In 2014, it was hard to perceive what an impact the 'Paddington' franchise would have. It was simply what the world needed; a wholesome family film filled with just oh so much heart. Then in 2017, 'Paddington 2' became one of only a few films to earn 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and was the most-reviewed film to earn that title, overtaking 'Toy Story 2'. Everyone loves this bear and the Brown family, and it became the film to put on when you needrf to have a wholesome cry. Now, he's back and heading to his homeland, Peru!
Paddington (Ben Whishaw, 'No Time to Die', 'Mary Poppins Returns') continues to send letters to his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton, 'Downton Abbey: A New Era', 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil'), hoping to one day visit her. One day, he gets a letter not from his aunt but from The Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman, 'Wonka', 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish'), who works at the Home for Retired Bears, informing him that Lucy is missing. So now Paddington, along with the Brown family - Henry (Hugh Bonneville, 'Downton Abbey', 'Viceroy's House'), Mary (Emily Mortimer, 'Hugo', 'The Bookshop'), Judy (Madeleine Harris), Jonathan (Samuel Joslin, 'The Impossible') and Mrs Bird (Julie Walters, 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again', 'Sherlock Gnomes') - are off to Peru to find her. When they arrive, they enlist the help of Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas, 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish', 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny') and his daughter Gina (Carla Tous) as they believe she is off to find the lost city of El Dorado. The search is on to find Aunt Lucy!
'PADDINGTON IN PERU' TRAILER
'Paddington in Peru' has a huge challenge from the jump, not only is it following 'Paddington 2' and all its accolades, but it's without the director of the first two films, Paul King. It also sees Sally Hawkins not returning, with Mary Brown instead portrayed by Emily Mortimer. But with all that in mind, 'Paddington in Peru' is still an extremely fun sequel. The film does struggle for several reasons, mainly related to the setting. The jungle is a very different environment to Britain, and with that change, we lose some of the British charm. The film is also more plot-focused than the previous two, and because of that, we lose some of those vignettes of Paddington just roaming around and experiencing normal life.
Paddington is such a loveable character that any time spent with him is so joyful. Compared to other family films, 'Paddington in Peru' is leagues above them. It's truly only when you compare it to the first two films that it's slightly weaker.
Paddington is such a loveable character that any time spent with him is so joyful. Compared to other family films, 'Paddington in Peru' is leagues above them. It's truly only when you compare it to the first two films that it's slightly weaker.
Olivia Colman is truly the shining star of the film. Her comedic timing is nothing short of brilliance and I absolutely loved her in every scene. She gets a musical number that is just perfectly hilarious and delightful. My biggest negative is Antonio Banderas' character; while he does bring the right energy, a lot of his jokes quickly get overused and he takes up much screen time previously dominated by the Brown family. The Brown family children have barely any dialogue, and while Banderas does add some fun to the film he very much overstays his welcome and could have been replaced with the original characters. Sally Hawkins was a lot of the heart of the first two films, and without her 'Paddington in Peru' does take a second to find its feet. However, Emily Mortimer is truly the best replacement you can ask for and while she isn't Hawkins, she brings her own warmth to the role.
'Paddington in Peru' does take our favourite bear in a new direction. It's a fun adventure mystery film that, at times, lacks some of the core things we loved in his first adventures. Paddington is so loveable that I would watch him do about anything, so even though 'Peru' may be one of the weaker entries in this franchise it's still leagues above a lot of the other family content out there.