When I watched Paul King’s Paddington for the first time, I was on an airplane and chose to watch it on a whim. I wasn’t expecting much of it at all and mainly chose it as something to pass the time, but I ended up being utterly delighted by it. I have since seen it many more times, as it has become one of my go-to comfort movies. When Paddington 2 came out, I was skeptical and unsure if it could live up to the first film. Thankfully, the film ended up being one of the rare sequels to improve on its predecessor, and greatly exceeded my own expectations. This brings us to the third film in the franchise: Paddington in Peru. When the film was first announced, I was ecstatic that we would be getting another Paddington movie, but I became a little hesitant when I found out that director Paul King wouldn’t be returning. He is a key component to the success of the first two films, and I couldn’t help but wonder if a third installment would work out well without him at the helm. While I would say that Paddington in Peru is perhaps the weakest of the franchise thus far, it is still quite good, and has plenty of the charm and joy that radiates throughout its previous entries. It may not reach the heights of Paddington 2, but it is still a lovely adventure that has the heartfeltness and creative streak that fans of the series have grown accustomed to.
Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) is enjoying his life with the Brown family in London. He has become a beloved presence in his neighborhood, and he has finally begun to feel at home there. One day, he receives a letter from the Home for Retired Bears where his Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) lives. The letter states that she has been acting strange, and that she misses him greatly. The Browns decide to go to Peru to visit her, but discover that she has gone missing upon their arrival. Paddington and the Browns then embark on a quest to find her, and are aided by explorer Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter, Gina (Carla Tous). Along the way, they become aware of a mysterious treasure that lies out in the jungle, which causes their journey to go off-course. As they traverse through the jungle, Paddington continues to spread positivity, and goes on his most dangerous adventure yet.
Paul King’s absence is felt a bit throughout this film, but it still comes awfully close to capturing that distinct spark that he brings to the Paddington series. It seems that King and Simon Farnaby, who co-wrote Paddington 2, had some considerable input in the creative process, as they both have a story credit on this and you can see some of their fingerprints on certain aspects of the film. That said, the film does feel different from the previous two films, partially because of the change in setting and that it takes heavy inspiration from adventure films, but it also feels less silly than its predecessors. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is noticeable. I kind of like that the film takes a different approach, but I did miss the distinct brand of humor that the first two films had. Some of it is still present in certain moments, but it feels like the film is trying to imitate what King and Farnaby brought to the table more than anything. Make no mistake, the film’s comedy is still pretty good, but it does feel like a slight step down from the first two films.
What I appreciate the most about the film, however, is that it is trying new things and that most of them work pretty well. I love that the film feels more like an adventure movie, and the new characters we meet are quite fun as well. I do think that the film’s action sequences are solid, but I couldn’t help but feel they would have been even better if King was directing them. First-time director Dougal Wilson does an admirable job throughout, but you can tell he’s still figuring things out at times when it comes to the larger scale of certain moments. He does excel when it comes to the film’s more heartfelt moments, especially when it comes to the relationships between Paddington and the Brown family. The film does feel more emotional than the other two films, touching on themes of family and identity through Paddington’s journey. This is sprinkled throughout the film before culminating in a finale that ranks among the most touching moments of the entire series. I really appreciated the approach that the film takes, and that it stays true to the first two films without feeling like it is completely ripping them off.
One of the best elements of the Paddington series is its casting, and that continues here. Returning players like Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, and Julie Walters are excellent, as are the actors who are new to the franchise. One of my biggest concerns was the recasting of Sally Hawkins with Emily Mortimer. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Mortimer’s work, but Hawkins is so good in the role of Mrs. Brown, and her take on the character is so distinct that it is hard for me to imagine anyone else in the role. Thankfully, Mortimer takes on a different approach to the role, embracing the more emotional parts of the character and making it her own.
I was very impressed with the performances of Antonio Banderas and Olivia Colman, both of whom perfectly tap into the energy of the film. Both are clearly having a ball here, and give it their all. Banderas definitely has more to work with between the two, and his character’s journey is entertaining and ultimately quite sweet. He gets the chance to flex his comedic muscles and to play a more villainous role. He is funny, fully-committed, and fits into the film so well. Colman also makes her mark on the film, playing the Reverend Mother at the Home for Retired Bears. I always love to see Olivia Colman in anything, and I especially love it when she gets to play a more comedic role. She is so funny all throughout this film, and absolutely nails every scene she is in.
I can see some being disappointed in Paddington in Peru because it isn’t quite as strong as Paddington 2, but it should be understood that that is a ridiculously high bar to reach. While Paddington in Peru might slightly pale in comparison to the other films in the franchise, it is still utterly charming and cute, and maintains the joyful, positive atmosphere that the series has become known for. If nothing else, I can appreciate that this film doesn’t just rest on its laurels and that it gives us a fun adventure movie that the whole family can enjoy. I can’t help but feel the film might have been a tiny bit better if Paul King had returned to direct, but Dougal Wilson does an admirable job, especially since this is his debut feature. This may be the weakest of the series thus far, but it is still quite delightful and has plenty to love within it. It is yet another great adventure for everyone’s favorite British bear, and positions the Paddington franchise as one of the strongest and more consistent film series out there.
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