Rating: ★★★★⯪
The movie Paddington is a very captivating film that follows the complex journey of a bear named Paddington and his big move from the darkest of Peru all the way to London. It follows the many obstacles he encounters and how each character grows in different ways with the help from this bear. It’s generally a very family-oriented film that shows the importance of staying together as a family and always being there for one another.
Paddington starts off with the struggles he faces from losing his uncle Pastuzo and having to move away from his aunt Lucy due to the tragic earthquake that happened back where he’s from. But he feels a sense of loss, but also determination to find something better for himself. So he sets off to his destination, where his aunt sent him, London. Once at the train station, he waits and waits for a family that could take him in. While there, a family passes by, each person with their own personality. Mr. Brown, who is a very strict fellow, is extremely structured and is trying to keep his family under control, even though they each have their own very, very different personalities. Mrs. Brown, on the other hand, is more free-spirited, creative, and heartwarming. She shows she cares and is often very enthusiastic. Mr and Mrs Brown have two children, Judy and Jonathan. Judy is a very reserved girl; many things embarrass her, and she seems to be trying to fit into a world that is very different from what she’s used to at home. She believes her family is really weird and likes to stay to herself. Jonathan, on the other hand, has very big aspirations; he loves a good challenge and creating new and dangerous things. But with his father always on him about staying safe, he finds it difficult to express himself. With this very complex family, you’d deem it difficult for little ole Paddington to fit in. But Mrs. Brown, with her kind heart, sees Paddington, who doesn’t have an English name yet, and goes back to see what the young bear needs. She decides they should try and help him. Mr. Brown, although against it, finally agrees, and they take the bear to eat. A symbol that stood out from the movie is that where Paddignton was sitting was the lost and found area, but only the lost part was lit up, and when they decided to help him, they took him to the found part of the sign. This goes to show how even though they don’t know it, he’s the missing piece to their family.
They take him to a diner where Mrs. Brown gives him his name, and they decide to take him home for the night until they can further help him, of course, with Mr. Brown protesting at first.
From the very first day they had him there, they went through a whole process of obstacles trying to help him find the explorer. Little did they know there was this mad woman named Millicent who was trying to kill him to stuff him because she had issues due to her dad being the explorer and loving those bears a lot (Paddigtons Aunt and Uncle). Once they found her, she acted super kind and welcoming, that the browns felt comfortable enough to let Paddington stay with her. Once they all realized what she intended to do, they had a life-altering moment trying to save him, and in Mr. Brown’s heroic moment, he admitted Paddignton had become family to them, and he loosened up. Once they managed to save him, all working together, the whole family’s bond grew, and they were able to understand each other more. While Millicent got the punishment she deserved. Paddigton overall is a great fun and entertaining movie that really displays the importance of understanding your family and being together through the hardships in life.
