Let's talk about: Paddington

Last week we rented Paddington from Redbox. 

To be honest, I didn't really think I would love it that much. I just wasn't sure what to expect. 

I was so surprised. 

We all LOVED it. 

In fact, barely over a week later, I now own it. 

Paddington is based on the books about Paddington Bear by Michael Bond. The books were so popular that they have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 30 million copies. In fact, in 2012 Paddington Bear was honored as Britain's "Favorite Animated Character Ever" at the British Animated Awards. 

Many of the people involved in the movie loved this character and I think that is why it worked so well. 

Hugh Bonneville, (Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey) who plays the father, said that he was nervous about joining the film because "Paddington is a part of the DNA of the UK. I don't want my childhood being messed with. He's such a a vivid character for so many people, certainly in Britain. So I was very nervous when I started reading but within a page I was laughing out loud and was reminded of all the charming innocence and the warmth that Michael Bond put on the page."

Nicole Kidman, though she plays the villain, also grew up with Paddington. She said that her childhood wish was to have Paddington Bear live at her home. She said that to participate in this film is the closest she will ever come to realize it. 

And perhaps the most important words of approval come from the creator himself, Michael Bond, and his daughter Karen Jankel. 

Michael Bond said that he was nervous about the project of turning his character into a live action feature. However, he said he was convinced after seeing half a minute of test footage. 

His daughter, Karen was almost moved to tears after the first screening and said, "For me, it was bringing to life the bear that was so real to me. And I think they got it absolutely right."

Michael Bond even has a cameo in the film. When the family are driving down the road in a taxi, Paddington looks into a cafe and a man inside raises a glass to him. That was Michael Bond. 

The movie was produced by David Heyman (Harry Potter) and written by Paul King and Hamish McColl but Emma Thompson also did an uncredited polishing of the script. 

They have brought this bear to life for all of us. 

The movie begins in Darkest Peru. We meet Paddington's family and then Paddington himself before following him to London where a family finds him at Paddington Station and takes him home. 

 

I think this will be a family classic. It was funny, heartwarming, and so well acted in a way not all family movies are. 

Our daughters were laughing so hard they were rolling around on the ground during a certain bathroom scene.

A lot of the time when I watch a movie that has a kid or an animal (usually a dog it seems) that causes a lot of chaos and mess in a house, I get stressed out and I don't enjoy it. 

But this one honestly made me laugh. 

And I loved Paddington even though he was always causing trouble. 

Even my husband, who did not expect to like it at all, enjoyed it and afterward said that he thought it was a really good movie. 

 This movie is appropriate for all audiences and will, I'm sure, be one that almost every child and family will love. 

Check it out!!

Here is the trailer... but if you don't want to be spoiled for things that happen in the movie, don't watch it. It shows a lot of the film. 

			*Have you seen Paddington?			*Have you read the books? *How did you like it?