Paddington 2 shows what it really means to be “fun for the whole family”

If a children’s movie claims to be “fun for the whole family,” it must accomplish three things – promote a positive, character-building theme, satisfy the whimsical and slapstick delights of children, and confront reality in complex enough ways that tug at the hearts of adults. This is the merit of Paddington 2: it’s a movie that makes the children laugh and the parents cry, a movie that inspects morality but also embraces it, a movie that will warm every member of the family.

In Paddington 2 we follow Paddington, an anthropomorphic bear, who’s become a popular member of his community and is happily settled with his adoptive human family from the first film. When he spots a charming pop-up book in an antique shop, he sets his mind on buying it for his aunt, only for it to be stolen at the last minute. Paddington is wrongly accused of the crime, and he and the Brown family must race to unmask the real thief and prove Paddington’s innocence.

Besides its high-stakes plot, what makes this film a joy for both children and adults is its welcomingly affable characters. Every side character is rapidly characterized by appearance, speech, and outlandishly exaggerated actions, in a comedic style that is both clever for adults and slapstick for children. For example, a prison chef named Knuckles acts tough initially, but he eventually reveals an innate feeling of inadequacy that, parents will catch, stems from an abusive relationship with his father. Mr. Brown is a middle-aged businessman undergoing a mid-life crisis, the antagonist is a washed-up actor in search of his glory days, and their neighbor is a hardened war colonel who is eventually softened by love. Every side character’s lives and problems appeal to simple archetypes, and while adults can appreciate the psychology behind each character, their antics will delight children as well.

Each of these characters’ subplots is paced perfectly, supplementing the main story by giving every minor character just the right amount of relatability. These side stories are simple enough for children to appreciate and heartfelt enough for parents to love; both parents and children can be relieved when each character’s emotional problems are assuaged by Paddington’s unfailing kindness.

With far too many sequels these days prone to rehashing the first installment, what I appreciate the most about Paddington 2 is how it relates to the original. While the Paddington was focused on finding a family, Paddington 2 brings Paddington’s morality to the wider society. With a loving family already established, Paddington’s triumphs in prison, at work, and on the run makes this feel like a fresh adventure.

Paddington 2 may not be a big-brand production, but the whole family is guaranteed to take something away from this heartfelt movie. Children laughed in the movie theater at Paddington’s silly shenanigans, and Max Zhang (10B) said of the movie, “It seems like adult movies are all about fighting and entertainment … but these kids’ movie are actually about something.” It may be a mere children’s movie, but Paddington 2 receives my full recommendation to anyone who craves a tiny bit more hope in humanity.

Featured Image Promotional poster for Paddington 2 Courtesy of Warner Bros. via desktopwallpapers.us