Making a sequel is often thankless work. The excitement and anticipation for a beloved story to continue and evolve can often overwhelm, leading said sequel to feel like a disappointment. It was a tall task for Paddington, as the 2014 film received critical acclaim and box office success, particularly in its native United Kingdom. Thankfully, making a captivating sequel was no trouble for one universally adored British bear. 2017’s Paddington 2 manages the tricky feat of improving upon the original in every way, delivering an instant classic, and the best family film of the 21st century.
Now a permanent fixture in the Brown family, Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) is excited to celebrate his Aunt Lucy's (voiced by Imelda Staunton) 100th birthday. He’s found the perfect gift for her at a local antique shop: a striking pop-up book of London. Paddington works tirelessly around the city, including cleaning windows and cutting hair to earn money for the book. One fateful evening, Paddington witnesses someone breaking into the antique shop, and after an unsuccessful chase, Paddington himself gets accused of stealing the book and is sentenced to prison.
