Paddington is a sweet, cuddly, and joyously entertaining family movie, with amazing visuals to match its large, fuzzy heart.

A lot can be said about films made for kids these days. They are big, they are dazzling, and they are a little too dark. What many kids’ films are not is “sweet”. Not in the overly saturated, silly way. But in a way that leaves a nice, warm feeling in your soul and smile on your face. Paddington does just that.

Based on the popular character of children’s literature created by Michael Bond, there was a healthy amount of speculation and cynicism towards this film adaptation. The late-in-production replacement of Colin Firth with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington didn’t help matters. Yet within the first five minutes of Paddington, any hesitations are squashed with this great big bear hug of a film.

The decision to have Paddington go the live-action route pays off in a big way, with the character design of this marmalade munching bear out of this world good, with so real you can touch it fur surrounding such innocent, lovable eyes that will make many say “awwww…”

Which is what happens when dire circumstances has Paddington travel from “Darkest Peru” to a London where the sight of a talking bear does little to amaze the public, but does irk the curiosity of an eccentric family who takes this poor bear into their home.

At this point Paddington takes on two distinctive facets: The first is that of a gag movie, with one excellent physical comedy sketch after another and plenty of Looney Toons-esque shenanigans of the highest quality keeping the laugh reflex healthy; and the second is that of an immigrant story, with Paddington a stranger looking for a home in a strange land.

A rich ensemble cast play both friend and foe in his journey. Sally Hawkins and Hugh Bonnevile are great as the mismatched married couple (she of hippy aloofness, he of conservative dourness) who take Paddington in; Peter Capaldi is at his cranky best as a nosy neighbour with racist undertones; and Nicole Kidman plays quite the memorable villain who has an appetite for getting inside animals great and small.

The biggest star of Paddington is the excellent post production work. Along with the before mentioned excellent character effects, Paddington is awash with beautiful digital imagery that blends well with its real world environments. And then there is the voice work from Ben Whishaw, who delivers his dialogue with a sweetness and purity that is perfectly suited to a character who 60 years after his creation, is given a new lease of life for a new generation.