“Paddington in Peru,” the third installment of the immensely popular Paddington film series, whisks audiences from the whimsical London neighborhoods that served as the backdrop for Paddington’s earlier adventures to the rainforests of Peru, where he must brave the dangers of the Amazon in search of his lost Aunt Lucy. The film debuted in the United Kingdom in November 2024 before becoming available in the United States on Feb. 17. The movie was directed by Dougal Wilson, who took over from Paul King, the director of the first two movies. Though it lacks the quirky charm and richly layered humor of King’s superb direction, Wilson’s picture offers a wonderful family adventure that will win over Paddington fans of all ages.
This movie explores Paddington’s Peruvian roots, offering a nice shift for the series. Paddington returns to his native land, accompanied by the Browns, including parents Henry (Hugh Bonneville) and Mary (Emily Mortimer, who replaces Sally Hawkins) and their two teenage children. The family traverses through rainforests and mountains on a quest to find Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who has mysteriously disappeared from the Home for Retired Bears. The introduction of a wildly theatrical Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) and dashing riverboat captain (Antonio Banderas) add both excitement and comedy to their journey. Along the way, the group stumbles on clues about the mysterious legend of El Dorado and the curse of “gold fever.” The cast is stellar, even though Aunt Lucy, whose disappearance sets the whole quest into motion, only makes a quick cameo at the start and finish. This squandered opportunity to develop her character dilutes the emotional depth of her reunion with Paddington and his return home.
The pacing of “Paddington in Peru” is its most noticeable weakness. Compared to the second Paddington’s dynamic and immediate appeal, the third Paddington opening London sequences seem to drag on a little too long. Emily Mortimer, who steps into the role of Mary Brown, carries a vulnerability and quiet intensity that resonates with viewers. However, the writers’ attempt to draw a parallel between Mary’s wistful adjustment to an empty nest and Paddington’s growing independence from Aunt Lucy feels forced and stalls the movie’s momentum in this first part of the film. Once the action moves to Peru, however, the film hits its stride. Here, the movie’s visuals really shine. Crisp computer-generated imagery and elaborate action set pieces showcasing the vastness of the Amazon and the rocky Andes abound. Director Wilson and Cinematographer Erik Wilson skillfully blend on-location photography with special effects to create a vivid, immersive experience that brings the adventure story to life.
The El Dorado twist wraps things up with a warm, albeit safe, ending that neatly resolves potential conflicts.While the movie hints at the complexities of cultural identity, the subject is never fully explored. Instead, the filmmakers have opted to gloss over Paddington’s potential struggle to reconcile his Peruvian heritage with his new British identity. This may leave some viewers feeling shortchanged and yearning for more.
Despite its shortcomings, “Paddington in Peru” provides a solid one-and-a-half hours of heartwarming and action-packed family fun. Though it is not as good as the first two films in the series, which have become beloved, time-tested classics, there is still much to delight both new and loyal Paddington fans. With a 91% Popcornmeter rating and a 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it’s evident that both audiences and critics agree that this third outing for the bear that loves marmalade is a hit.
Film Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
