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Friday, April 26, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD PADDINGTON 2
EDITOR'S PICK
'Paddington 2': A delightful sequel (Review By Troy Ribeiro ; Rating:
***)
Based on the long-running
children's book series from renowned author Michael Bond, which was first
published in 1957, director Paul King's "Paddington 2" is a charming and
narratively more satisfying sequel to the 2014 released "Paddington".
Just like the original film made an impassioned case for accepting and welcoming
immigrants, this edition makes a plea for kindness, civility and looking for the
good in people. It is every bit as perfectly tuned, cruelty-free funny and
kind-hearted film as its earlier edition.
Like its first edition, this
chapter of adventures begins by plunging through the cloudy Peruvian jungle
giving an insight to Paddington's pre-London days, before settling to the
present-day narrative where its predecessor left off with Paddington in the
Notting Hill abode of the Brown family, adorably headed by Sally Hawkins and
Hugh Bonneville.
Here we see, Paddington, once again voiced impeccably by
Ben Whishaw, leading a happy life. Outgoing, adorable and childlike in his
directness, he retains his ursine instincts, suddenly slurping at the
marmalade-smeared head of a barbershop customer, for example.
He takes up
odd jobs at the barbers and cleaning windows in the neighbourhood, in order to
collect money for a "popping book" of London, which he intends to buy from the
immigrant antique dealer Mr. Gruber (Jim Broadbent). He wants this book to send
it as a gift to his Anglophile Aunt Lucy in Peru for her 100th birthday.
But unfortunately, unbeknownst to Paddington, there is someone else who has been
eyeing the book. When that person breaks into the shop to steal the volume,
Paddington gives a chase astride a trusty Irish wolfhound only to somehow
wrongfully land in prison as the suspected thief.
The real thief, the
man-of-many disguises, is the Brown's neighbour, the waning West End star
Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant). Buchanan pinches the book for clues to a hidden
fortune. How Paddington clears his name alongside the Brown family's amateur
detective work and the help from his rough but soft-hearted friends from the
prison, forms the witty, albeit slender narrative thread.
What is
remarkable is the compact and ingenious plotting in director Paul King and his
co-screenwriter Simon Farnaby's script. With retro mechanism of coincidences,
mysteries and mini-puzzles the plot is a delight. It is further supported by the
seamless digital integration of a talking bear into a live-action London
jam-packed with even stranger diversions.
The scrambling action scenes
are lively, complicated and enjoyable, making it feel that its cinematic
universe is a caper.
On the performance front, the actors slip into their
roles with apt precision. Apart from Hugh Grant, who plays the self-centred
Phoenix Buchanan with elan, it is Brendan Gleeson as the violent cook Knuckles
who leaves an impact on screen.
Ben Whishaw's lissome voice-work makes
Paddington an utterly engaging character. Equally convincing are Imelda Staunton
and Michael Gambon as Paddington's Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo.
Visually,
every frame is like an intricate-scaled diorama, a work of art built up from
thousands of tiny, thoughtful details that would enthral you over several
viewings.
Overall, this film would appeal to children and adults alike.
'Paddington 2' an over-cute pain (Review By Subhash K Jha ; Rating **)
"Paddington" in 2014 was so treacly it was like eating too much Christmas
pudding. The most unwanted sequel comes to us with noblest of intentions and
feeblest of contrivances.It has little else to recommend itself, except Hugh
Grant in a whammy of a performance that belongs to film far weightier than this
eyecandy-floss.
Grant plays Phoenix Buchanan a wicked has-been of an actor whose villainy drives
the anorexic plot forward through the neat unexciting residential streets of
London as our bear-hero the adorable Paddington waddles through a mess that, I
suspect, is created entirely by the script writers who were told to slap
together a hurried sequel filled with ersatz twists and unconvincing turns which
would get the "Paddington" fans back into their seats.
As far as sequels go, this one doesn't get anywhere that we would particularly
like to go.It is like visiting Woody Allen's Wonder Wheel on a day when the
rides are open only to the righteous. It opens on a note of sanctimonious
adoration with a bear-couple adopting an awashed baby bear. The CGs are not so
unbearable. There is so much more to 'bear' here.
The plot quickly moves to London to Paddington's adoptive British family that
spreads so much fuzzy warmth around our cute little hero making him the apex of
British propriety and marmalade-laid decorum. Some of Paddington's teaparty
etiquettes are plainly annoying. Elsewhere, as in the sequels, where poor little
Paddington is imprisoned,the attempts to remain propah and genteel in a rough
environment may evoke some stray titters. Though I doubt anyone will remain
amused for too long with the strained attempts to alchemize animation tropes
into a full fledged feature films.
