A young English boy befriends a talking bear he finds at a London train station. A live-action feature based on the series of popular children's books by Michael Bond.
It will be intriguing too to see what international audiences make of such eccentric and quintessentially British fare.
Antique conceit meets high-concept story in Paul King’s big-screen adaptation of the Michael Bond classic.
It's a genuine delight.
Marmaladen with gloriously silly jokes, pitch-perfect performances and incidental detail, this is a warm, witty and wondrously inventive great big bear-hug of a movie.
Colin Firth may come to rue his departure from what’s surely to become a franchise. This caper is kid-captivating and perfectly parent-friendly too.
All in all, it’s a nice reintroduction for the character and a worthier seasonal cinematic treat for the younger end of the family market than those horrendous Nativity films.
Portobello Road and west London do look a bit monocultural and Mary Poppinseque at times, but the movie has a nice anti-Ukipper line in attacking Mr Curry’s xenophobic grumpiness and resentment of outsiders. It is a Christmas treat.
Through it all runs the touching story of an outsider making a new home for himself, and discovering that in the end, whatever our differences, "anyone in London can fit in".
Paddington has a very brisk running time and a slightly choppy story but the slapstick comedy, races and chases will please the kids and adults will enjoy a sigh of nostalgia for Disney fare such as Bedknobs And Broomsticks or One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing.
An unadulterated delight from start to finish.
It may have taken years for Paddington to hit the big screen but he’ll be here to stay. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
“Please look after this bear”, says the tag around Paddington’s neck. Rest assured, they have.
Two claws up.
General release. Check local listings for show times.