Running Time: 106 minutes
This feature from Sony Pictures opens exclusively in theaters on February 14th.
Paddington Bear is an iconic character in children’s literature, read by millions around the world. While there were animated series based on the mammal, it took until 2014 for a film adaptation to be produced. This feature and its equally impressive 2017 sequel stand as two of the best family movies of this millennium, perfectly encapsulating the themes and messages of the story while adding wry humor that even adults can appreciate. At what they were trying to accomplish, these pictures are pretty much perfect.
After a seven-year hiatus, a new film has arrived. Paddington in Peru includes most of the main cast from the first two movies (with one major exception), but is written and directed by different individuals than the previous entries. As such, it seemed natural to feel trepidation about this follow-up. Indeed, this feature is certainly not in the same league as Paddington and Paddington 2, but the good news is that it is a fun kid’s movie that is still stronger than most family-friendly offerings out there.
This tale sees Paddington Bear (Ben Whishaw) still living in London, England with humans Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville), Mary Brown (Emily Mortimer, replacing Sally Hawkins), their children Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin), as well as Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters). When the protagonist receives word that his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) has vanished from her bear retirement home in Peru, he immediately makes plans to help find her. With the rest of the Browns, the group arrive in South America and encounter The Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman), who appears to be harboring secrets about the disappearance. After learning that Lucy may have been seeking “Lost City of Gold” El Dorado, the family hire riverboat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina (Carla Tous) to take them across the Amazon. However, Paddington and the Brown family quickly learn that some among them have ulterior motives for assisting them.
Like any sequel, the audience’s familiarity with the characters can be both a blessing and a curse. Henry Brown’s risk averse behavior is amusing, but doesn’t result in much in the way of surprises or unexpected turns for the figure. At least there are some very funny moments involving the uncomfortable character in the jungle that are humorously played to maximum effect, including a couple of very close encounters with exotic animals.
Additionally, this effort feels gentler. While nothing overtly disturbing occurred in the first two movies, the protagonist did find himself in grave danger from the vicious villains (one wanted to use Paddington for a coat, while the other framed him and had him locked up in prison). This follow-up does have antagonists, but the threats are more subtle and played almost exclusively for laughs. There isn’t quite as much bite to these characters and, as a result, not as much excitement at being lost in the Amazon as one might hope for.
Thankfully, the supporting cast are very good and elevate the softer material. Colman is hilarious as the nun, performing an unexpected musical number, casting amusing glances and unintentionally drawing attention to herself with “suspicious” comments and mannerisms. Banderas is enjoyable as well as the cursed riverboat captain. As he becomes more unglued during the journey, he begins having conversations with various ancestors, who all passed away in comically exaggerated ways searching for El Dorado. The two guest stars give it their all and manage to keep viewers smiling. And there is a brief cameo after the credits begin that will also bring a smile to fans of the series.
It’s also impressive on a technical level, with the exotic South American backdrops standing out and adding one element of uniqueness to this tale. And while the final twist doesn’t come as a big shock, it is a very sweet resolution to the story and effectively reestablishes the theme of family being the greatest treasure of all.
When the first two Paddington films arrived, they ranked among my favorite pictures of the year. Paddington in Peru isn’t in that stratosphere, but it is an effective and enjoyable effort that will still satisfy and, at times, delight the entire family, even if it can’t quite match its predecessors.