It’s hard to deny that since the release of the first two Paddington films in 2014 and 2017 respectively, Paddington is more at the forefront of British culture than ever before. Through his regular presence on Twitter memes, the much-loved sketch featuring him with the late Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum jubilee in 2022, or even through the almost weekly repeats of the first two films on BBC One, excitement for this third instalment in the franchise was naturally high. But, does Paddington in Peru live up to its predecessors?
In short, no. Paddington in Peru is an enjoyable film, but it pales in comparison to the previous two films. Of course, this is probably to be expected; after all, Paddington 2 is objectively one of the best movies of all time, holding a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. There’s also a director change to consider, with former director Paul King only being involved in a peripheral role this time around as a result of his involvement with Wonka, so Dougal Wilson makes his feature film debut here.
The first half of the film is somewhat disappointing, with one simple criticism: not enough Paddington. There is too much focus on exposition and the backstory of the new characters, such as Antonio Banderas’ Hunter Cabot, one of the antagonists of the film. During these parts of the film, Paddington is sidelined for minor comic relief but is by no means the main focus, with the rest of the Brown family sharing a similar fate. There’s also a baffling musical number from the Reverend Mother, played by Olivia Colman, which serves as a perfect microcosm for my problem with this part of the film, as this takes precedence over scenes of Paddington and the Browns flying to Peru.
The second half of the film, however, is very much restored to the classic Paddington formula which worked so well in the first two films, and it works well again here, with a unique final act that involves all of the main characters, from both the Brown family and the new characters. It’s slightly darker than previously, but that is by no means a bad thing, and there are some genuine heart-in-mouth moments that involve various smart repeated motifs from the beginning of the film.
The end of this film is as heartwarming as the last two. Without spoiling, the future of the franchise isn’t cemented until the last 5 minutes, and I guarantee you will be cheering (silently, of course, if you’re in the cinema), at the final scenes in Peru. There’s a pretty thought provoking allegory that’s based around immigration in Paddington’s final monologue, made all the more significant given the current dialogue around immigration in the United Kingdom, whilst there’s enough set-up here for a fourth film, which is scheduled for the 70th anniversary of the franchise in 2028.
So overall, I’d wholeheartedly recommend Paddington in Peru. Even if it pales in comparison to the rest of the franchise, it’s one of the best family films in recent years. You’re guaranteed a fun 90 minutes with any Paddington film, and hopefully, it’s a big success in the run-up to the festive period.
