Replacing Paul King, director of the first two Paddington films, wasn’t going to be a small feat, but Douglas Wilson bravely took on the challenge for the third instalment. His task? To create an equally heartwarming and charming movie as the two previous features while ensuring that Paddington in Peru can stand his own ground. With the addition of new A-listers and the chance of scenery, he certainly succeeded in giving this Paddington movie its personality. However, it’s undeniable that the spark that made Paddington and Paddington 2 the extremely well-loved, adorable and triumphant box office successes is missing.
Wilson’s marmalade lacks a bit of zest because Paddington (voiced with the usual warmth, sincerity and authenticity by Ben Whishaw) is no longer causing unrest in his dearly loved, vibrant and fast-paced London. While the movie starts in the heart of the UK – with a fun, snappy, and entertaining scene in a photo booth – most of the feature takes place in Paddington’s natural environment, the jungle. It’s not only the place where laughs, heartwarming family moments and tear-jerking scenes are much scarcer, but also where Paddington’s next adventure takes the beloved furball and his adoptive Brown family to.
That human family gets a much more prominent place in this film. Unlike in the first two features, they’re now out of their element as they try to navigate through untameable rivers and mysterious forests, searching for Paddington’s missing aunt, Lucy (Imelda Staunton). This opportunity is not only a chance for the Brown family—including Mary (Emily Mortimer), daughter Judy (Madeleine Harris), son Jonathan (Samuel Joslin), and live-in housekeeper Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters)—to reconnect, but it also presents a perfect moment for patriarch Henry (Hugh Bonneville). He has the possibility to demonstrate to both his new American boss (Hayley Atwell) and his family that even the most risk-averse man dares to take risks and embrace a more adventurous life.
It’s beautiful to see the family back together – although their re-kindling would have had a more significant impact if the script had delved deeper into the reasons for them growing apart – but because Henry gets his own storyline, Bonneville takes front, back and centre. His being placed in the spotlight works wonderfully well, but it’s also the downside of this feature. Bonneville (Downton Abbey: A New Era, Notting Hill) is in top acting shape, delivering razor-sharp one-liners and hilarious moments. However, because Wilson gives him all the attention, the rest of the family, including the duffle-coated bear himself, doesn’t get much to work with. We would have loved to see more Mortimer (Relic, Match Point), so she could give her own twist to Mary after replacing Sally Hawkins in the role, while witnessing how Paddington is finding the jungle, a place he left many years ago.
While some of the good characters drift away and have little to do, there’s a lot of focus on the baddies in this movie. As proven in the two previous movies, by the ever-sinister Nicole Kidman and the conniving Hugh Grant, the film franchise has always hit the nail on the head when creating the antagonists. This time is no different. When Paddington and his family arrive in Peru and head to Home For Retired Bears on the lookout for Lucy, the overseer Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) welcomes them with open arms. While Colman’s character might not be who she seems to be, the Heartstopper and Wicked Little Letters actress is her usual but slightly underused self. Whether it’s her delivering that musical song right before the Brown’s arrival, trying to get Mrs. Brown off her tale, or struggling to keep pretenses up, Colman delivers fun, entertaining, and sinister acting.
She isn’t the only newcomer in the Paddington universe who gives a BAD-ass performance. She gets excellent company from Antonio Banderas (The Mexico Trilogy, Babygirl), who takes on the role of Hunter Cabot, the handsome captain and explorer guiding the Browns in the right direction. Unlike the Browns themselves, you instantly notice the suspicious vibe hanging about this conflicted baddy, but that doesn’t take away from the wild, captivating and terrific performance by Banderas. However, you can’t help thinking that the more you learn about both baddies, the more you wonder how much inspiration Wilson drew from Grant’s character in the previous Paddington film. The nun costume? Banderas’ Cabot seeing multiple versions of himself? It all sounds too familiar.
That familiarity seeps into the whole storyline, resulting in Paddington in Peru becoming slightly predictable and less warm and witty than the previous films. However, the last emotion-packed scene, which could easily be the next Christmas advertisement of John Lewis, the new additions to the cast, and the still many enjoyable scenes ensure that this film will be loved by both young and old.
Paddington in Peru is out in U.K. theatres on November 8, 2024, courtesy of StudioCanal. The film will debut in U.S. theaters on January 17, 2025, courtesy of Sony.
That familiarity seeps into the whole storyline, resulting in Paddington in Peru becoming slightly predictable and less warm and witty than the previous films. However, the last emotion-packed scene, which could easily be the next Christmas advertisement of John Lewis, the new additions to the cast, and the still many enjoyable scenes ensure that this film will be loved by both young and old.
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GVN Rating
Subtitle translator by day. Film journalist by night.
