Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey.
Chuck says:
Just when the world has got me down, “Paddington in Peru” rides to the rescue. Like the previous two entries in the series, Dougal Wilson’s film is a collection of astounding visual sequences, driven by imaginative slapstick humor with cinema’s most charming bear at the center. However, it is the effortless way in which the movie reminds us of the power of kindness that makes it stand out amidst other “children’s” fare, Paddington living by the Golden Rule, his every action a courtesy. That these films can deliver this message without ever laying it on too thick is one of the secrets to their success. Of course, there’s the appealing lead ursine performer that’s a draw, as well.
Paddington (voice by Ben Whishaw) has become a fixture in the Brown family as well as the neighborhood they live in. His brand of effortless optimism is effusive and makes the lives of everyone who lives on their street better. However, Paddington becomes concerned when he gets a letter from the Reverand Mother (Olivia Colman) at the Old Bears’ Home in Peru. Seems his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) isn’t feeling well and is acting oddly. Concerned, Paddington, with the Browns in tow, sets out to see just what’s amiss, only to find out when they arrive, that Aunt Lucy has wandered off into the jungle.
Unsure what to do, they hire Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina (Carla Tous) to take them down the Amazon on their steamer, in the hopes of finding the missing bear. However, things go awry and soon Paddington, Henry (Hugh Bonneville), Mary (Emily Mortimer), Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) and Judy (Madeleine Harris) find themselves lost in the wilds.
There are surprises aplenty as Aunt Lucy’s disappearance is not what it seems, Reverand Mother proves to have a checkered past and Cabot is suffering from a peculiar brand of psychosis. Banderas is a hoot as he takes on multiple roles. Seems Cabot is haunted by his ancestors, among them a Spanish Conquistador, a missionary and a dashing aviatrix. The actor plays all of these roles, a glint in his eye, reveling in the opportunity to rend the scenery in the service of this fantastic tale. Equally fun, but underused, is Colman, the Oscar-winner delivering a wonderfully restrained comedic performance. It’s obvious from the start her character’s hiding something, the actress employing a disingenuous smile that becomes wider and more rictus as her secret is increasingly threatened.
While we live in a cinematic era in which computer-generated effects are commonplace, these films never cease to amaze. The expressions Paddington is capable of are the key to our connecting to him, as is Whishaw’s deft approach. Each contributes to the humanity of the character, our sympathy for him, immediate. That he is put through elaborate, slapstick comedy sequences Chaplin and his peers would be jealous of, only increases his appeal and our engagement.
Film-literate viewers will appreciate the allusions to “The Sound of Music,” “Fitzcarraldo,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and Buster Keaton’s most famous stunt, each effortlessly woven into the action. The jokes are plentiful and effective, while the film sport’s two timely messages. Having worked in the insurance industry for years, Mr. Brown finally conquers his fears and embraces the risk that comes with living life to its fullest, a message each member of the family comes to embrace.
And as with each film in the franchise, “Paddington in Peru,” espouses the virtues of kindness with aplomb. Though the movie states nothing new, its message concerning the power of love and the necessity of empathy needs to be heard now more than ever.
3 1/2 Stars
