The third installment, *Paddington in Peru*, marks a shift as Paul King didn’t direct or write this one, opting instead to focus on *Wonka*. Though he contributed the idea for the next film and remains an executive producer, Emily Mortimer steps in to replace Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown, and Peter Capaldi's Mr. Curry is notably absent. Paddington receives a letter from The Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) informing him that his Aunt Lucy is behaving strangely and desperately misses him. This prompts a journey to Peru with the Browns, where they discover she has vanished. Their search leads them into uncharted jungle territory in hopes of finding her. Simultaneously, significant changes are occurring at home for the Brown family. Judy (Madeleine Harris) is now creating travel vlogs and planning for college, while Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) utilizes inventions to aid his video game playing. Mary (Mortimer) is grappling with empty nest syndrome, and Henry (Hugh Bonneville) worries about adapting to the assertive style of his new boss. The trip to Peru feels like a final family vacation before everything changes permanently. Upon arrival in Peru, Paddington uncovers a clue suggesting Aunt Lucy headed towards a place called Rumi Rock, necessitating a boat journey. This is when they encounter Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina (Carla Tous). The humor in *Paddington in Peru* appears to be heightened compared to the previous films. While much of it still relies on physical comedy stemming from Paddington’s clumsiness or misunderstandings, the film establishes early on that something is amiss with The Reverend Mother, which becomes a recurring joke throughout. Hunter Cabot is burdened by his family's history; the Cabots are known for their greed, and despite his best intentions, Hunter struggles against this legacy. He values his daughter above all else, but Paddington inadvertently stirs up something dark within him. Antonio Banderas’ portrayal of Hunter Cabot bears resemblance to Burger Beard from *The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water*, though with greater depth. He embodies several Cabot ancestors, including a female character, displaying both silliness and serving as one of the film's primary antagonists. The screenplay is credited to Mark Burton (also involved in *Paddington 2* and *Early Man*), Jon Foster, and James Lamont (who previously worked on *The Adventures of Paddington* animated series). The screen story contributions come from Paul King, Simon Farnaby, and Mark Burton. *Paddington in Peru* can be enjoyed independently or as part of the trilogy. While there are nods to earlier films—familiar moments like a stern gaze and a mid-credits scene paying tribute to Paddington’s prison companions—they don't detract from the central narrative. Viewers could even begin their journey with this film without needing prior knowledge of the previous installments. *Paddington in Peru* follows a predictable path, but it skillfully utilizes those expectations. The story unfolds as anticipated, yet viewers remain emotionally invested and moved by key moments. The Paddington films consistently embrace heartfelt storytelling, and if you need to reconnect with your emotions, this film is sure to do the trick. The films have always celebrated a sense of wonder and contentment in simple pleasures, and *Paddington in Peru* continues that tradition, emphasizing the vastness of the world beyond one's comfort zone and the importance of kindness. Ultimately, it’s a touching story about embracing your inner bear and appreciating the value of home.

Source on TMDB