Starring Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Brendan Gleeson

Directed by Paul King

Everyone’s favourite duffel-coated bear is back on the big-screen, but find himself doing porridge rather than marmalade after being framed for the theft of a valuable pop-up book.

Paddington was 2014’s surprise Christmas hit, but could it possibly equalled or beaten in terms of its charm and sheer joy? In a word – yes! Writer director Paul King returns with an exciting, fun story co-written by Simon (Horrible Histories) Farnaby, ensuring that the physical comedy gags come thick and fast. And what a cast too! In addition to Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi and Sally Hawkins, there are wonderful turns by Hugh Grant (having the time of his life as a hammy has-been thesp) and Brendan Gleeson as the fearsome Alpha prisoner and chef Knuckles McGinty. And that’s not even including Joanna Lumley, Jessica Hynes and Tom Conti.

Ben Whishaw voices the little bear with an optimistic innocence, shaming the humans who should know better, his motivation being good manners and trying to do the right thing – an unarguable message for the little ones in the audience. But Paddington is so much more than moralising, it’s about the crazy wonders of the world through the lens of an outsider, challenging what’s patently wrong, and loving life along the way.

There’s a bigger budget this time, meaning that the story is on a grander scale, with a wonderful train chase (starting at Paddington Station, of course) and some underwater drama, but be warned that there’s also a bit of mild peril that might upset the very young.

You’ll likely chuckle and laugh out loud, and can you resist shedding the occasional happy sad tear? It’s not a kids’ film, it’s not a family film – it’s a universal film, and if you aren’t won over by the end, you need to be standing in line with Tin Man for that heart.

Verdict: That rare beast of a sequel that takes everything that’s good about a film and amplifies it to even greater effect, Paddington 2 is the perfect antidote to the ills of the real world. Heartwarming, caring, and sweeter than the marmalade in his crustless sandwiches, this is a winner. 10/10

Nick Joy