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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days working 2 jobs, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
Paddington Brown is not only a certified star, but he is genuinely a cinematic revelation! First appearing in 2014’s Paddington, the adorable brown bear was outstandingly brought to life through photorealistic CG and Ben Whishaw’s tender voice.
Based on a run of children’s novels by British author Michael Bond, the first two films were both delightful and hilarious. Director Paul King (Space Force, Wonka) combined whimsical storytelling with visually creative edits that perfectly encapsulated the joyful spirit of a loveable brown bear. That initial pair of Paddington films are admittedly huge comfort films of mine. They never cease to put a huge smile on my face, so… It goes without saying that this third installment definitely had a lot to live up to. Helmed by first-time director Dougal Wilson, Paddington in Peru is honestly an entertaining and likable film. Yet, it’s just not quite as good as what has come before it.
Visually Sharp
Perhaps Paddington in Peru‘s strongest trait is the stunning landscapes and elaborate set pieces throughout the journey. One particular sequence showcases a bright green hill with a beautiful mountain range in the background. It’s quite breathtaking and definitely seems to be an homage to the all-time classic, The Sound of Music. Whether it’s the Peruvian villages that the Brown family passes through or the epic chase sequence through Peru’s natural wonder Machu Picchu, the film is always full of life and gorgeous details.
After spending his first two stories in London, Paddington and his adopted “Brown” family journey to Peru to visit his dear Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton). The adventure kicks into gear when, upon arrival, they find Aunt Lucy missing. With the help from Aunt Lucy’s Reverend Mother (portrayed by Academy Award-winner Olivia Colman), the Brown family ventures into the Amazon jungle to find her. The jungle locale was briefly seen in flashbacks before, but it was a very welcome change of scenery for this particular story.
An Inspired Cast
Aiding the Brown family on their quest is riverboat captain Hunter Cabot, portrayed by another Academy Award-worthy talent in Antonio Banderas (Desperado, Spy Kids, The Skin I Live In). The actor is in fine form as a charming tour guide haunted by the greed of his family’s past. He literally is haunted by his ancestors. That fact causes him to be questionable at times, but he is also genuinely caring for his daughter Gina (Carla Tous), who helps keep things together on the boat. While both Banderas and Colman play their respective parts well enough, what stood out the most was actually in the form of a recasting.
Emily Mortimer (Cars 2, Mary Poppins Returns) replaces Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown. Mortimer is sweet but just doesn’t quite fit the same. The character of Mary Brown generally wasn’t really given a whole lot to do, especially compared to the previous entries. Aside from their matriarch, the entire cast of the Brown family returns from the previous films.
Enjoyably Charming But Not Quite Brilliant
Paul King and Simon Farnaby’s 2017 entry, Paddington 2, isn’t just a wonderful film. In my opinion, it’s one of the greatest sequels of all time. This makes any follow-up set with quite a daunting task. To even simply match the quality would be difficult let alone trying to top it in any shape or form.
With all that being said, Paddington in Peru is actually pretty good. It still has funny signature moments from our star bear and captures the established, heartwarming style well. Unfortunately, there are just the slightest of downgrades in certain areas that bring the film down. King, Farnaby, Mark Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont’s script lags a little in the second act, the loss of Sally Hawkins is notable, and though Dario Marianelli’s musical composition is cute it’s not quite as catchy or strong as previous songs. All in all, this third installment is good but not great.
3/5 stars
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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days working 2 jobs, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
