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movie review - Paddington

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

This is an excellent animated movie about an anthropomorphic, talking bear who decides to travel to London to find a home after being pushed out of his own by an earthquake. With the bowler hat from a explorer that taught his family English years before as his only guide, he tries to make a go of it but finds it difficult. Happily, he meets a kindly family and lives with them. From here he's swept up in events pertaining to that explorer, and someone who knows there's a talking bear in the city to present to the scientific field.

This movie is very well done and has a superb cast. The tone is endearing without being cloying, the dialog is very good, and the plot hums along, walking a line between the fantasy of a talking animated bear and, well, London. I simply can't believe how greatly this movie exceeded my expectations; it looks like the sort of kids' movie you'll get through with gritted teeth but instead you're marveling at what you're immersed in.

Strongly recommended. A favorite.