Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Michael Gambon | ... |
Uncle Pastuzo
(voice)
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Imelda Staunton | ... |
Aunt Lucy
(voice)
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Ben Whishaw | ... |
Paddington
(voice)
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Madeleine Harris | ... | |
Samuel Joslin | ... | ||
Sally Hawkins | ... | ||
Hugh Bonneville | ... | ||
Julie Walters | ... | ||
Marie-France Alvarez | ... | ||
Sanjeev Bhaskar | ... | ||
Ben Miller | ... | ||
Jessica Hynes | ... | ||
Robbie Gee | ... | ||
Nicholas Woodeson | ... |
Insurance Company C.E.O.
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Alex Jordan | ... |
Steve Visby
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Paddington is happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it's up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief. Written by STUDIOCANAL
I loved "Paddington" and - to my delight - I loved "Paddington 2" too.
Of course, we start with the adorable character created by Michael Bond (who died between the release of the two films), the brilliant CGI representation of our furry friend, and the purr-fect voicing by Ben Wishaw. This is such a British franchise with so very many British character actors (OK, and one Irish) and so many London locations, although this is the kind of gentle London that we saw in "Notting Hill" (most notably in the prison scenes). Indeed the villain this time is less threatening than Nicole Kidman's character in the first film and played brilliantly by the ever-so- English star of "Notting Hill", Hugh Grant, who - following his success in "Florence Foster Jenkins" - shows that he is not just a pretty face.
The film is endlessly inventive, not least in bringing to life a pop-up book of London landmarks which is at the heart of the plot, and it is stuffed full of visual gags as well as so many funny lines, a few aimed at adult viewers rather than little ones. My granddaughter (almost seven) found it delightful with one of her favourite scenes being Paddington's window-cleaning efforts. Be sure to stay for the credits - a final delight in 100 happy minutes.