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Got young children? This is the ONLY Paddington review you need to read…

Paddington

If you have been watching the news over the past week or two, you’ll know there has been quite a fuss about the new Paddington movie, which opens in cinemas on Friday (28 November). The attention has been on the cinema rating that the British Board Of Film Classification has given the movie – based, of course, on the Michael Bond books beloved by kids for more than 50 years – as instead of a perfect-for-everyone classification of U (for Universal), the film has been rated a PG.

On their website (which you can visit here), the BBFC describes a PG rating as “a film suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.” (There is much more information about what warrants a PG rating on their site should you wish to see it). In a nutshell, this means that a child of any age can see a PG movie accompanied by an adult, but parents/guardians/carers should be aware that there are some scenes that could upset them.

The Movies4Kids review of Paddington will hopefully give you a clearer idea of whether Paddington is suitable for your child. Kids over the age of, say, six, should be absolutely fine, as the movie is a fun, lovely, adventure that truly captures the spirit of Bond’s books (we even get Paddington’s famous ‘hard stare’). If your child is younger, or very sensitive, there are a few moments that may upset them – Paddington is in danger a few times – and it may be a good idea after watching the movie to explain to any adventurous little ones that some of the things Paddington does in the movie SHOULD NOT be attempted at home. For example, he hides in a fridge and also slides down a long bannister – two activities that, if copied, could end up at the very least with a trip to A&E. It’s those scenes, I believe, that have led to the BBFC’s rating.

Click here or above for the Movies4Kids review of this terrific family movie, or for a taste of Paddington’s adventures, watch the clip below.