A good film journalist enters a motion picture without bias. It's not always easy, however, and we're most certainly human. More importantly, we're true movie lovers who cringe when a film falls woefully short and celebrate when there's a film that comes along that creates movie magic for our cynical hearts. 

For me, the Paddington films are movie magic. I refuse to call them guilty pleasures, because there's not an ounce of guilt I feel for my love for all things Paddington and for the ways they transport me in ways few films ever have in my 20+ years of film journalism. 

Paddington 2 was near perfection. It was easily one of the best family films ever made and no doubt directly influenced the BAFTA decision to create a category for family films in its awards (a category that, quite egregiously, Paddington in Peru was not nominated for this year). A friend and professional peer, Evan Dossey of Midwest Film Journal, became diehard advocates for the film upon its release and fought tooth-and-nail to ensure its inclusion in the Indiana Film Journalists top ten films of the year. To this day, we both have Paddington stuffed bears in our homes and Dossey has properly handed down his love for the film to his son Luke. 

That's quite proper parenting. 

Marmalade for all. 

I might be willing to confess that Paddington in Peru is a slight notch below the perfection of Paddington 2, more aligned with the original Paddington and yet still scores above the vast majority of family films released in theaters. Paul King, director of the first two Paddington films, stepped aside to handle his Wonka duties and yet stayed on as executive producer. His influence is felt immensely as experienced music video director Dougal Wilson takes over the helm with nary a missed beat. 

Paddington in Peru delivers everything I've come to love about the franchise including the British mastery of talking up to children rather than down. The film possesses an abundance of charm, gentle humor, light yet undeniable messaging, fun music, and Ben Whishaw's iconic whimsy as England's most beloved bear. Perhaps at its core, Paddington in Peru is about the joy of belonging as our beloved bear returns to his native land and the film's narrative arc switches from the immigrant experience to immersing ourselves in that place we call home. 

Given the title, it's hopefully unsurprising that Paddington whisks himself off to Peru in this adventure, his homeland, following a call from Mother Superior (Olivia Colman) about his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) and her unusual behaviors. Mrs. Brown (Emily Mortimer, taking over for a departing Sally Hawkins), as usual, supports the hijinks despite the resistance, as usual, of Mr. Brown (a returning Hugh Bonneville). 

Following laid out clues, Paddington leads us off on another whimsical, sentimental but never overly so, and often goofy adventure that includes a steamboat captain (Antonio Banderas, practically made for this kind of vocal work) and his teenager (Carla Tous). 

While I will confess to having worried mightily that King's absence and the film series' increased cult status may have been leading toward a disappointing third entry, Wilson makes his feature directing debut a beautiful experience for all.  He's gifted with a largely British cast clearly in touch with what makes us all love Paddington and he infuses this wonderful film with a terrific tapestry of hilarity, humor, and absolute heart from beginning to end. A delightful Julie Walters returns as the housekeeper Mrs. Bird, while both Colman and Banderas are clearly having a blast here with Colman's handling of the title song a sublime highlight. Mortimer more than ably fills the shoes of a missed Sally Hawkins, though perhaps is given a bit less to do this time around. However, Paddington in Peru is the film where I've really embraced the masterful vocal work offered by Ben Whishaw, whose vocal acting simply can't be over-appreciated as it's filled with so much recognition nostalgia along with sweetness, heart, humor, a sense of adventure, and the creating of a character with whom you simply smile the minute you say his name. 

Paddington. 

So, yes. I'll confess to a certain beloved bias. I'll confess that I love Paddington the bear with every fiber of my being. Paddington soothes my cynical heart, creates moviegoing magic, and simply transports me in a way few films have done over the course of this bear's three cinematic adventures. Whether it's a hard stare or a marmalade sandwich, Paddington in Peru continues the wonder that is easily one of the best family film franchises of the 21st century. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic