42/44
Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now lives in a retirement home for bears. Accompanying the Brown family, they have a thrilling adventure when a mystery takes them on an unexpected journey. Graham Norton’s show stars: Billy Crystal/Emily Mortimer/Hugh Bonneville/Pharrell Williams/Michael Kiwanuka (2024). ‘Paddington Peru (2024)’ isn’t as good as Paddington 2 (2017), but it’s not as big a step down as some early reactions led me to believe. For the most part, this is still an entertaining and delightfully polite experience that’s as enjoyable as it is brisk. While the standard adventure narrative is less quirky than the vignette approach of the first two films, it still works well enough in this context and allows its endearing characters to continue their charm even as they are subjected to the classic sequel. are taken out of their natural habitat to explore the protagonist’s as-yet-unknown origins. There are plenty of funny moments, and the film is good-natured from the very first frame. It’s a really nice film, and sometimes that’s all you need. It lacks a strong emotional core compared to its predecessors. While some of its moments are moving, the plot isn’t particularly heavy and won’t work your tear ducts. Also, some of its action is quite superficial and, as my brother pointed out, almost feels like a forced thought. The narrative as a whole is quite conventional and follows a set formula almost to the point. It’s quite predictable and feels relatively generic, almost like it’s been modernized for Paddington after its basic rhythms were already in place. Despite some of its problems, this feature is still more than enough to make it enjoyable. Its attractive cast is as strong as ever, and a couple of delightful newcomers (Antonio Banderas and Olivia Colman) happily chew the scenery whenever they need to. The special effects are consistently good, perhaps bringing the eponymous bear to life in a way that makes it strange to think he’s never actually in the same place as the other characters. When he’s not, of course, sauntering down the red carpet, it feels like someone has disappeared. The film is light and fluid; it really flies by and is generally a lot of fun. It’s jam-packed with visual and dialogue-driven gizmos, as well as plot scenes that sweep you off your feet. This is a really good time. Ultimately, this is a perfectly respectable addition to the series, one that’s well-made and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it falls short of “Paddington 2 (2017),” as the argument must be made for which is the best, or at least the most universally appealing, picture of all time. , because this really is a great family film. If you’re expecting the greatest movie of all time (again) or even the second greatest movie of all time, you’re bound to be disappointed. However, it’s a solid piece of work that’s charming and entertaining in almost every scene. It’s far better than many similarly priced films. If you’re not expecting a miracle, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.