Pack up the marmalade. We’re going on a trip! The latest feature in the Paddington franchise sees the loveable bear return to explore his homeland, sparking an adventure with new friends and foes alike.

In Paddington in Peru, Paddington and the Brown family head off to visit Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. But when they arrive, they’re stunned to find out that Aunt Lucy has gone missing. Under the watchful eye of the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) and with the guidance of riverboat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas), Paddington sets off into the Peruvian Amazon to track down his beloved aunt… and maybe even some gold along the way.

While Paddington 2 remains the standout of the trilogy, Paddington in Peru still offers up a good time for fans. Taking Paddington out of London gives the story space to explore new avenues and create new hijinks for the bear to get up to. With its rainforest setting, quest to save Aunt Lucy, and references to ancient Incan relics and the Lost City of Gold, Paddington in Peru also taps into the action/adventure genre, setting it apart from previous films.

Oliva Colman as Reverend Mother in Paddington in Peru
Oliva Colman as Reverend Mother
Antonio Banderas as Hunter Cabot in Paddington in Peru
Antonio Banderas as Hunter Cabot

However, this proves a bit of a double-edged sword; the grand scale of the adventure feels fun and exciting, lets us see Paddington in a new environment, and allows us to explore Paddington’s original home. Unfortunately, it also seems to chip away at the simple, homey feeling that’s so essentially “Paddington.” On top of that, Dougal Wilson’s film comes across a little less fun and whimsical than Paul King’s previous two installments. While definitely not devoid of laughs or emotion, Paddington in Peru doesn’t bring either as well as its predecessors.

Colman and Banderas both bring good energy to the franchise, and each commit to the sillier aspects of their characters well. Colman’s Reverend Mother crushes a Sound of Music-style song, complete with guitar strumming and whirling about on a grassy hill; Banderas gets to play not just Hunter Cabot, but the man’s entire lineage, on an ongoing (and unsuccessful) quest to find El Dorado.

(L-R) Samuel Joslin, Madeleine Harris, Paddington, Emily Mortimer, Hugh Bonneville, and Julie Walters in PADDINGTON IN PERU.

As for the Brown family, their presence is a bit of a mixed bag. The film attempts to give each member their own personal conflict, but some of these are resolved with more emotional and plot significance than others. Jonathan’s (Samuel Joslin) lack of ambition ultimately drives him to a story-important character change, while Mr. Brown’s risk-management efforts lead to a few comedic bits with no deeper significance. Judy’s (Madeleine Harris) efforts to prepare for college have essentially no impact on the story, besides supporting Mrs. Brown’s (Emily Mortimer, replacing Sally Hawkins) empty-nester fears. Ultimately, Paddington in Peru delivers for Mrs. Brown the most, tying her fears closely to Paddington’s journey and offering the best emotional payoff of the film.

Again, nothing can really top cinematic masterpiece Paddington 2. (For those who agree, make sure you stay put for this film’s mid-credits scene!) Still, while Paddington in Peru doesn’t reach the franchise’s previous heights, it remains a good time for fans. If you’re looking for an easy, family-feel good flick, you’ll do just fine here. 

Paddington in Peru premieres in theaters February 14.