“Paddington” is a Bright Spot, Expands True Meaning of Family
Film Review
Everyone’s favorite fuzzy, bucket hat-wearing, marmalade-loving bear is back with “Paddington in Peru.” Whether you’ve seen the first two films in this series or not, there is plenty of fun to be had in this wholesome and heartwarming romp. It’s an assuredly pleasant family film that expands upon the true meaning of family.
When we catch up with Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw), he’s enjoying his home in England with the Brown family. But his life is upended when he discovers that his beloved Aunt Lucy has gone missing back in his homeland of Peru. From there, Paddington and the Browns embark on a perilous adventure through the Amazon rainforest to find Aunt Lucy.
“Padding in Peru” is the kind of film where you’ll find yourself adoringly saying “Awww…” multiple times throughout. Your face might even get a bit sore from smiling so much, and that’s a good problem to have. The precious moments stack on top of one another like a tower of gooey marmalade sandwiches. Paddington is such a pure soul, and his enduring earnestness is once again on full display.
The story also doesn’t forget to pack a charming sense of humor for the journey. There’s a delectable spread of funny dialogue, along with an abundance of slapstick laughs as Paddington gets caught up in various shenanigans. And like the first two films in this series, the visuals are spunky and whimsical, from the paintings coming to life to the crafty miniature sequences reminiscent of Wes Anderson.
And while “Paddington in Peru” might not reach the magnificent heights of the masterpiece that is “Paddington 2,” it’s hard to complain about a film that is so sweet and delightful. Paddington is a bright spot in a world that isn’t always so bright. Like his beloved Aunt Lucy would say, “When skies are grey, hope is on the way.”
“Paddington in Peru” is available to rent or buy on all major streaming platforms, and available to stream with your Netflix subscription.
Zach Murphy is an avid enthusiast of cinema, theater and storytelling. He lives with his wonderful wife Kelly in St. Paul. You can read more reviews at his blog, Fade to Zach.
