Following the success and general euphoria around the first two Paddington films, the pressure to make a third one just as funny and successful must have been fierce.
And while Paddington in Peru doesn't quite reach the heights - particularly of Paddington 2 - achieved by its predecessors, it’s still great fun. The difference for me is that, third time around, it feels more like a kids’ film than a family one.
I don’t see that as a fault, but then again I’m not someone who feels that what’s essentially a childhood experience must also have knowing moments of mirth for adults. Far better to just not grow up.
But if you've even a tiny amount of inner Paddington, you'll lap it up. It's clearly a labour of love for first-time director Dougal Wilson, who puts his own stamp - or should that be paw? - on this production.
This time around, the writers had to come up with a new angle after the first film introduced filmgoers to Paddington and Paddington introduced himself to the Brown family.
Last time out, the intrepid bear ends up behind bars thanks to being framed by Hugh Grant’s Phoenix Buchanan. Now, he faces a very different challenge.
Paddington has become a UK citizen, passport and all, and is still living happily with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens - where Emily Mortimer has replaced Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown - when he receives some worrying news from his native Peru.
In a letter from The Reverend Mother who runs the Home for Retired Bears, he learns that his beloved Aunt Lucy - who’s residing there - misses him dearly.
Before there’s time to say 'marmalade sandwich?’ Paddington and the Browns, including Mrs Bird, head off to South America on an epic journey that none of them will ever forget.
In what’s now an established Paddington tradition (think Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson), the story and cast is enhanced by the addition of Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas in supporting roles.
Colman plays the aforementioned Mother Superior, while Banderas is Hunter Cabot, a river boat captain haunted by his greedy ancestors.
As well as being a trip back to Paddington’s roots, this is very much an adventure for the Browns, who get into all sorts of scrapes as they head through the Amazon rainforest and up the vertiginous peaks of Peru.
It’s bear-illiant in many ways, with Olivia Colman - who else? - stealing the show with a typically ebullient performance and that perfect smile of hers.
Oh, and stay in your seat for the credits to end. There’s a surprise that's worth the wait.
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