As a child of the ’90s, I must say it was a delightful trip down memory lane to see Antonio Banderas back on the big screen in Paddington in Peru. It has been quite some time since we’ve seen him outside his furry feline form, and it’s refreshing to witness his comedic prowess once more, even if he isn’t fighting an evil sorceress or saving the world from a 3D invasion.
Ten years after its initial release, Paddington remains as youthful as ever – the same can be said for his timeless appeal. By transporting the proven recipe to South American shores, “Paddington in Peru” continues to serve up a delightful dose of fluffy allure.
For parents, the Paddington series might be a movie franchise you’d happily spend time watching with your kids. Even if you’re close to 60 and your children are in their thirties, you might still find yourself suggesting a family trip to catch it (yes, I’ll take you, Mum). This is because Paddington has a rich history behind him, and director Paul King has masterfully adapted an appealing screen format.
In a subtle yet delightful manner, these films embody an enchanting, slightly whimsical portrayal of British culture that makes viewers feel as if they’re living their idealized British dream – and this continues even in Paddington’s Peruvian adventures. Although it may not be quite as spellbinding as Paddington 2, or flawless for that matter, the captivating eloquence of this adorable bear is hard to resist.
For this round, there’s an engaging underlying theme. Olivia Colman playing a wicked singing nun might momentarily captivate you, but it can only hide the shift in focus towards Paddington Bear’s insightful portrayal of British politics. In a global context where immigration is a hot topic, this lovable bear subtly charms us into believing life is less complex than it truly is… and maybe we require that simplicity.
What is Paddington 3 about?
In the third movie, we find Paddington (Ben Whishaw) continuing to enjoy his life in London, but a concerning letter arrives from his homeland. It seems that Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who resides at a retirement home for bears near the Amazon, has been showing signs of distress. The Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) then requests Paddington to pay her a visit after noticing such behavior.
The Brown family consents and embarks on an unforgettable journey around the globe. However, upon arrival, they discover that Aunt Lucy is nowhere to be found. Consequently, the movie unfolds as a thrilling race-against-time pursuit to locate Aunt Lucy deep within the jungle. During their adventure, they encounter an enigmatic boat captain named Hunter Cabot, played by Antonio Banderas.
Old-school British whimsy still wins
Speaking frankly, Paddington Bear embodies quintessential British elegance. For those who haven’t resided in the UK or have yet to explore its streets, the image of ‘Tea and Toast’ might be what you envision upon arriving at Heathrow for the first time. Here, there are no disrespectful cyclists spitting on the streets or overly expensive lattes; instead, this idyllic depiction is maintained flawlessly by King.
The irresistible blend of his endearing personality and environmental appeal makes us happily go along with any antics our beloved brown bear, Paddington, gets up to – whether it’s inadvertently capsizing a boat or breaking items that aren’t his. In Peru, we find Paddington at his most self-assured, yet paradoxically the furthest he’s ever been from his original identity and heritage.
Highlight a multitude of heartfelt and vital messages emphasizing the significance of home and family, while subtly suggesting their adaptable nature. I hope this resonates with real-life immigrants in some way, but my skeptical side doubts if the overpowering British quaintness will allow Paddington 3 to truly achieve that goal.
Instead of delving into deep socio-political discussions, isn’t our goal here more about adorable bears and families with a touch of humor that warms the heart? Absolutely! That’s precisely what we have in abundance – the grown-up Brown family navigating their lives together as four adults. The creator’s aim to evoke a sense of older parents and children connecting over this series has been successfully achieved.
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but be utterly smitten by the undeniable charm of Paddington Bear. Despite noticing some plot inconsistencies or an ending that veers towards daytime drama, I find myself completely captivated and walking away with a heart full of love for it. Watching Paddington in Peru is like taking a warm dose of Calpol before bed, it’s that soothing for the soul.
Although I’d prefer more Julie Walters, Emily Mortimer fits perfectly as Mrs. Brown, making it seem like Sally Hawkins was never replaced. Bonneville remains consistently excellent, and our adult children provide strong backing. Olivia Colman is ideally suited for her role – a flamboyant, slightly questionable nun with exceptional comic delivery. It’s only natural that she would join this series eventually.
For my fellow ’90s babies, it’s a particularly heartwarming moment to see Antonio Banderas back on screen in a family-friendly movie… in human form. He’s been smashing Puss in Boots for yonks now, but it’s not really been since Spy Kids 3-D that we’ve seen him as himself in a movie geared toward kids. There’s no microwave that magically turns cardboard into McDonald’s here, but he slips back into a familiarity that heightens comedic value.
For adults, there’s interesting subtext
Disregarding the children and our elderly relatives for now, let’s focus on something else intriguing regarding Paddington in Peru. Before we even learned about the movie’s setting, a curiosity arose – wonderfully, how did Paddington acquire a passport?
The third part subtly reshapes the public perspective on immigration through a generous dose of enchanted Disney-style storytelling. In an extraordinary turn of events, Paddington’s passport arrives without any complications despite featuring an unsuitable photo, and miraculously allows him to travel to Peru in just 30 minutes. This incredible feat is only possible for our beloved bear character, and the intricate details of how it happens are not overly scrutinized.
Indeed, dear reader, I acknowledge and perceive this situation. For the sake of clarity, let’s call it ‘Bear-washing’. In reality, such a scenario might cause turmoil, but here, we find it endearing, free from any societal prejudices or historical connotations. This perspective could be interpreted in two ways: A) London is an exceptionally inclusive city with a stunningly diverse populace that embraces everyone, or B) London is attempting to divert attention away from its underlying issues.
Independent of your feelings towards King’s methods, it’s hard not to find intriguing the timing of these events. Children’s films have often tackled themes beyond their surface level in the past, but this time, it seems remarkably explicit. For years, we’ve debated whether it’s possible to separate the art from the artist, and now we may be faced with a question that flips that idea on its head – can we separate the message from its creator’s identity? Interestingly, this is opposite of what usually happens in reality.
As a gamer, it feels like sometimes the world in games is just so harmonious and effortless, making me wish reality could be more of the same. Maybe what I truly need is a reminder that people should have the freedom to move about, and kindness towards each other shouldn’t be a rarity. Perhaps, when we fail to heed the words of humans, it takes an animated bear, speaking for the voiceless, to drive the message home.
Paddington in Peru review score: 4/5
Absolutely! It’s possible for an animated film to be both exceptional yet fraught with flaws simultaneously, and Paddington in Peru serves as a fine illustration of this duality. Initially, you might have been focused on the technical aspects and hidden messages, but by the conclusion, your mind is likely devoid of anything other than the Brown family – which is quite extraordinary, given how seldom this occurs.
If you’re going to expose yourself to twee, this is the franchise to pick. Even if you disagree with the nuts and bolts of the threequel, King’s trilogy is well-crafted for all ages, and that’s enough reason to part with your hard-earned cash. Definitely not better than Paddington 2 though, sorry.
In the UK, Paddington will be gracing our cinema screens on November 8, while US viewers can catch him on January 17, 2025. For additional information, explore top anime live-action adaptations and keep updated about upcoming movies such as the Snow White reimagining and the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
You can also catch up with new movies streaming this month and the best movies of the year so far.
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2024-11-04 12:18