Movie Review: Paddington in Peru

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

Another excellent film in this franchise. 

If this movie does not reach the heights of the last two films, this is only because the first two movies set such a high standard. This third entry is full of the charm that makes this franchise so special. This film's sense of optimism and its sweetness is contagious, and it is simply hard not to have a smile on your face while watching it. This film once again manages to feel very sentimental in a way that never feels overdone or forced. Again, the way this is achieved is through the title character. He just simply feels like a goodhearted and sweet person (or bear) that it is hard not to simply treasure spending time with him once again. With this film's story revolving around his relationships with his adopted human family (the Browns) and his Aunt Lucy, I found it hard not to feel a little tug on my heartstrings. This movie also benefits once again from a great cast. Once again Ben Whishaw's voice for the title character is just so warm, likable and inviting. The Brown family again is excellently cast, and each one is perfect for their role. Antonio Banderas is a lot of fun here. It is obvious, that like Hugh Grant in the last movie, the great actor is having so much fun in a role that not only allows him to ham it up a little but encourages it. Newcomer Carla Tous is also very charming as his daughter. Olivia Colman also has a lot of fun with a quite over the top role. 

This movie is filled with humor. Not all of it works and some of it falls flat. However, the comedic moments that work are laugh out loud funny (and just as much so for the adults as for the kids). 

I did feel like I wish this movie had a larger sense of adventure as its story takes our characters on a larger journey than the previous films. However, this is a very small flaw. 

This marks the feature film directorial debut for Dougal Wilson. Wilson's career up to this point has included commercials, music videos and short films. He adapts to feature film directing incredibly well. Paul King, the director of the last two films has both a story and a producer credit on this third entry. 

This is simply a delightful film.