Paddington

Theatrical Release Date: 2008 (USA) / 2015 01 16 (USA)

UPC: 013132620688

Studio: Starz/Anchor Bay

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Excellent For Children]

Summary: Beloved bear Paddington gets the big-screen treatment in this family film adapted from Michael Bond's enduring children's book series. As the story opens, Peruvian bear Paddington (voice of Ben Whishaw) makes his way to the big city, where he quickly gets lost until being taken in by the benevolent Brown family. Meanwhile, as the curious cub settles into his new life of domestic bliss, a scheming museum taxidermist embarks on a personal mission to get him stuffed and mounted. Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent star in a film featuring Peter Capaldi and Nicole Kidman. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Category: Children's/Family

Awards: Best British Film – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best British Film – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Adapted Screenplay – British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Features: Meet the characters
When a bear comes to stay
From page to screen
"Shine" lyric music video

Paddington

Format: DVD

Release Date: 04/28/2015

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 95 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,Spanish

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Paddington
1. Chapter 1 [5:10]
2. Chapter 2 [5:15]
3. Chapter 3 [4:28]
4. Chapter 4 [5:40]
5. Chapter 5 [4:22]
6. Chapter 6 [4:18]
7. Chapter 7 [6:29]
8. Chapter 8 [4:56]
9. Chapter 9 [6:24]
10. Chapter 10 [6:48]
11. Chapter 11 [5:02]
12. Chapter 12 [2:46]
13. Chapter 13 [3:35]
14. Chapter 14 [5:22]
15. Chapter 15 [3:59]
16. Chapter 16 [4:23]
17. Chapter 17 [4:53]
18. Chapter 18 [3:49]

Tim Holland

Paddington is perfect.

Families looking for a great movie that will entertain everyone, regardless of age, should flock to this utterly delightful, laugh-out-loud funny adventure featuring the marmalade-loving bear from the classic children's books, who was first brought to life in 1958 by author Michael Bond. It's difficult to imagine a better or more pleasing film for the Peruvian bear's first big-screen outing: Director Paul King (Bunny and the Bull), who also wrote the witty script, has created a totally captivating, thrilling, and heartwarming tale that will likely be enjoyed by kids (and moms and dads and grandparents) for years to come. Everything, from the impeccable computer-generated imagery and pitch-perfect casting to the calypso-infused soundtrack and eye-catching set design, are on point.

We first meet Paddington in "Darkest Peru," where he lives with his Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo (voiced by, respectively, Imelda Staunton and Michael Gambon). The two bears were taught English years before by a British explorer, who also promised them a warm place to stay if they should ever visit London. When an earthquake destroys their treetop dwelling and much of their beloved jungle, Paddington is shipped off to London as a stowaway on a freighter to find a better life. He expects to be welcomed with open arms and loving hearts when he arrives at London's Paddington train station with a sign around his neck that reads, "Please take care of this bear." Author Bond recently told the New York Times that the sign came from his memories of seeing evacuated children at rail stations during World War II. "They all had labels around their necks and were holding on to their treasured possessions," he said. "It was very sad, and Paddington is also a refugee in that way."

Unfortunately, Paddington is completely ignored by the bustling crowd until late at night, when the Brown family embark from a train. The mom (the always excellent Sally Hawkins) takes pity on him and convinces her risk-averse hubby (Hugh Bonneville) and kids to let him stay with them overnight until they can find him proper lodging. But while Paddington is perfectly polite, he is unaccustomed to modern conveniences such as bathtubs and toilets, which leads to one of the movie's funniest scenes as he accidentally floods an upstairs bathroom and sails down the circular staircase in a speedy tub. Yet those misadventures are minor compared to the danger represented by coldhearted taxidermist Millicent, played with wicked delight by Nicole Kidman, who wants to stuff Paddington and add him to her collection. Her Cruella de Vil-like character, while menacing in a cartoonish way, does pose a real threat to the beloved bear's future and may frighten the youngest of viewers. It's obvious the leather-clad, stiletto-wearing Kidman relished the opportunity to indulge her funny side, but the entire cast are uniformly excellent. For example, Bonneville shows off his comedic chops in a hilarious sequence in which he dresses as a lady janitor to help Paddington find information on the British explorer. It's a far cry from his stiff-upper-lipped Lord Grantham of Downton Abbey.

Julie Walters and Doctor Who's Peter Capaldi also lend strong support. But the highest marks go to Ben Whishaw, who voices Paddington. He famously replaced Colin Firth, who was ultimately deemed not right for the role, and one cannot imagine the movie without Whishaw's soothing, sweet-natured voice.

Paddington may be the first of the cherished bear's big-screen adventures, but here's hoping it won't be his last. ~ Tim Holland, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Jeffrey Clifford  Executive Producer 
David Heyman  Producer 
Alexandra Ferguson  Executive Producer 
Nick Urata  Composer (Music Score) 
Hamish McColl  Screenwriter 
Rosie Alison  Executive Producer 
Paul King  Director 
Paul King  Screenwriter 
Hugh Bonneville  Actor 
Sally Hawkins  Actor 
Julie Walters  Actor 
Jim Broadbent  Actor 
Peter Capaldi  Actor 
Nicole Kidman  Actor 
Ben Whishaw  Actor 
Kayvan Novak  Actor 
Madeleine Harris  Actor 
Samuel Joslin  Actor 
Michael Gambon  Actor 
Imelda Staunton  Actor 

Country: USA