Hal Kitchen
It’s odd to think that some of the films coming out today will be looked back on as children’s classics, becoming as beloved to this generation as Shrek, Toy Story, E.T., or Mary Poppins were to theirs. I don’t think any other film of the last ten years is as secure in that legacy as Paddington 2 is, certainly at home in the UK. Once the animated star has had tea with the sovereign, it’s safe to say their status as a national treasure is assured. The first two Paddington movies before the new Paddington in Peru are as beloved as movies get, something that was anticipated to be nothing more than another quick low-brow cash-in on name recognition materialized as a genuinely funny, heart-warming and sincere adventures for the whole family to enjoy. With their avowedly pro-immigration themes and message of compassion, sincerity and honest-dealing—not to mention some hysterical performances from the all-star cast—Paddington and Paddington 2 are some of the most sure-fire, all-ages crowd-pleasers of the modern era. Surely, the third film will complete the trilogy in appropriately sterling fashion, no?
Expectations of the third film were promptly lowered by a number of factors. Firstly, the title sets Paddington in Peru up to look more like a spin-off than a fully-fledged sequel. I hate it when series can’t stick to a naming convention, How to Train Your Dragon did it as well with How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Just stick to the numbers why don’t you?!
Sadly it’s not just the title that made Paddington in Peru look like it would be lesser than its predecessors as that impression was compounded by the departure of director Paul King and star Sally Hawkins. King’s light, imaginative hand and absurdist sense of comic timing (well honed by his years directing cult hit sitcom The Mighty Boosh) and Hawkins’ effervescent natural sincerity were two of the biggest elements to the success of the first two films, but the two parted ways with the series to go make Wonka with Timothee Chalamet. Their replacements, Emily Mortimer and Dougal Wilson do their best to replicate their predecessors, but Mortimer lacks Hawkins’ energy and Wilson, though and experienced director of commercials and shorts, has never helmed a feature before, let alone an adventure comedy of this scale, and it does sadly show. The sense of spatial geography and comic timing that made the series’ set pieces pop is just not here. Action sequences feel comparatively messy and unfocused, without the inspired slapstick or eager sense of spirit.
So, those are two areas where Paddington in Peru is a significant downgrade. However otherwise, it’s more or less more of what we’ve come to love and expect. Paddington (voiced by the always irrepressible Ben Whishaw) is still living with the Brown family and after receiving an invitation from his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), the family fly south to visit her at her new home for retired bears in Peru, run by the genial Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman). However, upon arrival they find that Aunt Lucy has mysteriously absconded into the jungle, and so they recruit roguish river captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) to lead a rescue mission to find her. From here, I rather think the film repeats too many story concepts from the previous film. You can tell they’re trying to recapture the magic of Hugh Grant’s preening treasure hunter, and. although the new cast members are clearly enjoying themselves greatly, Grant’s inspired characterization isn’t something you should try to recreate even if you could. The writing just doesn’t have the same freshness and spontaneity and feels played out.
There are still some funny sequences though, and the cast that do return are all on the same great form. Ben Whishaw made this character so beloved for a reason and Hugh Bonneville manages to hold onto some of the comedic highlights as his character tries to prove himself as the risk-taking man of action that his new boss (Hayley Atwell) is looking for. Writer Simon Farnaby makes another scene stealing cameo and the always excellent Hugh Grant does pop up for a brief guest spot as well.
Although nothing is better than the previous two films and some things are definitely not as good, the same core ideals are still in play, we still get to see our favorite bear struggle with misfortune, pratfall through a series of slapstick set pieces and reaffirm the value of found family over greed and self-interest. The story doesn’t pack the emotional or comedic punch of previous entries. With the first two being such love letters to the diversity and community of their London setting, decamping the Brown family to the Peruvian jungle does divest the franchise from one of its most endearing and defining elements. Nonetheless, the central characters and sense of humor mostly still survive. It’s not as good as the other two and its pretty clear where it falls short, but it still provides the opportunity to catch up with the Brown family and their shaggy adoptee and that still makes it a cut above most family features around.
