Paddington (4/28/2015)

Rated PG for mild action and rude humor.

Starring Ben Whishaw (voice), Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Broadbent and Peter Capaldi

Directed by David Heyman

Truth be told, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to go see Paddington, but I am so glad I did.

Based on Michael Bond’s widely-admired series of children’s books that began in 1958, Paddington is about a young, clumsy, and very polite young grizzly bear who leaves his home in Peru and travels to London to find a new family. He quickly finds a potential match in the Brown family, but the little bear’s talent for causing chaos — and Mr. Brown’s very short fuse — means that Paddington may quickly wear out his welcome.

One of the first things I loved about Paddington was the unashamed reality that this film made “for kids.” Paddington doesn’t have anything in the way of rude behavior, kid-friendly expletives, or fart jokes – well there is one almost fart joke. It takes a certain level of maturity to stay above that low hanging fruit and Paddington does it perfectly.

Frankly speaking, Paddington is not a joke-filled comedy that will have your kids belly laughing, but it has an authentic sweetness that we can all appreciate as well as a few well-defined lessons about family, loyalty, and kindness. What parent won’t appreciate that?

The cast, not surprisingly, is a who’s who of British actors, like Hugh Bonneville as the loving dad who worries just a bit much and Sally Hawkins is his endlessly sweet-natured wife. Then there is Nicole Kidman who plays the colorful, but nasty villainess.

It’s safe to say that Paddington Bear is as loved and recognized in the UK as Snoopy is in the US. And I for one was happy for the introduction. Today kids have plenty of movies that are almost always loud, sometimes obnoxious, and way too frequently inappropriate. You may not be familiar with Paddington, but you owe it to yourself to check him out…this film is “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
While the target age may be 5-10 year olds, I believe the entire family will enjoy this one.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What would you say Paddington is searching for?


2. Why is family so important to him?


3. How important is family to you?

Read John 13:34-35

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.


4. How does the Brown family show love to Paddington?


5. What are some practical ways for us to show love to others?