Review: Paddington in Peru

Review by James, Katrina and Bethany Freed.

Synopsis:

This is the third instalment in the beloved Paddington series, featuring the lovable bear voiced by Ben Whishaw. 

Time has moved on and Judy and Jonathan, the Brown family children, are growing up and preparing to leave home. This leaves Mr. and (especially) Mrs. Brown facing the prospect of an empty nest. But when they receive word that Aunt Lucy is in need, a family trip to Peru is quickly arranged – only to find Aunt Lucy missing. And so, an adventure in the jungle begins...

Age Rating: Paddington in Peru has been rated PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) due to “mild threat”.

Our Highlights:

Olivia Colman shines as a singing Nun (in a role that gives a nod to The Sound of Music), who runs the Peruvian Home for Retired Bears and is absolutely not, in any way, suspicious. After the Browns realise they are the only ones who can find Aunt Lucy, they embark on a journey deep into the Amazon on a boat owned by the dashing Hunter (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina (Carla Tous). 

Predictably, bear-related mishaps lead to the group being split, and Paddington finds himself drawn into the hunt for the lost city of El Dorado, its storied Inca gold, and, of course, Aunt Lucy.

Julie Walters reprises her role as the capable Mrs. Bird and captivates in every scene she's in. A new addition to the core cast is Emily Mortimer as the new Mrs. Brown. Her character arc is central to the film, focusing on her struggle to accept her children’s impending independence and the emotional transition that follows.

But ultimately, the film centres on Paddington’s growth. His unique ability to see the good in everyone and to find family wherever he goes shines through, reminding viewers of the importance of kindness and empathy.

Our Verdict:

While Paddington in Peru may not be quite as laugh-out-loud funny as the previous films, it has its share of light-hearted moments and touching scenes. Some very young children might find the perilous moments a bit intense, but overall, it was a heartwarming journey. We gave it a solid 7.5/10.

UK Release date: ONLY IN CINEMAS FROM 8th November 2024