This third entry in the Paddington series finds our ursine hero and his human family the Browns en route to Peru to visit Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. The title suggests an opportunity for the tables to turn as Paddington revisits his birthplace and the Browns are along for the ride as the outsiders.
And to a point that is true. There are bears galore at the retirement home which is run by nuns led by Olivia Colman in shimmering grinny form. She even sings!
And much later when the family is lost in the jungles and encounters some wild creatures it does appear as if Paddington is equipped to lead the way. But this is not really how things play out which is a disappointment.
So much time is spent on the hunt for Aunt Lucy and giving screentime to Antonio Banderas's hammy riverboat captain (clearly hoping to repeat the Hugh Grant in overdrive trick of the second film), that very little thought is given to the bears at all. Think about it: this would be the first time Paddington would be in the majority. Surely he would want to revisit his old home, perhaps pay tribute to his Uncle Pastuzo, use his own language?
Not a bit of it. The climax which finds the family face to face with some unexpected inhabitants affords zero time to Paddington even considering his birth roots. Everything is quickly wrapped up and then it's back to London for a quick cameo from an old face.
Never thought I would say it but Paddington really needs more bears and fewer human beings.