Paddington in Perù

We went into this film thinking it wouldn't be as good as the other two Paddington movies, especially since the reviews weren't as strong. However, my son and I ended up really enjoying it. The story was warm and heartfelt, with Paddington's charm still shining through. The film had plenty of funny moments, but also some touching scenes that caught me off guard. By the end, I even shed a tear. While it wasn't quite as perfect as the first two films, it was still a lovely watch. I'm really glad we gave it a chance. It's definitely worth seeing for anyone who loves Paddington and his adventures.

Paddington in Peru is an ok movie that could have been so much more due to its international setting but it the weakest of the three movies in my books.

Slow buildup in the first act does significant damage to the well crafted narrative of the movie. Funny antics of our titular Bear does save the grace but what takes the cake is the performance of Antonio Banderas who seems to have a ball with his character.

The third act is the saving grace as the lovable family finally catches up in the majestic mountains of Machu Picchu and the Inca civilization.

However, I feel the audience were expecting more of silly adventure in the Peruvian Jungle and the Amazon than it turned out to be.

Paddington in Peru is a delightful addition to the beloved Paddington franchise, offering a heartwarming adventure that's perfect for family viewing. The film follows the iconic bear as he embarks on a series of gentle escapades from London to the spectacular landscapes of Peru, where he reconnects with his roots. As with previous Paddington films, the tone is light, the humor is gentle, making it easy to watch for both kids and adults alike.

The story is simple yet engaging, designed to keep children entertained without overwhelming them. It's the kind of film that doesn't demand much from its viewers - ideal for a family movie night when you're just looking to relax and enjoy something wholesome.

The animation and cinematography continue to impress, with the lush landscapes of Peru offering a beautiful backdrop to Paddington's charming adventures. The characters, old and new, are endearing, and the bear's optimistic, polite nature continues to be a highlight.

While the film doesn't delve deeply into complex themes, it's a warm, simple watch that succeeds in its goal: to keep kids happy and entertained for an hour or so, with just enough charm and humor to win over adults as well. If you're looking for family entertainment that's easy to digest and reliably heartwarming, Paddington in Peru is a solid choice.

If, like me, you agree that the first two Paddington films are amongst the greatest films ever made this will be both an enjoyable essential but also a disappointment.

Because it's not about Paddington adapting to living with a family in London or how a normal family adapts to living with a bear, it loses its original charm and certainly its humour. This is just another jungle adventure movie...but with a bear. It has a different feel about it - more sentimental and noticeably not as funny. Whereas the first two were hilarious to a decrepit old Marx Brothers fan like me, this one is definitely more of a family film clearly aimed at children.

I could say we need more of the Brown family and of their neighbours.....I could also say we need Sally Hawkins but what's the point. We had all that in the first two and since they were...dare I say, perfect, there'd be no point trying to copy them.

So yes, this is different, it's horribly over-sentimental at times and nothing like as funny but it's still Paddington. Routine family fun rather than hilarious quirky cuteness.

I was quite disappointed by this movie. That's maybe a bit harsh because, taken on it's own merits, this is a quite adequate, perhaps even superior, family film. The trouble is that it really falls far short of the whimsy, the subtle humor, the cleverness of the previous two previous superlative Paddington movies.

It's hard to say why this is. I suspect it's because this is the first Paddington movie to take the story out of London and away from all those quirky British characters and backgrounds that enriched the previous movies and made them sparkle. Instead of finding adventure and excitement in the ordinary things that surround us, this movie puts Paddington and the Brown family into a already existing exotic adventure location. Jim Broadbent gets a few minutes of screen time and Hugh Grant makes a welcome appearance, but neither of them are given anything to do that could add a touch of magic, though I suspect they were included to do just that.

The actors do a good job. Antonio Banderas is great in his role. Olivia Colman is a great actress and adept at comedy, but she's pretty bland here. The young lady who plays Banderas' daughter also fails to sparkle, but that's more a fault with her dull character more than her acting.

There is one musical number towards the beginning that could have been left out and there is far too much maudlin sentimentality in the movie as a whole.

Family groups will enjoy this movie I have no doubt. If you're looking for the magic that made the first two Paddington movies so special, however, you will be disappointed.