Travel, Taking Risks, and Finding Treasure

My family loved the original Paddington Movie, and the Paddington 2 was even better. So,the big question is, “Would we be able to say we loved the third installment just as much?” In this Paddington in Peru Christian Movie Review and Parent Guide, I tackle that question and give you the information you need to make informed viewing decisions.

Paddington in Peru Christian Movie Review – SYNOPSIS

Studio Synopsis:

Paddington in Peru follows Paddington and the Brown family as they visit Aunt Lucy in Peru. A thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and to the mountain peaks of Peru.

My Synopsis:

When Paddington receives a letter from Reverend Mother at the Home for Retired Bears about his Aunt Lucy, he knows he must go to see her. However, that means that the entire Brown family goes on holiday to Peru. But when they arrive, Aunt Lucy is missing and no body seems to know her whereabouts. Paddington and the Brown family set off on an adventure through the rainforest to find Aunt Lucy and encounter dangers along the way.

When they charter a boat led by Hunter Cabot, they learn that he is in search of the gold from the lost city of El Dorado. Will they find Aunt Lucy? Or will they find an even greater treasure?

What Parents Want to Know – Paddington in Peru Christian Movie Review

Language:

While there is no foul language, God’s name is used. Someone says, “What in God’s name?” and “Thank God.” Additionally, words such as idiot and stupid are used.

Violence:

Paddington, as a young cub, is shown falling off a tree branch into a raging river below. Much of the movie revolves around raging waters or traveling down rivers. The Browns and Paddington hire a man to take them down river, and the captain falls overboard. Then the boat crashes and all the passengers are thrown in the water.

Some violent phrases uttered include: “Everyone who searches for El Dorado dies.” “How long until we eat each other?”

Paddington is bitten by a fish. Dead relatives are shown dying by various methods. A man is slapped in the face and almost falls of a cliff.

A large boulder, Indiana Jones style, chases Paddington and another man. Mr. Brown has a giant spider fall on his face.

A woman holds a gun on the Brown family and has Paddington in chains.

Spiritual Content:

Nuns operate the Home for Retired Bears. There are images of icons in the form of Catholic statues. A person is given a St. Christopher medal for travel protection as he is known as the Patron Saint of Travelers. The woman is later shown holding the medal and praying.

A nun says, “The Lord moves in suspicious ways.” Other “spiritual phrases” are said throughout the movies such as Hallelujah.

Additionally, a person says, “I have sinned,” and another person says, “I pray for your forgiveness.” The Catholic sign of the cross is made. The song Onward Christian Soldiers is sung.

Furthermore, there is talk about “spirits of the jungle,” Peruvian statues, and talk of curses. “My family is cursed.” “Haunted by ancestors.” The forest spirits look like giant moving trees or bushes.

A nun twirls around on a grass mountaintop in a nod to The Sound of Music.

People are shown being obsessed with finding the gold of El Dorado almost as if they are possessed with greed.

Adult Content:

A man drinks a lot and is shown drunk. He talks about a drunken night and getting a tattoo as a result. An emergency supply compartment on a boat has drinking glasses and alcohol.

Later, an anteater licks Mr. Brown’s face while he sleeps, and he says, “Mary, not with the kids around.”

Captain Cabot leaves his young daughter when she was 5 (issues of abandonment), and doesn’t return until she is 18.

When a woman comes across Captain Cabot, she looks at him and remarks, “What a handsome boat.” She clearly is enamored by him.

Positive Content:

There is a lot of positive content in Paddington in Peru. First, there is the message of the importance of family. Paddington and the Browns are close as ever and with the Brown’s oldest child looking at colleges, Mrs. Brown is struggling with the family not being as close anymore. Great lessons are learned throughout the entire film about family.

Additionally, Mr. Brown learns to “embrace the risk,” and to stop calculating everything in terms of “insurance risks.”

My Viewing Recommendations – Paddington in Peru Christian Movie Review

First, it needs to be said that Paddington is not my favorite bear. If you have been here for any length of time, you probably already know that my heart belongs to Winnie the Pooh! However, our family loved the original Paddington movie. It was quite a surprise to us that we loved Paddington 2 even more! We knew going into Paddington in Peru that there was little chance that a third Paddington could come close to the first two films.

However, we were pleasantly surprised. While Paddington in Peru is the weakest film in the trilogy, the marmalade-loving bear continues to warm hearts. Overall, there is very little content to keep families away from watching this film. I heartily recommend it for ages 7-8 and up.

About Paddington in Peru

Rating: PG for action, mild rude humor and thematic elements

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Runtime: 1 hour, 46 minutes

Genre: Adventure

Studio: StudioCanal, Columbia Pictures, Stage 6 Films, Konoshita Group, Marmalade Pictures

Directed by: Dougal Wilson

Screenplay by: Mark Burton, Jon Foster, James Lamont

Story by: Paul King, Simon Farnaby, Mark Burton

Based on Paddington stories by Michael Bond

Produced by: Rosie Alison

Edited by: Una Ni Dhonghaile

Music by: Dario Marianelli

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing

The Cast of Paddington in Peru

Paddington Bear voiced by Ben Whishaw

Aunt Lucy voiced by Imelda Staunton

Henry Brown played by Hugh Bonneville

Mary Brown played by Emily Mortimer

Judy Brown played by Madeleine Harris

Jonathan Brown played by Samuel Joslin

Mrs. Bird played by Julie Walters

Samuel Gruber played by Jim Broadbent

Clarissa Cabot/The Reverend Mother played by Olivia Colman

Hunter Cabot played by Antonio Banderas

Gina Cabot played by Carla Tous

Madison played by Hayley Atwell

Madison’s Assistant played by Aloreia Spencer

Joe the Postman played by Joel Fry

Dr. Jafri played by Sanjeev Bhaskar

Mr. Barnes played by Robbie Gee

Colonel Lancaster played by Ben Miller

Miss Kitts played by Jessica Hynes

Barry the Flight Attendant played by Simon Farnaby

Rosita the Nun played by Ella Bruccoleri

Phoenix Buchanan played by Hugh Grant

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are there end-credit scenes?

Do not leave when the credits begin playing. First, there is a mid-credit scene. Finally, there is a very brief end of credit scene.

Why did the original Mary Brown not reprise her role?

Sally Hawkins played the original Mary Brown. However, she has said it was time to pass the role to another actress. While it is rumored it is due to illness, if you go down the Reddit rabbit hole, you may read that Sally Hawkins had said some disparaging things about Paddington. Be warned—this is sarcasm!