Even by the low standards set by the cult of sequels "Paddington 2" fares
poorly. Veteran British actors like Jim Broadbent(playing an antique dealer) and
Brendan Gleeson(as a snarling prison cook) liven up the proceedings. But it is
Hugh Grant who will raise your amusement quotient and perk your curiosity level
with his huffing and heaving portrayal of an actor on the skids.
Oh yes, you will see two actors of Indian origin. Sanjeev Bhaskar is a face
glimpsed at a window on a London street while Meera Sayal makes a fleeting
appearing in a courtroom scene. Aren't we grateful.
Don't raise your hopes too high. As our baby bear's cuddly antics will make you
roll your eyes and mutter under your breath. The plot's focus of conflict is a
pop-up animation book stolen by the arch-villain and coveted by our cuddlesome
hero as a birthday gift to his beloved aunt who teaches "Paddington" to look for
goodness in everyone.I looked for that quality in this film and found way too
much of it.
If the truth be told, the pop-up book pops up more vividly than anything that
this lackluster sequel has to offer.I know it has made potloads of money across
the global box-office. But if success was a measure of excellence then Dhanush's
Kolaveri D would be a classic song. And Dwayne Johnson would be a better actor
than Marlon Brando.
Or Hugh Grant, for that matter.
Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar says it is gratifying to see
"Paddington 2" getting nominated in the three categories for British Academy
Film Awards 2018.
"Paddington 2" has earned nomination in categories of
Outstanding British Film and Best adapted screenplay. Actor Hugh Grant is also
in contention for the trophy in Best Supporting Actor category for his role in
the film, which is being brought to India by PVR Pictures.
The BAFTA
Awards will be held on February 18 at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The
ceremony will be hosted by Joanna Lumley.
Sanjeev,Read More
Following the worldwide hit 'Paddington,' one of the most successful
family films of all time, this much-anticipated sequel finds Paddington (Ben
Whishaw) happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a
popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he
goes.
While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt
Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees 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.
Reuniting many of the original film’s cast while welcoming those in new roles,
'Paddington 2' stars Golden Globe nominee Hugh Bonneville ('Downton Abbey'),
Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins ('Blue Jasmine'), three-time Golden Globe nominee
Brendan Gleeson ('The Guard,' 'Into the Storm,' 'In Bruges'), Oscar nominee
Julie Walters ('Billy Elliot,' 'Educating Rita'), Oscar winner Jim Broadbent
('Iris'), and Oscar winner Peter Capaldi (short, 'Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful
Life'), with Golden Globe and BAFTA Award winner Hugh Grant ('Four Weddings and
a Funeral'), and BAFTA winner Ben Whishaw ('The Hollow Crown') as the voice of
Paddington. The starring ensemble also includes Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin,
and Oscar nominee Imelda Staunton ('Vera Drake') as the voice of Aunt Lucy.
Paddington’s return to the big screen was again helmed by BAFTA-nominated
director Paul King ('Paddington,' 'Come Fly with Me,' 'The Mighty Boosh') from a
script written by King and Simon Farnaby (Sky TV’s 'Yonderland,' 'Mindhorn'),
based on the best-selling and internationally adored books by Michael Bond,
creator of Paddington Bear.
The film was produced by multiple
award-winning producer David Heyman (the 'Harry Potter' films, 'Fantastic Beasts
and Where to Find Them,' Oscar nominee for 'Gravity'). Serving as executive
producers were Rosie Alison, Jeffrey Clifford, Alexandra Ferguson Derbyshire,
Ron Halpern, and Didier Lupfer.
Creative talent returning behind the
camera included director of photography Erik Alexander Wilson ('Tyrannosaur,'
'Submarine'), production designer Gary Williamson ('Bunny and the Bull,'
'Submarine'), Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming ('Wonder Woman,' 'The
Dark Knight'), and editor Mark Everson ('Mindhorn,' 'Alan Partridge'), joined by
editor Jonathan Amos ('Baby Driver'). Visual effects were provided by the highly
acclaimed British VFX company, Framestore, led by animation director Pablo
Grillo ('Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them') and VFX supervisors Andy Kind
('Gravity') and Glen Pratt ('Beauty and the Beast'). The score is composed by
Academy Award winner Dario Marianelli ('Atonement').
'Paddington 2' was
shot on location in and around central London, as well as on the legendary
soundstages of Warner Bros. Leavesden and Pinewood film studios.
Warner
Bros. Pictures and STUDIOCANAL present, in association with Anton Capital
Entertainment S.C.A., a Heyday Films Production, 'Paddington 2.' The film will
be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
www.paddington.com
'Paddington 2' is rated PG for some action and mild
rude humor.
