Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into...
As a childhood fan of the blue-coated, red hat wearing, marmalade-loving bear, it certainly wasn’t difficult to be charmed by “Paddington in Peru,” an absolute joy of a movie from director Dougal Wilson. Delivering another heartwarming and adventurous tale, this third installment in the series takes the lovable protagonist and the Brown family on an exciting journey deep into the Amazon. The result is a family-friendly romp that blends humor, mystery, and plenty of heart.
When Paddington (voice of Ben Whishaw) receives word that his dear Aunt Lucy (voice of Imelda Staunton) has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he rushes to Peru to try and find her. Not wanting to set out on a whirlwind adventure alone, he travels with the Brown family (Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Samuel Joslin, Madeleine Harris) and Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters) in tow. When they arrive, the nun in charge (Olivia Colman) seems a little “off,” especially after learning that the visitors have hired a mysterious boat captain (Antonio Banderas) to navigate the jungle. A quest to find Aunt Lucy quickly transforms into an extraordinary adventure, leading Paddington to uncover numerous secrets about his original family.
The film is wholesome and has something for everyone (it’s rated PG for some mildly intense moments), and it’s impossible not to be charmed by its core themes of family, love, perseverance, and always seeing the best in people. Paddington’s kind-hearted nature and unwavering optimism make him a delight to watch. He’s a terrific role model for kids and adults alike, although his innocence sometimes leads to trouble. As always, the brave little bear’s courage and belief in the goodness of others ultimately help him navigate challenges (and often save the day in the most adorable ways possible).
The Browns are portrayed as the most supportive of families, with Mrs. Brown fretting about her eldest heading off to college and Mr. Brown feeling stressed about his new boss at work and her “embrace the risk” philosophy. Their busy lives mean they haven’t been spending as much time together, and the adventure through Peru brings them closer.
The adventure itself has enough excitement to keep children and their parents entertained, especially with the highly enjoyable supporting turns from Banderas and Colman. They both seem to have a lot of fun with their roles, which translates into a good time for viewers. The film balance whimsical fantasy with real stakes, especially with some of the characters motivated by greed and the promise of finding hidden treasure. Paddington, of course, remains steadfast in his values, offering a strong moral compass throughout the journey.
There are lots of funny jokes and sight gags too, even if the finale does lean a bit too far into silliness. However, the sheer warmth, humor, and heart of the movie more than make up for it, especially the beautiful reminder that a home is where you make it. “Paddington in Peru” is a delightful, smart, and adventurous family film packed with humor, charm, and important messages about love and perseverance. This one’s a winner.
