What is Paddington in Peru About?
The furry bear with a London accent dons his red hat and blue coat to come back for his third adventure. This time Paddington returns to his origins as he travels back to Peru with the Brown family to reunite with fellow bear, Aunt Lucy. But when Paddington and the Browns visit the Home for Retired Bears, Aunt Lucy is missing. Hints lead them to believe she has been kidnapped in the jungle of Peru.
The third instalment sees Paddington on yet another misadventure. But this time he finds himself lost within the Amazon rainforest and climbing the Peruvian mountains. Along the way Paddington befalls upon locals with their own agendas for finding the lost treasures of ‘El Dorado’. The gold is supposedly hidden somewhere within the Peru mountain tops.
However, Aunt Lucy may just be the ‘missing’ link to finding the gold. But in order to find the ‘lost treasure of El Dorado’ avid adventurer Hunter Cabot, played by Antonio Banderas must stay close to Paddington.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bird, played by Julie Walters must stay at the Home for Retired Bears. Whilst she leaves the rest of the Brown family to attend to their adventure. But she discovers that there’s something weird about the place that she can’t quite place her finger on. It doesn’t help matters that head of the retirement home, The Reverend Mother, played by Olivia Coleman is acting suspicious about Aunt Lucy’s disappearance. This makes it seem like there is much more to the story we have yet to figure out.
Thoughts
Paddington in Peru’s opening scene captures both the heart of London and Paddington’s loveable personality. In recent news, Paddington has been trying to gain a British passport and let’s just say it definitely plays an important role throughout this film. When Paddington and the Brown family travel to Peru they become lost in the middle of the jungle. As Paddington may have got himself in a little trouble and peril in Peru.
Marmalade puns add a little filling during the light-hearted moments. As Paddington always makes sure he has marmalade sandwiches underneath his hat in case of emergency hunger. But at his highest peril, Paddington not only finds himself in the midst of trouble but somehow always discovers a way to get his adopted family, the Brown’s involved in his mischief too.
Somewhere along their adventure they become separated. But as it’s a family-friendly adventure film there’s something in the story that always helps to find a way to reunite the family. Unwittingly, the Browns do their best to follow in Paddington’s footsteps (or pawprints) to try and rescue him. Particularly, when their initial plans to search for Aunt Lucy becomes derailed by Hunter Cabot. And his greedy obsession with finding age-old treasure. To make matters worse it all happens in the middle of the Peruvian jungle in scorching temperatures.
Perfectly Paddington
Paddington in Peru has the perfect balance between an adventure story, origin story and a family bonding film. The Browns go to great lengths to display their love for Paddington. It’s clear he’s just as much as part of their family as he is from his bear family.
Just like the previous two films, there are setbacks and twists along the way. The biggest twist leads into the third act and it’s both fun and chaotic. There’s a few new characters that are not who they seem on first impressions. As usual they don’t have Paddington’s best interest in their sights. And there may be more than one antagonist after both Paddington and the treasure.
The Stars
Screenwriting partners, Jon Foster and James Lamont worked on Paddington in Peru for over three years and are very protective over Paddington. On set, the production team abided by Paddington’s signature label, ‘Please look after this Bear’ when handling the Bear during filming.
This third instalment sees plenty of famous faces. Paddington is voiced by James Bond actor, Ben Whishaw and Hugh Bonneville returns as Henry Brown. While Mrs. Brown is replaced by Emily Mortimer having previously been played by The Shape of Water star, Sally Hawkins for the first two Paddington films.
British onscreen royalty, Imelda Staunton voices Aunt Lucy. While Julie Walters returns as Mrs. Bird and Olivia Coleman plays The Reverend Mother, head of the Retired Home for Bears. Also, on board for the adventure is The Mask of Zorro and Puss in Boots star, Antonio Banderas playing the main mean guy, Hunter Cabot. He is determined to discover the gold of ‘El Dorado’ regardless of anyone else’s safety.
There’s also a cameo from Hugh Grant’s character, Phoenix Buchanen in the jail cell – picking up where he left off from Paddington 2. This makes it seem as if there may be another Paddington film in the works. And it may or may not involve Phoenix Buchanen perhaps escaping jail. Of course, he will be in pursuit of the loveable fluffy bear.
Read more reviews like Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Documentary here.
Discover more from Filmotomy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
