10/12
Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who is currently living in a Home for Retired Bears. Join the Brown family on an exciting adventure where a mystery takes them on an unexpected journey. The director of the previous two films, Paul King, decided not to direct this installment. However, he did come up with the idea for a third film and was attached as an executive producer. On The Graham Norton Show: Billy Crystal/Emily Mortimer/Hugh Bonneville/Pharrell Williams/Michael Kiwanuka (2024). “Paddington in Peru (2024)” isn’t as good as Paddington 2 (2017), but it’s not as big a step down as some early reactions suggested. For the most part, it’s still a fun and charmingly polite experience that’s as enjoyable as it is energetic. While the more conventional adventure narrative is less original than the vignette approach of the first two films, it still works well enough in this context, allowing the beloved characters to continue their charm even if they end up in a classic sequel. They are taken out of their natural habitat to explore the character’s as-yet-unknown origins. There are plenty of funny moments here, and the film keeps you on your toes from the very first frame. It’s a really fun film, and sometimes that’s all it needs. Compared to its predecessors, it lacks a strong emotional core. While a few of its moments are moving, the work isn’t particularly moving and won’t get your tear ducts working. Plus, some of its character elements are pretty shallow and, as my brother pointed out, feel almost like a forced afterthought. The narrative is generally pretty conventional and follows a certain pattern almost to the end. It’s fairly predictable and feels relatively generic, almost as if it’s been slapped onto Paddington after its basic elements have already been hammered in. Despite a few issues, this feature still deserves more than enough attention. The charming cast is as strong as ever, with a couple of charming newcomers (Antonio Banderas and Olivia Coleman) happily chewing the scenery whenever required. The special effects are consistently good, bringing the titular bear to life in such a way that it’s strange to think he’s never in the same space as the other characters. When he’s not on the red carpet, of course, you feel like someone’s missing. The film is light and bouncy; it really does fly and is generally great fun. It’s full of cheesy, visual and dialogue gags, and slapstick action scenes that will knock you off your feet. It’s a really good time. Ultimately, it’s a thoroughly respectable addition to the series that’s well-executed and enjoyable throughout. It’s a shame that it follows Paddington 2 (2017), which has a case for the best – or at least most universally appealing – film of all time, because it really is a great family film. If you’re expecting (again) the greatest film of all time, or even the second greatest film of all time, you’ll definitely be disappointed. Still, it’s a solid film that captivates and entertains in almost every scene. It’s much better than many similar fare. If you’re not expecting a miracle, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
