38/22
Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Bear Retirement Home. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure unfolds as a mystery takes them on an unexpected journey. Paul King, the director of the previous two films, decided not to direct this installment. However, he pitched the idea for this third film and was involved as an executive producer. Starring on The Graham Norton Show: Billy Crystal/Emily Mortimer/Hugh Bonneville/Pharrell Williams/Michael Kiwanuka (2024). “Paddington in Peru (2024)” It’s not as good as ‘Paddington 2 (2017)’, but it’s not as big a step back as some of the initial reactions led me to believe. For the most part, it’s still a fun and pleasantly polite experience that’s as enjoyable as it is fast-paced. While the more standard adventure story is less eccentric than the vignette approach of the first two films, it still works well enough in this context, allowing its lovable characters to continue to charm even as they are thrust into classic sequels from their natural habitats to explore the still-unknown origins of the main character. There are plenty of funny moments, and the film is funny from the very first frame. It’s a really good film, and sometimes that’s all you need. What it lacks compared to its predecessors is a strong emotional core. While a handful of its moments are moving, the acting isn’t particularly moving and won’t get your tear ducts working. Additionally, some of the character work is pretty shallow, and as my brother pointed out, it almost feels like a mandatory afterthought to me. The storytelling is generally pretty conventional, following a specific formula almost to the letter. It’s fairly predictable and feels relatively generic, almost like it was an afterthought for Paddington after its basic rhythms had already been laid out. Despite its few problems, there’s still more than enough going for it. Its lovable cast is as strong as ever, with some charming newcomers (Antonio Banderas and Olivia Coleman) happily chewing up scenery whenever needed. The special effects are consistently good, bringing the eponymous bear to life in such a way that it’s strange to think he’s never actually in the same space as the other characters. When he doesn’t make a natural appearance on the red carpet, he feels like someone is missing. The film is light and bouncy; it really flies, and it’s generally a lot of fun. It’s packed with jokes, both visual and dialogue-based, and grotesque action scenes that will knock you off your feet. It’s a very good moment. Ultimately, this is a perfectly decent addition to its series, well-crafted and enjoyable from start to finish. It’s a shame that it’s followed by “Paddington 2 (2017), because there’s an argument to be made that it’s the best – or at least the most universally appealing – film of all time, because this is a truly great family film. If you’re expecting the best film of all time (again) or even the second best film of all time, you’ll obviously be disappointed, but this is a solid effort that’s charming and funny in practically every scene, far better than many similar films. Don’t expect miracles, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
