Paddington’s Peruvian Adventure Falls Short: Critics Reveal Franchise’s Lowest Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Prepare, PaddiSTANS! Our beloved bear ruler, Paddington, is making his grand comeback on U.S. screens with “Paddington Goes to Peru“, and he’s bringing along a commendable rating on Rotten Tomatoes (and possibly a jar or two of marmalade). Although everyone’s favorite talking bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw, first appeared in the UK back in November, his latest escapade is now ready to unfold here on February 14, 2025 (a slight delay from its original release date of January 17). Despite some critics suggesting a less exhilarating journey compared to its earlier installments, it remains one of the most acclaimed films of the year so far according to Rotten Tomatoes.

Initially when the movie was released internationally, it had a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 91%. However, in the time leading up to its American premiere, the film’s score has actually increased slightly to 93%. While this isn’t quite as high as the 99% fresh rating of Paddington 2 or even the original Paddington’s 97%, it’s still significantly better than most family-friendly movies currently available. It’s also important to note that no sequel will ever surpass the greatness of Paddington 2, a cinematic masterpiece. (This is not an exaggeration but a simple statement of fact.)

How Does ‘Paddington in Peru’ Compare To The Previous ‘Paddington’ Installments?

Based on the film synopsis, the latest movie finds Paddington searching for his missing aunt who resides at the Retired Bears’ Home. This leads him and the Brown family to venture into the dense jungles of Peru in search of her. As they delve deeper into the rainforests of the Amazon, they unwittingly unearth a legendary treasure. The movie presents a new kind of adventure for Paddington, one that is reminiscent of Indiana Jones’ escapades. As per Rotten Tomatoes’ “Critics Consensus”, “Paddington in Peru” transports cinema’s most polite bear to a new environment under fresh creative direction, offering an enjoyable family adventure for all ages. The majority of critics seem to concur with this sentiment.

It appears that the challenges I’ve encountered with this movie stem from its fresh creative team, particularly the new director Dougal Wilson, who is making his feature film debut, along with writers Mark Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont. As David Ehrlich of IndieWire noted:

In essence, director Paul King has uniquely captured a special charm with his versions of Paddington and Paddington 2 based on Michael Bond’s famous British immigrant character. While another filmmaker might not be able to replicate the same magic as effectively, it would still be better than denying fans another chance to see Ben Whishaw and the Brown family again. This sentiment remains valid in any era, but it is particularly relevant now that children’s live-action films seem limited to productions like Harold and the Purple Crayon.

To put it another way, while some reviewers were more complimentary, critic William Bibbiani from TheWrap was less generous in his assessment, stating that the latest Paddington film is “unpleasant”. He expanded on this by saying that Paddington in Peru resembles the kind of unremarkable, easily forgettable entertainment we initially anticipated from the Paddington series. Although it has some emotional depth, it’s overshadowed by tired writing and excessive filler. In fact, there’s so much padding, it’s like a massive ton of it.

In simpler terms, Guy Lodge from Variety stated that the visual creativity and humorous style of the first two movies made by King gave them an unusual, slightly chaotic appeal that appealed to both children and adults. The new movie by Wilson, however, is a more typical kids’ entertainment, with a forced storyline about a quest which takes the franchise even further away from the cozy, homey feel of Michael Bond’s original books.

Ultimately, Leslie Felperin from The Hollywood Reporter might have summed it up most accurately. She pointed out that “the follow-up isn’t a shame by any means. It boasts numerous appealing aspects, such as breathtaking landscapes, an exciting tale for kids, and Olivia Colman in the role of a maniacally grinning, occasionally singing, nun.” However, she also emphasized that “Paddington in Peru” faces the difficult challenge of living up to two almost flawless predecessors.

Regardless of the situation or the Rotten Tomatoes rating, this specific author is positive that she will be following and backing her favorite Peruvian bear and charming British family. This is because, amidst a world growing increasingly dark, Paddington Bear serves as a beacon of light.

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2025-01-23 22:33