Paddington
Recommended. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
Paddington is a young bear from Peru who comes to London looking for a home. The Brown family takes him in, and his good manners and kind heart slowly change them. A mean museum lady wants to catch him, and those parts can be scary. There is also a silly scene where a grown-up drinks too much. It is a fun movie for kids about six and up to watch with a parent. Paddington is a welcome-the-stranger story with real warmth. A polite bear asks a busy family for a home, and by loving him they become a family again. Know three things going in: the taxidermist villain is truly menacing for small children, Mrs. Bird wins a drinking contest played for laughs, and Mr. Brown's disguise in a dress draws a flirting guard.
For parents
CNS says A-II for the innuendo and bathroom humor, and Common Sense Media says six and up. Most families will find it fine for school-age children with a parent in the room. Tell little ones beforehand that the bear is never stuffed. Say plainly that Mrs. Bird getting a guard drunk is not a good way to solve a problem. Ask: who welcomed Paddington and who walked past? What did Jesus say about welcoming a stranger (Matthew 25:35, CCC 2447)? Why does Mr. Brown change his mind?