It’s been a long time coming, but the long-awaited third installment of Paddington, Paddington in Peru, has finally materialized, but it plays it far too safe to take risks. Here, under the direction of Dougal Wilson, is our favorite bear back where it all began in Peru, but this film disappointingly fails to capture even the remote magic and inventive storytelling seen in its predecessors.
For Paddington, the marmalade-loving bear, this is a new adventure, as he seeks out his Aunt Lucy in a retirement home for bears located somewhere in Peru. The film opens with a nostalgic prologue about how Paddington was taken away from his Peruvian family as a young bear. This backstory sets the stage for his current quest, which is spurred by a troubling letter from Aunt Lucy, who is feeling down and reluctant to leave her room. The Brown family, eager for a family adventure before their children leave home, decides to accompany Paddington on this trip.
Suggested read: Forrest Gump Reunion Movie Review – 67th Academy Awards Winner
A Quest for El Dorado
The plot quickly escalates into a treasure hunt for the mythical city of El Dorado, which seems a bit contrived and formulaic. The movie offers a whole lot of action and slight peril—jungle creatures and river rapids—but the story lacks the originality and depth that made films interesting to watch. The entrance of a treasure quest appears less like a meaningful exploration of Paddington’s character or heritage than a convenient plot device.
Visually, Paddington in Peru is bright and colorful, showing the luxuriant Amazon rainforest with impressive special effects. Humor is not as sharp this time. Though Olivia Colman as a quirky nun keeping an eye on the bear retirement home is a highlight, the comedy doesn’t quite work to rescue the entire end product. The slapstick outings end mostly in damp squibs due to repetition, not innovation.
Themes of Identity and Belonging
Paddington in Peru attempts to work through themes of immigrant identity and family values, but these are things that really resonate with the audience without feeling very different from previous installments. The emotional weight of what defined Paddington and Paddington 2 feels a little lighter here, making the overall narrative a bit less impactful.
A Sweet But Familiar Adventure
Paddington in Peru ends as a nice family-film watch but does fail to recapture the magic that one gets from the films in their earlier editions. However, some lovely and spectacular visuals and scenes here provide for fun-filled entertainment, while the very same ordinary plot and weak comedies make it difficult to appeal to fans of old by missing out on that spirit that had made Paddington a national treasure.
Also read : New York’s Attorney General James Reminds New Yorkers Of Election Protection Hotline Ahead Of Election Day
As we accompany Paddington on this journey to his roots, we find ourselves remembering that although Paddington left Peru a long time ago, what made him special somehow doesn’t feel quite right in the translation this time around.
