Paddington: 10 Years On

Paul King's adaptation of Michael Bond's books remains an absolute delight

Credit: StudioCanal

With Paddington in Peru about to hit UK cinemas, I thought this an opportune moment to celebrate what I consider the finest live-action film for all ages to have graced our screens over the last ten years. I am, of course, referring to Paddington (2014). This gem turns ten this year and is thus eligible for the title of “great” under my ten-year rule (I don’t believe films should be called “great” or “classics” until they have, at the very least, stood the test of time for one decade). I should add that whilst Paddington 2 (2017) cannot yet enter that hallowed pantheon, at this point, I consider it an equal in entertainment value. I doubt my position will change over the next three years.

Michael Bond’s books are rightly beloved by certain generations of children. Other generations will perhaps recall the TV series with fondness, and others still may only be aware of the films. Either way, the first Paddington film proved hugely popular with cinema audiences in late 2014 (or early 2015 in the US and various other territories). I recall seeing it with my then six-year-old and ten-year-old, along with my wife. All four of us loved it. But our enjoyment was enhanced by others at the screening. There is nothing quite like a packed cinema audience of delighted children all guffawing at the titular ursine antics (the bathroom fiasco or the inspired “bear left” gag, for instance).