Review: Paddington in Peru – The bear-able weight of massive talent

Directed by Dougal Wilson
Starring Ben Wishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas 

7/10

Paddington (Ben Wishaw) is alarmed when he receives a letter from the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) of the Home for Retired Bears in Peru. His Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) is acting very odd and is obsessed with finding something in the Amazon rainforest. With a brand new passport in hand and the Brown family in tow, Paddington soon finds himself setting off into the Amazon in search of his missing aunt. However, the captain of the boat he’s hired (Antonio Banderas) may have his own plans.

The second ‘Paddington’ film is often considered one of the best sequels ever made. Seriously. Seven years later, and we’ll still see articles examining why this film is so well regarded. So, is the third film in the franchise a step down? Unavoidably, yes, but not by much. Paddington in Peru has all the charm that’s become the hallmark of this series and more than enough wit to be entertaining.

Despite the changing director and writing team, they’ve managed to keep a continuity of tone across the franchise. It’s still a lightweight, child-friendly adventure that’s proud of its essential Britishness while being open and accepting to all. It’s gentle and polite (unless a “hard stare” is called for), with just the right amount of slapstick not to be grating and a soft examination of issues without being preachy.

Obviously, it continues its examination of the migrant experience (stretching to questions of dual culture) and the “found family” narrative. This time it also touches on colonialism and exploitation, although it is somewhat telling that this is historically represented by a Spanish character rather than a British one. All of this is done in the most child-friendly manner possible.

That continuity of tone is also aided by the returning cast. Whishaw, Bonneville, Walters, and Staunton all return, along with a wealth of UK comedic talent for the bit parts. Although there is a Sally Hawkins-shaped hole in the cast, it should be stated that Emily Mortimer does a solid job as a replacement.

However, ‘Paddington’ has become known for its big-name guest stars, and in this case we have Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas. Both are playing it large for the younger audience, but whereas Banderas’ haunted captain cursed by ancestral gold lust is funny, Colman’s dodgy nun is riotous. Her performance is somehow simultaneously ridiculous and sublime, lampooning the wholesomeness of The Sound of Music and sending the cinema into howls of laughter with a vacant smile.

A solid addition to the franchise, Paddington in Peru has all the mirth, manners, and marmalade we’ve come to expect from the little brown bear.

DAVID O’CONNELL