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It’s widely held that the first two “Paddington” films are near flawless examples of family-friendly cinema. Holding a near-perfect score of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems audiences and critics alike view “Paddington 2” as one of the greatest sequels of all time.

With these first two films setting an incredibly high bar, a third installment of this beloved franchise proved a difficult feat. While “Paddington in Peru” might have tried to recapture this magic, it struggled to live up to the charm of its predecessors.

“Paddington in Peru” was released in theaters on Feb. 14 and picks up in the present day. It’s directed by Dougal Wilson, known for his work on commercials and music videos like Coldplay’s Life in Technicolor II, which was nominated for a Grammy.

“Paddington in Peru” marks Wilson’s feature film debut, stepping in for the franchise’s former director Paul King. Consequently, Wilson faced significant pressure to maintain the franchise’s high standards. Wilson said in an interview with RadioTimes.com that he was nervous to take on the role of director.

“I’m not sure excited was the right word, I think terrified is probably more accurate,” Wilson said.

The family adventure film follows Paddington as he heads back to his native Peru, visiting his Aunt Lucy at a home for retired bears (yes, that’s a thing, apparently). But when Paddington and the Browns (his human family) arrive, they find that Aunt Lucy has mysteriously gone missing. With action similar to that of “Indiana Jones,” the family — armed with bear-like optimism — sets off into the lush and dangerous Amazon rainforest to find her.

The clever humor is as sharp as ever and there are plenty of Paddington’s signature comedic stunts. The cartoonish feel and the familiar theatrical acting also returns. On the other hand, while taking the bear from the streets of London to the vast Amazon rainforest might seem like an exciting change of pace, it’s not all sunshine and marmalade.

Though Paddington’s lovable clumsiness and kind nature persist through Ben Whishaw’s voice acting, the elements that made the first two films so special get lost in the jungle. It turns out that Paddington’s real magic is in his ability to awkwardly and politely navigate the chaos of everyday human life, like getting arrested or using the bathroom and flooding it to the ceiling.

That being said, setting the film in the Amazon does offer unarguable perks. The cinematography? Irresistible. The lush greenery, vibrant landscape and the aerial shots of the rainforest are truly breathtaking. While it might not capture the coziness of the first two films, the jungle’s beauty gives its own mark of adventure.

The most disappointing aspect was the rather basic “jungle adventure” storyline and the movie’s tendency to spoon-feed the plot as it made sure the audience understood its convoluted and poorly-planned storytelling. Even worse, despite being set in Peru, the film feels disconnected from the country’s culture, treating its Indigenous people as little more than scenery in the background.

The film also introduced some notable shifts in its cast, with three significant additions of Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Emily Mortimer. Sadly, Mortimer is a replacement of Sally Hawkins, the fan favorite Mrs. Brown in the first two films. Hawkins’ exit was as wholesome and peaceful as a Paddington film; she simply felt it was time to let someone else play the role.

“For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one can’t get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special,” Hawkins said in an interview with The Huffington Post.

Mortimer doesn’t quite bring the same sweet and vulnerable artsy mom charm, but that doesn’t overshadow the heartwarming adventure of the Brown family and the familiar faces we know and love. The Reverend Mother who runs the home for retired bears, played by Olivia Colman, introduces a quirky and wild character, adding an unexpected layer of comedy to “Paddington in Peru.”

With her weird personality and unpredictable behavior, Colman comes across as a bizarre, yet strangely fitting, addition to the cast. Antonio Banderas brings an amusing smooth and suave nature to this movie, playing a riverboat captain named Hunter Cabot.

“Paddington in Peru” gives us a long-awaited look into Paddington’s origins, showing what shaped him into the charming bear we know and love. He’s spent his whole life being found — first by Aunt Lucy and then by the Browns — but this time, it’s his turn to find someone. The film emphasizes that home isn’t a place; it’s the people you share it with.

At its core, the film is an exploration of identity — two backgrounds, two families, and two different worlds. The film nails the message that it’s important to honor the multiple backgrounds and aspects of yourself.

Although it falls short in capturing the true essence of this franchise, “Paddington in Peru” excels at continuing the warmth of its predecessors and making you shed a tear. In all his clumsy wisdom, Paddington becomes a role model for us all, teaching us to be true to ourselves and accept our differences. And in doing so, he teaches us that whether you’re from Peru, London or Mars, home is where you’re loved, no matter where an adventure may take you.

Published on February 18, 2025 at 11:30 pm