British comedy has always had its fans here in the US (I certainly count myself in that group), but let’s face facts there are only a small section of us who appreciate it. For instance if you live in the US, quickly name ten people that you know who have watched a Monty Python film or an episode of Absolutely Fabolous. I’ll wait, knock it down to 5 and if you aren’t British yourself, I doubt that most of the people reading could qualify. Subjecting your spouse to the Dead Parrot bit during a Friday night doesn’t count either. Anyhow, the first two films of Paddington both enjoyed a bit of success here in the states but were huge hits for UK, Australia, and many other countries. Honestly, with the third one I saw some blurb on Box Office Mojo late last year and then not again until one week before release here in the states. Which is quite sad because I really enjoyed the first two films. My son has a Paddington Bear so I could certainly convince him as well as my wife to go see Paddington in Peru. Let’s take a look at how it played out.
The movie opens up with Paddington (voiced by Ben Wishaw) getting more acclimated to life as a British citizen. He takes some photos for his passport (funny I have the same style photo on my driver’s license). He is still staying with the Brown family who have grown up as well. The daughter, Judy (played by Madeleine Harris) is trying to find a suitable college for continuing education while the brother, Jonathan(played by Samuel Joslin) is firmly a teenager but spends his time inventing gadgets and playing video games.
The father, Henry (played by Hugh Bonneville) gets a new boss, Madison (played by Haley Atwell) who even though they run an insurance business wants Henry to take on more risk. Meanwhile, the wife and mother Mary (played by Emily Mortimer)is spending her time painting more and wonder how time went so quickly now that her children are growing up. Don’t forget Mrs. Bird (played by Julie Waters), the housekeeper who spends her time crossing items off from her bucket list.
Back to the story, we also reach back to the past and learn how Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) was instrumental in the development of the young Paddington before he found the Brown family. As time passes, Aunt Lucy can not take care of herself the way she used to. She eventually has to retire to the Home for Retired Bears in Peru. However, present day, Paddington receives a letter from the Reverend Mother (played by Olivia Coleman) explaining that Aunt Lucy is acting strangely and deeply misses her nephew.
Paddington decides he must travel to Peru to see his troubled Aunt. The Brown family quickly decides to accompany the bear since Henry needs to prove to his boss that he can accept risk and Mary wants to spend more time with Judy and Jonathan before they fully grow up. Once there in Peru, the Reverend Mother explains that Aunt Lucy has wandered off into the jungle and gone missing. It’s up to Paddington and the Brown family to go find her. One problem, they’ll need a boat and a ship captain to run that boat.
This is also when the movie really finds its legs. That captain is none other than Hunter Cabot played by Antonio Banderas. His daughter, Gina (played by Carla Tous) is along for the ride and this moves the story along at a much better pace. In fact, this is the movie’s greatest strength is in its co-stars with Antonio, Carla and Olivia Coleman doing the heavy lifting for the film. There are mysteries to unravel and everything seems to point to Rumi Rock.
There is nothing I enjoy more than a riveting adventure with some twists & turns along the way. That’s exactly what Paddington in Peru gives us in a very solid story and leans into Paddington’s journey into finding his roots. This was necessary as the arc for a British family adopt a strange talking bear story was finished in the first two films. There is already a fourth film in the works as well which is great to hear for fans of the franchise.
However, many will agree that there was no need to create a third film and that this was nothing more than a “fish out of water” type movie. Hey, let’s put the Brown family and Paddington in Peru! Why…I don’t know because British people in the jungle sounds funny. But I would counter that despite how it looks on paper, it really works. It’s warm, it’s funny, has some wonderful co-stars and delivers on pacing, story and family fun.
Paddington in Peru has been in the US market for about 4 weeks now, gaining thirty two million and some change. Naturally, other international markets have been much kinder to the curious bear but the film was also released last year there. Even the 4k disc (as well as a trilogy 3-pack) has already made the international market. Such a late release and expecting any sort of traction (especially with sharing opening weekend with the new Captain America movie) was misguided at best.
The truth is however, Paddington in Peru is a fine family film. It continues the series wonderfully, and based on the final scenes almost certainly setting itself up for a potential sequel. It keeps the kind and gentle laughs we are accustomed to that are very welcome when other family films tend to have some questionable material. This third film has an epic story and setting this time around. It is full of twists and turns and some great co-stars that help keep the plot fresh. While watching the first two films help with some of the plot and backstory of the core family, one could easily watch this out of order from the other two and not miss a beat. Very recommended and proof that Paddington is still worth watching in 2025. Enjoy.
Note: For those that have read this far, there are not one but two (mid and after credits) extra scenes involving a certain co-star from the first two films that is worth staying for.
| Overall: |  (8 / 10) |
