SPOILERS DOWN THE PATH; THE DISCUSSION BELOW WILL NOT BE COMPREHENSIVE WITHOUT IT.
TREAD CAREFULLY. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.
Paddington is a family comedy revolving a willing suspension of disbelief that there's a species of intelligent bear from Peru. Back in the day, a young bear couple from said species were taught by a British geographer about the human world, especially London. Years later, they both have a nephew named Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) and London has never left their minds. In a tragic earthquake that kills Uncle Bear (voiced by Michael Gambon), Aunt Bear (voiced by Imelda Staunton) is left with no choice but to send young Paddington far away from the ancient forest so that he could have a better future. Could you guess what happens if such a bear shows up in London looking for a family?
If you could get over the silliness or the campiness of jokes sometimes such as the janitor impersonation by Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville), and the fact that everybody’s seemingly unsurprised seeing a bear that could talk, there's a lot to enjoy here! Some of the disasters caused by Paddington especially the ones involving toilet flood and cellophane tape are hilarious! Even his general mishaps across London are delights, although it must be noted since the emphasis is on the many accidents that Paddington causes, it's hard to side with Mrs. Brown and justify his stay brings more good than harm.
Emergency sandwich coming to use during an emergency and Paddington's relationship with the rogue pigeons that leads to a nick-of-time rescue are examples of great payoffs! Misinterpretation of signboards at the train station, 'Taxi' turned 'Taxidermist' and 'Lost and Found' lighting up are brilliant visual wittiness! Harmless action and violence jive perfectly with the film's tone and mood. Probably one of the picture’s highlights is its aesthetics and visual ideas, particularly pertaining to the miniature storytelling. Exposition about the Brown family members through a cut section of their house and the toy train narration are extraordinary!
It goes without saying that the production value is extremely impressive! Just the way Paddington looks and talks and breathes and walks... the visual effects is simply fantastic! The colours are exuberant, score is strong and suggestive plus the overall production design especially Geographer's Guild's archive system is the apogee of creativity!