Paddington 2

In this sequel, the titular red-hatted, blue-raincoated, marmalade-scarfing bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) has settled into a new life in London’s Windsor Gardens with his adoptive parents, the Browns (Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins). Since his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), an anglophile who still lives in Peru, is celebrating her 100th birthday, Paddington has decided to send her an expensive book featuring famous London landmarks, described as a "popping book" by Mr. Gruber (Jim Broadbent), the antiques dealer. But before Paddington can earn enough money, the rare book is stolen by prissy Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant), an aging actor reduced to doing dog food commercials. Dastardly Phoenix knows that the seemingly innocuous pop-up book is really a secret treasure map, and he frames Paddington for its theft. Sent to prison, Paddington finds himself living with intimidating inmates such as the snarling chef, Knuckles McGinty (Brendan Gleeson)—or "Nuckel’s" as it’s misspelled on his tattooed fists—whom Paddington wins over with (what else?) marmalade. Meanwhile, the émigré bear’s friends and family (Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin) work diligently for his release, much to the dismay of Mr. Curry (Peter Capaldi), the neighborhood’s odious Britain-firster. Continuing his witty live-action adaptation of Michael Bond’s series of whimsical children’s books, writer-director Paul King, teaming with co-writer Simon Farnaby, carries on the elaborately endearing slapstick silliness, replete with imaginative interludes and colorful, inventive sets. Adorable and thoroughly enjoyable, Paddington 2 reinforces the belief that "if you’re kind and polite, the world will be right." Recommended. [Note: Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director/co-writer Paul King, the behind-the-scenes featurettes “The Browns and Paddington: A Special Bond” (6 min.), “The Bear Truth” (5 min.), “The (Once) Famous Faces of Phoenix Buchanan” (4 min.), “How to Make a Marmalade Sandwich” (3 min.), “The Magical Mystery of Paddington’s Pop-Up Book” (3 min.), and “Knuckles: A Fistful of Marmalade” (3 min.), as well as a character music video (2 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine family film.] (S. Granger)