“Paddington 2” is no longer just “one of the best family films of the year,” as we raved about in the FILMSTARTS review of its 2017 theatrical release. The enchanting, feel-good adventure has now become a real pop culture phenomenon, is considered a prime example of the perfect family film and is even revered as a masterpiece by many adult cinema fans (including Nicolas Cage in “Massive Talent”). Paul King probably also thought that this could hardly be topped. The director of the first two “Paddington” films withdrew to the role of co-story developer and producer for the third part and moved out to direct a new cinema success with “Wonka” instead. Dougal Wilson, who had previously worked as an advertising clip and music video director, was faced with a truly mammoth task when making his feature film debut.
As expected, “Paddington in Peru“Compared to its direct predecessor, it comes up short in almost every respect. But does that also mean that the third part is automatically a disappointment? And is it even fair (or sensible) to compare “Paddington in Peru” with such an exceptional film as “Paddington 2”? Of course not! “Paddington in Peru” certainly lacks a villain as great as Hugh Grant as Phoenix Buchanan – and the directorial brilliance is also less pronounced. And yet this part is still great fun: a fast-paced, plush, often heartwarming feel-good screen adventure…

Despite terrace farms and alpacas, Paddington doesn't go without his duffle coat in Peru.
Paddington (voice in the original: Ben Whishaw / in the German version: Elyas M'Barek) receives surprising news from Peru: the head nun of the home for retired bears (Olivia Colman) tells him confidentially that his aunt Lucy (voice: Imelda Staunton) no longer exudes such a good mood as he once did, but is just miserable all day long. Since the popular London bear has just received his English passport and his family, the Browns, urgently needs time together, they spontaneously decide to travel to South America to cheer Lucy up.
But there is a surprise: Lucy has disappeared into the jungle! A map in the more than 100-year-old bear's room suggests that she was trying to find a place called Rumi Rock before her apparently very hasty escape. In their need, Paddington and the Browns hire Captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) to take them to the mysterious stone formation, which has all sorts of legends surrounding it. They realize too late that their boat captain is obsessed with the idea of finding the legendary treasure of Eldorado. Meanwhile, it dawns on Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters), the Browns' housekeeper who stayed behind in the home, that not everything is going well there either – and that the Mother Superior also has a few secrets…
Even two superstars don't make Hugh Grant
“Paddington in Peru” tries to compensate for Hugh Grant's brilliant, exalted performance with two new stars: But in the end, even two such acting heavyweights as Oscar winner Olivia Colman (“The Favorite”) and the Spanish screen legend can beat him Antonia Banderas (“Suffering and Glory”) doesn’t even hold a candle together. However, this is not primarily due to the duo's ability. Rather, the two villains lack a bit of a sinister aura because it becomes clear early on that they don't really want to get to the fur of the well-loved bear.
But Banderas' portrayal as a father infected by his ancestors' gold rush is still fun. The “Indiana Jones 5” star can really go over the top, especially in the dialogues with his various dead ancestors, all of whom are also embodied by Banderas himself. It's such over-the-top moments that fit so wonderfully into this series. After all, the “Paddington” films always have the most absurd inserts. In “Paddington in Peru” Olivia Colman also gets such a moment with a musical scene based on the classic “The Sound Of Music”, which only briefly seems like a foreign body, but then fits in quite harmoniously with the bearish madness.

No matter how cheerfully the head nun sings, the mother superior (Olivia Coleman) still cannot be trusted!
Here and there there could have been more directing esprit. For the most part, “Paddington in Peru” is just a nice but not brilliant adventure film that looks good, but not damn good. A plus point here is that some of the filming was actually done at historical sites in Peru and in the neighboring country of Colombia. The animated bears integrate seamlessly into the impressive surroundings – and the colorful, new location offers a refreshing change from the often grey, rainy London.
However, the reversal of the usual roles – Paddington in his natural environment and the Browns in an alien world – is only used for a few predictable gags. In general, the family remains somewhat underemployed. Only Emily Mortimer, who this time embodies Mother Mary as Sally Hawkins' successor, has a more emotional narrative thread. She has to learn that it might not be the end of the world when daughter Judy (Madeleine Harris) soon goes to college away from home. “Downton Abbey” star Hugh Bonneville also has some funny moments. But it seems a bit forced that security fanatic Henry Brown, egged on by his new American boss (“Captain America” star Hayley Atwell in a superfluous mini-role), suddenly learns to love risk.
Everything and more you want to see from Paddington
While it sometimes seems a bit clumsy how the supporting characters retain their relevance to the plot, those responsible once again manage to tell a wonderful story about the eponymous bear. Jon Foster and James Lamont, who were already responsible for the children's series “Paddington's Adventures”, as well as Mark Burton, who was Oscar-nominated for “Shaun the Sheep”, are doing everything they can as successors to Paul King and Simon Farnaby, who are only responsible for the development of the story makes the series so popular. There are the obligatory slapstick interludes and, above all, numerous scenes that tug at your heartstrings. Even the origin story of Paddington is skillfully told. We never asked ourselves where his love for orange jam came from and how he came across Aunt Lucy. But after the resolution in “Paddington in Peru,” we’re still happy to know it.
At the same time, the trio showed some consideration for those smaller viewers for whom the predecessors might have been a bit too threatening. While Nicole Kidman wanted to kill the bear in the franchise opener and played “Paddington 2” at times in a prison full of (at least tough-looking) criminals, not only are the villains just barely evil this time. Apart from an involuntary white water ride at the beginning, the film hardly contains any longer, really threatening or even frightening scenes. Instead, smaller moments of shock are usually resolved immediately with a joke.
Conclusion: “Paddington in Peru” is the weakest part of the series and will certainly never achieve the outstanding cult status of “Paddington 2”. But it is another fun and worthwhile family adventure for all (and this time especially the smaller) fans of the bear with the dark blue duffle coat and the red hat.
PS: Be sure to stay seated! There are two very special end credits scenes!