Paddington in Peru

With the success of the first two Paddington films, it’s inevitable that a third film, Paddington in Peru, would follow to make it a trilogy. While I was unfamiliar with Paddington when this film was announced, I quickly became a fan after watching the first two films in anticipation, and hoped that the third would maintain the same level of quality despite a change in director. After seeing it opening weekend, although it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as the previous films, it does nonetheless feel like a worthy successor to the original duology.

After officially becoming an English citizen, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) receives a letter from the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) at the Home for Retired Bears, telling him that his Aunt Lucy misses him to the point of exhibiting unusual behavior. The Browns decide to head to Peru with Paddington, who also feels a strange connection to a Peruvian artifact, only to be told that Aunt Lucy has gone missing. Determined to make sure his Aunt Lucy is okay, Paddington decides he wants to head into the jungle to look for her, with most of the Brown family joining him.

 

Paddington (Ben Whishaw) gets a letter from Peru about his Aunt Lucy.

 

Compared with the more grounded nature of the first two films, this one is more like an adventure movie in structure and tone with the Brown family getting caught up in a quest for the legendary city El Dorado, yet it still feels internally consistent within the Paddington universe. While its ending is just as emotional as previous outings, some moments in the interim can feel a little long or unnecessary, among them a lengthy boulder sequence in the third act, as well as a musical sequence in the first that can be explained by director Dougal Wilson’s background in music videos. Despite its flaws, however, it is all tied together well with a consistent theme of the importance of family, as well as Paddington remaining a positive agent of change for those he interacts with.

Like the previous films, this one also plays around with different visual styles and transitions, including a few brief sequences involving paintings, plus the effects for Paddington and other bear characters remain consistently good. The majority of the film being shot on location in Peru also gives the scenery a much-needed sense of authenticity, perfectly capturing the environment the Brown family find themselves in. The characters are also well-acted, with Antonio Banderes (best known to animation fans as the voice of Puss in Boots in the Shrek franchise) in particular displaying a great deal of range as Hunter Cabot as he deals with his internal conflicts.

Paddington in Peru may not have the same feeling of whimsy as its predecessors, but it nonetheless has a heart, even if it awkwardly fumbles its way through on occasion. Granted that you’re familiar with the other films, however, you are still guaranteed a good time.