Paddington (2014)

A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.

Director:

Paul King

Writers:

Paul King, Hamish McColl (screen story by)

Stars:

Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Downie	...	Montgomery Clyde
Madeleine Worrall	...	Agatha Clyde
Lottie Steer	...	Young Millicent
Geoffrey Palmer	...	Head Geographer
Theresa Watson	...	Stenographer
Imelda Staunton	...	Aunt Lucy (voice)
Michael Gambon	...	Uncle Pastuzo (voice)
Ben Whishaw	...	Paddington (voice)
Hugh Bonneville	...	Henry Brown
Sally Hawkins	...	Mary Brown
Madeleine Harris	...	Judy Brown
Samuel Joslin	...	Jonathan Brown
Michael Bond	...	Kindly Gentleman
Matt Lucas	...	Joe
Julie Walters	...	Mrs. Bird

Storyline

A young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kind Brown family, who read the label around his neck ('Please look after this bear. Thank you.') and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.

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Plot Keywords:

paddington station london | bear | talking bear | taxidermist | based on book | 

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Taglines:

Please look after this bear. Thank you

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild action and rude humor

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 January 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paddington Bear

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£5,191,930 (United Kingdom), 30 November 2014, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,205,000, 18 January 2015, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$76,271,832

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$268,047,808

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal,Anton Capital Entertainment (ACE),TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Datasat Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Darkest Peru" was actually shot in Costa Rica, and the first shooting days of the movie were there. Many members of the British crew flew to Costa Rica and many locals were hired.

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Goofs

When Paddington knocks down the pickpocket, several wallets fall out onto the sidewalk. After the police arrive and the scene changes to an overhead shot, the wallets are gone.

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Quotes

Mary Brown: Oh, look, Henry. It's perfect!
Henry Brown: You want to call him Ketchup?
Mary Brown: What?
Henry Brown: Ketchup The Bear?
Mary Brown: No. Paddington!
Judy Brown: Paddington?
Paddington: Paddington?... Pa... dding... ton.

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Crazy Credits

As the marmalade fruits land on the floor after Paddington accidentally slips and drops them, the letters of his soon-to-be name, which is also the title, are spelled out, but not in order.

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Connections

Referenced in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Grooming Show Dog Balls (2018)

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Soundtracks

Shine
Music By Pharrell Williams
Lyrics By Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani appears courtesy of Interscope Records
Pharrell Williams appears courtesy of Columbia Records and i am OTHER Entertainment

User Reviews

Watch out for the world's most wanted bear

OK, I must admit when I looked at the film poster, I had asked myself: How could a feature length film about a British family adopting a CGI talking bear be good? That's why I went into the theater with zero expectation, and Paddington proves to be a huge surprise.

As soon as I walked into the theater, I could see I'm the oldest one (excluding those parents), and I did feel a tiny bit embarrassed - sitting alone surrounded by hyperactive children. But then, as the film goes, I found out watching Paddington is one of the best decisions I've made recently, and that is not exaggerating, because as I watched that little talking bear roam around London, I found the inner child inside of me who's been lost for quite some time. I have never laughed and screamed so freely along with those children and I feel totally not out of place.

Needless to say, Paddington is fabulously British, and as a Potterhead (proudly saying so), I recognized a LOT of familiar faces (and voices). Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Imelda Staunton, even Michael Gambon, and so many more other spectacular actors and actresses are housed in this 95-minutes film. They are one of the major reasons the film is so appealing.

The screenplay of the film is impeccably crafted with totally hilarious, literally LOL jokes (some written particularly for children, and some more naughtier ones I'm sure only the parents would get), and also with moments of warmth so sincerely written that my heart has never been so molten before.

Paddington truly is a surprising movie, and it surely is the best non-animated family film made in 2014. It is ridiculous yet believable. Unlike the increasing amount of farces that call themselves "comedies", Paddington is truly hilarious and heartwarming with a story that is so rich and compelling. And I would recommend Paddington to anyone, and if you have not watched it yet, go watch it and you will find it's the best decision you've ever made.