“Paddington in Peru” deserves pawsitive reviews
From singing nuns to retired brown bears, “Paddington in Peru” is bear-y entertaining. This threequel is a great addition to the “Paddington” franchise, adding depth to the origin story of Marmalade connoisseur, Paddington. With Paul King directing the first two movies, Dougal Wilson had a lot to live up to and he did not disappoint. While this did not surpass the first two “Paddington” movies in charm and cinematic quality, it was still a very enjoyable journey to follow the Brown family on.
Following the disappearance of Paddington’s Aunt Lucy – who we first met in “Paddington 2-” the Brown family takes a trip to Peru determined to reunite her with her estranged nephew. As they embark on their journey, they unexpectedly find themselves entangled in a treasure hunt deep within the Peruvian Amazon. This journey draws parallels to many other treasure-seeking television shows and films, such as “Outer Banks” and the “Indiana Jones” movies, while still holding true to the light-hearted comfort of the “Paddington” movie franchise.
While the British Bear will rightfully remain a fan favorite, Olivia Colman, the singing and suspicious nun, truly stole the show. Colman played the role of what at first glance seemed an unimportant side character, but her role quickly escalated to play a vital role in the Brown’s journey. Her creepy still smile was hard not to watch and made her wit even more funny. Colman, alongside Antonio Banderas, brought the story to life. Banderas portrayed the greedy seaman treasure hunter who supplied the transportation for the Brown family’s adventure. Both of these esteemed actors delivered performances that were nothing short of exceptional, fully embodying their characters with depth, humor and undeniable skill.
The imagination of the writers went above and beyond, crafting a narrative filled with unexpected twists and thought-provoking, yet humorous themes. It is always fun when no one bats an eye at a bear with a passport or a sea captain who talks to ghosts. A bear able to walk the streets of London and Peru without getting any looks, will never cease to amaze me.
If you think you have the predictable treasure hunt-plot line figured out, you do not. The twists and turns were emotional and delightful at the same time. While the “Paddington” franchise is typically made for a younger demographic, this movie can most definitely be enjoyed by those of all ages.
