Paddington has finally returned to the big screen with his latest film, Paddington in Peru, nearly eight years after the heartwarming cinematic masterpiece, Paddington 2. The cinematic franchise following the iconic, well-mannered bear, has become an international phenomenon, not only among families, but among adults as well. However, the mastermind behind the film’s success, Paul King, and Mrs. Brown, played beautifully by Sally Hawkins, have decided not to follow Paddington to his homeland in Peru. So needless to say, you feel the void left by them in Paddington in Peru. It is still a heartwarming family-adventure that feels like a warm hug, but it doesn’t have the magic that made the first two films so special.
After Paddington (voiced again by the wonderful Ben Whishaw) receives a concerning letter about his Aunt Lucy, Paddington and the Brown’s decide to make the journey to his homeland of Peru to search for his Aunt Lucy in the Amazonian jungle. Along the way they receive help from the Reverend Mother (Olivia Coleman, who is simply a delight), and river boat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas, who hamming it up) to help find her. However, their search turns out to be more than they bargained for as their search leads them to the lost city of El Dorado.
Paddington in Peru is, at the very least, an entertaining family adventure filled with warmth and heart. It delivers plenty of fun, action-packed moments, complete with Paddington’s signature clumsy charm. However, when you look beyond the surface, the film falls a bit flat. It admirably attempts to explore themes of found family and the immigrant experience, but these ideas never fully take shape, as the film prioritizes spectacle over depth. That’s not to say the thrilling chase through El Dorado or the journey down piranha-infested Amazonian rivers isn’t enjoyable—they absolutely are. But when a film introduces such meaningful themes, it’s fair to expect them to leave a stronger impact on the story.
Overall, Paddington in Peru is an enjoyable and heartfelt adventure, but it lacks the magic that made the first two films so special. While it’s undeniably fun, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessors. First-time director Dougal Wilson shows potential with his debut, but there’s still room for growth in capturing the charm and depth that defined the earlier films.
My Rating: B
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