Red Sparrow is a 2018 spy-thriller film directed by Francis Lawrence who worked with Jennifer Lawrence (the star here) on a couple of the Hunger Games movies, but this is a very different beast. Jennifer Lawrence plays Dominika Egorova (in, it has to be said, a not entirely convincing Russian accent), and Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenarts and Charlotte Rampling star as the film's secondary characters. This one is a pretty big departure from what Lawrence has done in the past, although it has to be said that she's making some pretty bold career choices. I'm not the first one to say that, and for a good reason: it's true. After last year's Mother! it appeared as if she was trying purposefully trying to appear in more "mature" films, and believe me, it doesn't get much more mature than Red Sparrow. The film plays out like one of those schlocky exploitation from the seventies, in that there's sexual violence, sex, violence, torture, and all manner o
Paddington 2 is a 2017 adventure comedy film directed by Paul King, who was also behind the first Paddington film. It was written by him and Simon Farnaby. It stars Ben Wishaw, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, and Peter Capaldi. This time, Paddington decides he wants to buy his Aunt (who has never visited London) a birthday gift, and chooses a pop-up book which depicts twelve famous London landmarks. The problem is, the book is very expensive and Paddington takes a job to raise money for it. Unfortunately, the book is stolen and then Paddington is framed for the robbery by Hugh Grant's Phoenix Buchanan.
Sometimes, you see a film that you hate so much that you want to forget about it as soon as you've left the cinema. Other times, you see a film that you wish you could watch again for the first time because it leaves such an impression on you. Paddington 2 is one of those films. I loved every single aspect of it.
Let's start with the cast. I don't think I've ever seen Hugh Grant act as well as he does in this film. His performance is so good that I can forgive him for being in Love Actually (almost.) Brendan Gleeson is absolutely brilliant as Knuckles McGinty. Everyone else is equally as good, and their performances are made better by an absolutely brilliant script. It's funny, poignant and has a pretty smart pro-immigration/anti-brexit political stance. It's rare to see a film that's equally as entertaining for adults as it is children, but Paul King has hit the nail on the head with Paddington 2.
The animation in this film is absolutely beautiful. The way Paddington moves and looks is incredibly realistic. Some of the animated set-pieces (like a 3D rendition of the storybook Paddington wants to buy) are jaw-dropping, and rival some of the beautiful set-pieces in the montage at the end of La La Land. On top of that, the story is genuinely exciting. The action sequences are fast-paced and thrilling in a way that a lot of action directors could learn from (Michael Bay, I'm looking at you.)
But the best thing about Paddington 2 is that it's an absolutely joyous, pure-hearted film. Compassion leaks out of every frame, and it's rare to see a film that's so respectful of both its characters and its audience. I have to admit, as the film reached its climax I had a tear in my eye, and it wasn't out of sadness. Happy films are incredibly rare these days, which makes it all the more refreshing when a film like Paddington 2 comes around. It's genuinely heartwarming.
Paddington 2 is a pitch-perfect family comedy. If you have the means, go and see this film. I was feeling pretty irritated when I woke up, but as I left the screening all of the anger had melted away and I wanted to head straight back in and watch it again. This is the kind of film which young children will remember as a classic in ten or fifteen years time, and for good reason. Paddington 2 is the best children's film I've seen in a very long time, and easily one of the best of the year.
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