Paddington: everyone’s favorite bear — an iconic character in children’s books and a classic figure from the United Kingdom. He’s back in his signature red hat and blue raincoat, ever so cuddly, polite and marmalade-obsessed. In this continuation to the “Paddington” film series, director Dougal Wilson pulls back from the London cityscape to guide the audience on an outdoor safari in the Peruvian Amazon with “Paddington in Peru,” released on Feb. 14. 

While screenwriter Paul King directed the first two movies in the series, this third installment continues the Paddington-esque charm under Wilson’s stylistic choices. Following a whimsical storyline befitting a child’s imagination, the movie shows a family bonding over the thrill of solving a disappearance mystery together, exploring themes of adventure and empathy through the eyes of the furry, lovable bear. 

The movie starts with Paddington (Ben Whishaw) living with his adoptive family, the Browns. Yet, the idealistic family and charming house are not quite the same as it was before. Now, the kids — Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) — are growing older, and Mary Brown (Emily Mortimer), the mom, feels increasingly disconnected from her children and unprepared for the “empty nest” syndrome.

The plot takes an adventurous turn once Paddington discovers that his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) has mysteriously disappeared from her retirement home in Peru. Accompanied by the Browns and their housekeeper Mrs. Bird (Julie Walters), Paddington returns to his tropical homeland. Together, they brave the wild, vast rainforest, encountering both hilarious and unpredictable obstacles in their journey.

In an unexpected addition to the Browns’ adventure, the beguiling boat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina (Carla Tous) agree to guide them through the raging rivers — however, unbeknownst to the Browns, the Cabot family has their own struggles. Throughout the movie, scenes between the father-daughter duo and the Browns expand on family conflicts yet reinforce the message that family is the true treasure.  

With aerial shots of lush greenery, rolling mountains and majestic waterfalls, the cinematography is breathtaking, providing a rich and immersive experience that pulls the audience in for Paddington’s jungle trek. The animation of the bears is incredibly realistic, down to each strand of Paddington’s glossy brown fur. In the witty dialogue between the travelers, viewers can relate to the family dynamics and laugh at the heartwarming jokes.

“Paddington in Peru” is the perfect film for a family movie night, or for anyone who wants to be reminded of their childhood days and take a leap into the stunning tropics of the Amazon.

“Paddington in Peru”

1 hour, 46 minutes

Rated PG

Directed by Dougal Wilson