Paddington in Peru review: a feel-good family movie that delivers everything you want

Paddington in Peru brings us good old-fashioned magic from our favorite marmalade-loving bear.

Paddington on a rock in Paddington in Peru
(Image: © STUDIOCANAL)

What to Watch Verdict

Paddington in Peru is a magical family movie but sometimes struggles to live up to its franchise predecessors.

Pros

  • +

    It's the perfect feel-good family movie for all ages

  • +

    Emily Mortimer takes on the role of Mrs Brown seamlessly

  • +

    The addition of Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas is perfection

Cons

  • -

    While Paddington on tour is enjoyable, the film misses London's magic

  • -

    There's less slap-stick humor than the previous two movies

  • -

    Takes a little while to find its paws

Paddington in Peru was always going to have big boots to fill. Let's face it, when a movie is part of such a huge franchise, a third outing is always going to face a tough crowd. How do you improve on the perfection of Paddington 2? Well, fear not, the first two Paddington movies have become firm family favorites everywhere, enjoyed by generations young and old, and you'll be pleased to know the third movie is no different.

But, with this movie being largely set in Peru (unsurprisingly!) it has a different feel from the first two movies - it's a bit like watching a spin-off of your favorite show. Despite starting and ending in London, the movie has barely begun before our marmalade-loving bear is jetting off to South America to see his beloved Aunt Lucy and soon we are thrown into a Paddington adventure like no other.

Of course, Paddington is a bear who attracts mishaps wherever he goes and, no matter where he is in the world, chaos will always follow. However, as soon as you take Paddington out of London, there is more danger than ever and this movie has it all - poisonous spiders, undercover nuns, a gold-loving boat captain, and a missing Aunt Lucy who Paddington and the Browns spend the entire movie trying to track down.

Emily Mortimer takes over the role of Mrs Brown seamlessly and while Sally Hawkins was great in the first two movies, Emily's Mrs Brown works so perfectly that within a few minutes, you forget the character was ever played by anyone else.

The addition of Olivia Colman (The Reverend Mother) and Antonio Banderas (as riverboat captain Hunter Cabot) is just genius. Both characters add something special to the movie and I could watch Olivia as the Sound Of Music singing Reverand Mother all day - particularly when she is in scenes with Julie Walters as Mrs Bird (who totally steals any scene she is in, by the way!). Antonio Banderas is also great casting, especially as he plays not one but several characters. Not only is he Hunter Cabot but Antonio also plays his character's many ancestors and is clearly having the time of his life as he dresses up for all sorts of hilarious scenes.

While the movie is largely based on the story of Paddington and the Browns trying to track down Aunt Lucy in the Amazon jungle, we also discover more about Paddington's past and where he came from before he was rescued by Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo.

Without spoiling the ending, Paddington in Peru isn't just a comedy caper (although Paddington riding a Lama to escape a runaway boulder is particularly funny) but it is also about Paddington's journey from the little orphan bear cub to who he is today.

This is the first time we see Paddington in his natural habitat... for once he isn't a fish out of water in London and it is the Browns who are struggling with their new leafy surroundings. Getting to know more about the bear we instantly fell in love with in Paddington is a real treat and makes the movie's setting in Peru really work.

All in all Paddington in Peru doesn't disappoint. It has a great cast and a storyline with perhaps more depth than its predecessors. There is also an ending that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, especially when we finally discover why our beloved Paddington likes marmalade so much. If you get to the credits and you haven't shed a tear then you deserve one of Paddington's famous hard stares!

Speaking of credits, I have one top tip - stay until the very end. If you get to the credits and think the film is severely lacking Hugh Grant as the deliciously devious Phoenix Buchanan, then you are in for a treat. His appearance is short, it's sweet, and it's well worth staying in your seat for an extra few minutes!

CATEGORIES
Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.