Paddington in Peru – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Paddington in Peru – Golden Hearts of a Bear’s Home …

Films are a way for many to live through other means.  In this train of thought, you walk through a doorway where a pondering hope of the unknown becomes an inevitable escape.  No matter what story is being told, there is a sense of hopeful bliss that when you escape, the visual prowess is worth the ride.  In this review, I look at the latest entry in a popular IP.  In his latest adventure, our friendly lovable bear embarks on a journey that is familiar but wholesome to the core.  Even in its simplicity, Paddington in Peru is a magical tale of family, love and home.

When Paddington receives unfathomed news from back home, it leads to a big adventure where truths are revealed in the jungles of Peru.  With any film, there is a hope that the journey is worth the squeeze.  With this latest chapter, it is fruitful upon entry … but becomes something more along the way.  Firstly, please visit the film’s IMdb page for a list of actors/actresses (link).  In the beginning, we come into this world through the drop-in method, finding out that Paddington has settled comfortably with his new life with the Brown family (in England).  After a series of general introductions, we learn that Paddington receives (plot device) an unexpected letter.  After careful deliberation with the Browns, they decide to travel to Peru to find out what has happened to Paddington’s Aunt Lucy.  This leads through a series of comedic like scenes that build towards the catalyst for our adventure: the quest to find Aunt Lucy.  As the film builds in this adventure motif, it becomes a mixture of hopeful situations, familial themes and convenient circumstances.  Witnessing the antics that happen between Paddington and the others feels relatively delightful but also falls into the trap of heavy foreshadowing.  Even with the innocence at play with cheesy dialogue and physical/childish gags, the simple storytelling puts a wholesomeness in the endearing quest at hand.  It is in our titular character that we feel that struggle between the present and past, trying to reconnect while maintaining purpose with the Browns.  This conflict drives the emotional fervor in the journey’s clichés, alluding to a methodical build up of an eventual heartfelt situation. 

With Paddington (and family) left to their own vices (in the Amazon), it becomes a matter of thematic appeal along the predictable aspect of an adventure.   As the ‘point A to B’ mantra is at the forefront, it is the personal approach of our characters that brings the whimsy to their travels.  These moments help reveal certain truths, leading Paddington towards a crossroads of questions and uncertainty.  As things come to an ultimate place of choice, we head into a third act where that methodical heartfelt moment starts to come alive.  This leads to a full circle climax and epilogue.  Paddington in Peru is another great chapter in this famous childhood tale.  If you are fan of adventure of family films, this is one for you.  You will definitely have a smile if you see this on the big screen.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)