Paddington in Peru
Paddington in Peru
Stars: Ben Winshaw (the voice of Paddington), Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Imelda Staunton (the voice of Aunt Lucy), Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin
Director: Dougal Wilson
Scriptwriters: Mark Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont, with story by Paul King, Simon Farnaby and Mart Burton, based on “Paddington Bear” by Michael Bond
Composer: Dario Marianelli
Cinematography: Erik Wilson
Studio Canal/Sony Pictures
Rating: PG
Running Length: 106 Minutes
Paddington Bear is a world-wide known little brown bear who loves orange marmalade and wears a blue coat and red hat. His story is famous and “Paddington in Peru” is the third film to be made about the little bear’s adventures. If there is an open manhole or an overflowing bathtub, someone will fall into it. This is the first full-length film for director Dougal Wilson and he does well. It is the type of humor consistent with the bear’s adventures and the audience’s delight. In this sometime-animated film, Paddington has the opportunity to travel abroad, Peru to be exact, and his human family, the Browns, go, too.
This story has Paddington getting a letter from the Home for Retired Bears in Peru, (headed by the Reverend Mother Olivia Colman). His Aunt Lucy now lives there and is not her usual self. Well, that’s all Paddington needs is an invitation to visit and before you know, his entire human family, is on their way to visit, also. The adventure begins. After arrival, it seems Aunt Lucy is lost, perhaps in the jungle, though in her room they find a map. Mr. Brown expresses his fear of giant spiders. In the meantime, there are treasure hunters afoot, so the group hires a boat captain, Hunter (Antonio Banderas) and Gina (Carla Tous.) Paddington and Mary Brown (Emily Mortimer) start their search. Everyone is looking for El Dorado, the place of gold. (Hundreds of years ago, Conquistadors were searching for El Dorado in what is now the state of Kansas.) As the trek begins, people get lost, so watch out for the villain. Suspicions fall on various people, a bracelet goes missing-is found-then missing again, and there is a big secret, all in 106 minutes.
Clever twists in the story and a sly bit of humor especially in names and facial expressions. The movie was filmed in Columbia and Peru, plus England. Dialogue is humorous and witty, especially when with facial expressions. The cast seemed to be having fun filming “Paddington in Peru” and there are name stars such as Hugh Bonneville, Imelda Staunton, Emily Mortimer, Jim Broadbent, Ben Miller, Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas. He shines as the boat captain with five different personages from a family curse. You will recognize faces from various British television series, including “Downton Abbey.”
Watching a “Paddington” film is sitting back, relaxing in a comfortable movie seat, and slowly munching popcorn as you start to have a desire for orange marmalade on your next peanut butter sandwich. You are in a comfort zone and it is only you and the bear with a generous smile. Enjoy.
Four Tocks
Copyright 2025 Marie Asner
