Paddington 2 (2017) 🐻✨

🐻🍊✨ The Bear Who Went to Jail for… Marmalade?


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Let’s start by showing y’all the trailers, shall we? 🎬

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Non-Spoiler Plot Overview

Our favorite marmalade-loving bear returns, still living happily with the Brown family in London. Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) wants to buy Aunt Lucy the perfect birthday present — a rare pop-up book of London landmarks. But when the book is stolen, Paddington gets framed for the crime and ends up in prison. Now, the Browns must prove his innocence while Paddington works his magic on the inmates, turning even the grumpiest criminals into marmalade enthusiasts.


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Character Rundown

Paddington (Ben Whishaw) – Still the embodiment of politeness, optimism, and chaos wrapped in fur. He remains the beating heart of the story.

Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville) – Still cautious, though more supportive this time around, especially after realizing how much Paddington has brightened their lives.

Mary Brown (Sally Hawkins) – Braver and even more loving here, willing to risk everything to prove Paddington’s innocence.

Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant) – The villain this time is a washed-up actor who disguises himself in absurd costumes to hunt treasure. Hugh Grant chews the scenery in the best way possible.

Knuckles McGinty (Brendan Gleeson) – The prison chef with a temper and a mean glare. Once Paddington shows him marmalade sandwiches, Knuckles (yes, that’s his name) transforms into a softie. Fun side note: Gleeson also played Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter films.



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Pacing / Episode Flow

The movie flows smoother than the first film. There’s less setup, more fun, and a constant rhythm of humor and heart. Even when Paddington is in prison, the film never feels bleak — instead, it leans into the absurd charm of a bear making pink prison uniforms fashionable.


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Pros

Paddington’s optimism continues to be contagious.

The absurdity of watching a bear not only survive prison but completely reform it is comedy gold. 🍊

Hugh Grant delivers one of the best comedic villain performances in modern family cinema — campy, theatrical, and self-aware.

The visuals are imaginative, especially the London pop-up book sequence.

Aunt Lucy’s presence, even from afar, gives the film its emotional anchor.



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Cons

The central misunderstanding — everyone instantly believing Paddington robbed the shop because of marmalade at the scene — is flimsy, even by kids’ movie logic. Really? He’s the only marmalade fan in London? 🙄

Some prison gags, while funny, get stretched a bit long.



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Why Paddington 2 Is Considered Even Better Than the First 🐻✨

While Paddington (2014) charmed audiences by introducing the little bear to modern London, Paddington 2 builds on that foundation with more confidence, more heart, and a sharper sense of humor.

Refined Warmth: The sequel leans harder into how Paddington changes those around him. It’s not just about the Browns anymore — it’s about his kindness transforming even hardened criminals.

A Villain Who Knows He’s Silly: Hugh Grant’s Phoenix Buchanan embraces absurd campiness, which makes his downfall funnier instead of frightening.

Cohesive Tone: The balance of whimsy and danger is handled better here, without tonal whiplash.

Stronger Emotional Payoff: Aunt Lucy’s storyline makes the ending unforgettable, delivering a beautiful emotional punch.

Critical Consensus: It’s often called one of the best family sequels ever made, with critics comparing it to Toy Story 2.



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Final Thoughts

Paddington 2 takes everything that worked in the first film and dials it up. It’s warmer, sillier, and surprisingly moving. The absurdity of a bear reforming a prison with marmalade sandwiches is balanced with the heartfelt payoff of Aunt Lucy’s dream coming true. And Hugh Grant’s over-the-top villainy gives the film a comedic edge that ensures it never takes itself too seriously.


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Rating

10/10 🎉


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Spoiler Warning 🚨🐻

From here on out, full spoilers for Paddington 2.


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Spoilers

Paddington is falsely accused after Phoenix Buchanan, in disguise, steals the pop-up book. The flimsy evidence — marmalade jars — gets Paddington locked up. The absurdity is part of the humor, but it’s also frustrating because the Browns immediately know he’s innocent.

In prison, Paddington befriends Knuckles McGinty, the terrifying prison chef. Paddington suggests marmalade, and suddenly Knuckles’ cold demeanor cracks. Paddington then reforms the entire cafeteria, turning grim prison food into a full-blown bakery of pastel-colored treats. Watching hardened inmates politely serve each other tea and pastries is peak Paddington absurdity.

Meanwhile, the Browns investigate Buchanan. Hugh Grant shines as Phoenix, hamming it up in multiple disguises (including a nun). He isn’t evil in a terrifying way — he’s ridiculous, vain, and desperate. His song-and-dance number in the credits cements this as one of the most fun villain turns in modern cinema.

The climax takes place on a moving train, where Paddington is trapped underwater. In a surprisingly tense moment, he nearly drowns before being saved at the last second. The Browns clear his name, Buchanan is arrested, and Aunt Lucy finally receives her dream gift — a chance to see London. That last moment is pure emotional payoff.