as the film’s villain, who is determined to trap and stuff Paddington.
The movie has plenty of British charm, a couple of really good jokes, and work from Kidman, Bonneville and Hawkins in top form. As for Paddington himself, he looks pretty good—a solid animated creation mixed neatly with real actors and actresses.
Paddington is playing at theaters across the valley.
