‘Paddington 2’
Despite being a partially animated children’s movie, Paddington 2 is for adults as much as it is for kids, and it’s the perfect movie to kick off the new year on a high note. The rare sequel that surpasses the first movie, Paddington 2 follows everyone’s favorite marmalade-loving bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) as he searches for the best present possible for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, and as a result, becomes entangled in a robbery. The storyline takes Paddington to some unexpected places, and features standout performances from Brendan Gleeson as prison chef Knuckles McGinty and Hugh Grant, in a similar performance to his turn as Forge in last year’s Dungeons and Dragons, as the movie’s flamboyant villain, Phoenix Buchanan. If you checked out Wonka over the holidays, Paddington 2 makes a perfect follow up; both are directed by Paul King and feature the same whimsical, colorful style, plus they have a few cast members in common. Paddington 2 features a message of joy and kindness — a perfect mindset to start 2024 in.