A decade after the original Paddington hit theaters, the beloved bear returns in Paddington in Peru (released in November 2024 in the UK). While fans hoping for another masterpiece like Paddington 2—which famously held a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score until 2021—might need to adjust their expectations, the new film, though charming, doesn't quite reach the same storytelling heights as its predecessor.
The story follows Paddington and the Browns on an adventure through the Peruvian jungle. Yet, something feels different when our furry friend leaves London behind. Ironically, even in his homeland, Paddington doesn't quite seem to be like himself. It's only natural that you can't wrap your head around it. After all, he came from Peru, and even his current name was given to him by the Browns when he first met them. This peculiar disconnect speaks to a deeper truth about the immigrant experience: that sense of being caught between two worlds, and forever feeling like an "outsider." Most notably, the film prioritizes plot over the emotional depth that made the earlier installments so special.

At its core, Paddington's story has always been beautifully simple. From Michael Bond's original books to the first adapted film, we see the small bear from Peru arriving at London's Paddington Station, where he first met the Browns, with nothing but a note saying, "Please look after this bear. Thank you." The first two films chronicled his journey from an outsider to a beloved family member of the Browns, winning over not just them, but the entire community. Through it all, Paddington's omnipresent charisma, unfaltering gentle spirit, unfailing politeness, endearing innocence and boundless warmth showed how kindness could bridge any divide. His pure-hearted approach to life made abstract concepts like love and goodness feel real and achievable.
Just the sight of Paddington in his signature duffle coat and red hat, carrying his old suitcase, fills me with warmth—so much so that it's easy to forget the very real challenges an outsider like him might face in London. Yet, as a family film that is based on children's literature and suitable for all age groups, the series skillfully balances these heavier themes with a lighter touch. Like all great fairy tales, it has its villains and obstacles, but good always triumphs in the end. Love and kindness prevail over all difficulties, weaving emotional connections among characters and touching viewers' hearts. At its core, Paddington remains a beautiful testament to how people can come together across their differences, with our beloved bear leading the way as love's most courageous messenger.

The first two Paddington films portrayed an idealistic view where our bear buddy seemingly overcame all cultural barriers with ease. While real-life immigration stories are far more complex, we willingly suspend our disbelief as we get drawn in by the films' enchanting fairy-tale world where such beautiful dreams of seamless cultural assimilation come true. In Paddington in Peru, our protagonist proudly receives his British passport before joining the Browns on what should be a meaningful journey home to visit Aunt Lucy at the retired bears' residence. Yet, something feels off—the film treats Peru as just another exotic destination and Paddington as a visiting tourist, forgetting that that's his birthplace.
This disconnect becomes more apparent as the story unfolds. Rather than exploring Paddington's emotional homecoming, the film opts for a straightforward adventure narrative. Peru is reduced to a picturesque backdrop for treasure hunting, centered around the colonial myth of El Dorado. We see everything through tourist eyes, and witness how deep cultural connections between Paddington and Peru get traded for surface-level exploratory excitement. Even when Paddington reunites with his own kind, the emotional weight of returning to his roots feels surprisingly light. It may enthral discovery enthusiasts, yet in the end, it offers little more than a breathtaking visual spectacle.
The film instead saves its most powerful emotional moments for scenes affirming Paddington's connection to the Browns. While their bond is genuinely touching, and the series cleverly uses cultural differences to explore themes traditionally tied to class, it raises complex questions about identity and belonging. Can Paddington truly choose his identity when he's seen as an outsider in both Britain and Peru? Who exactly is he when he's caught between two worlds?
Looking at it this way, Paddington in Peru takes a rather simple approach to solving the bear's identity crisis: it suggests that love, relationships, and family bonds are what truly define who we are. The film presents a straightforward solution—once Paddington finds his place within a family, his outsider status seemingly disappears. Given how central the idea of family remains in modern society, it's no surprise that the film's target audience readily embraces this heartwarming, though somewhat simplified, resolution.
While Paddington in Peru succeeds as a heartwarming family film offering entertainment and emotional connection, its real strength lies in providing a temporary escape from everyday life. Though it doesn't tackle deep social issues, it serves as a gentle reminder that joy can be found in life's simple moments.

Yet, I find myself questioning whether family-centered stories like this still resonate as deeply as they once did. As our understanding of traditional family structures evolves and their fragility becomes more apparent, the idealized notion of "family" feels increasingly like a beautiful but unattainable dream. This partly explains my mixed reaction to the film—while I understand Paddington's steadfast belief in family, my own perspective has shifted. These fairy tales can still touch my heart, but their magic feels more ephemeral now.
Looking ahead, if the Paddington series is to continue and avoid the middling reception of this latest installment, it should return to what made the first two films special: celebrating the inherent goodness in people. Those films succeeded by showing how human kindness can bridge any divide. We see this playing out in real life, too—just look at how English-speaking "TikTok refugees" and Chinese RedNote users find ways to connect and communicate despite their different backgrounds. These genuine, warm-hearted interactions remind us that believing in human goodness isn't just a comforting story—it's a vital source of hope we all need.
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