Warning: this article contains spoilers for Paddington in Peru.
The newest film in the Paddington series, Paddington in Peru, sees the beloved main character embark on a brand-new adventure while also answering a burning question. Paddington in Peru‘s cast features many actors from previous films reprising their roles, along with the great additions of Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas. The threequel sees Paddington embark on a journey to Peru in order to find Aunt Lucy after learning that she has gone missing in the Peruvian Amazon. Unsurprisingly, Paddington gets up to his usual, lovable trouble before finding Aunt Lucy and making a big decision in Paddington in Peru‘s ending.
While the movie has ranked slightly lower than its predecessors, Paddington in Peru still has a 93% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating, showing just how great the entire series is. The Paddington series as a whole is loved by children and adults alike due to its wholesome and fun approach to the trouble that Paddington often causes. However, there is one aspect of Paddington’s past that is slightly sadder, and Paddington in Peru finally explains a bit more about the bear’s unknown history.
Paddington In Peru Confirms Paddington’s Parents Died When He Was A Cub
The First Movie Implied This Fact But Did Not Explore Paddington’s History Much
The Paddington movies have always implied that Paddington was an orphan, given that he was raised by aunt Lucy, and was referred to as an orphan after meeting the Browns in the first movie. However, Paddington in Peru finally confirms his true past. One of the biggest reveals in Paddington in Peru is that Aunt Lucy hasn’t truly disappeared but instead, went to El Dorado to be with the bears. Because the adorable bear comes looking for her, Paddington ultimately ends up meeting other bears that are living there and bonds with others of his species for the first time.
When Paddington finally gets a chance to learn more about his own past and the other bears of El Dorado, Paddington in Peru does confirm that Paddington’s parents did die when he was very young. However, audiences already know that he still lived quite a happy life with Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo before his death and, later, with the Browns. What’s more, Paddington finally gets to meet another group of bears who love marmalade just as much as him, proving that he does have a community of extended family who care for him as well.
Why Paddington In Peru Doesn’t Fully Explain What Happened To Paddington’s Parents
It Is Not Really Necessary For Paddington’s Story
While Paddington in Peru does confirm that Paddington’s parents did die when he was just a cub, the movie does not really give much more of an explanation than that. However, this lack of detail actually makes perfect sense given that the Paddington movies are largely made for young audiences. Children might find more information about Paddington’s past too sad, and these details are not really necessary for the plot anyway. The Paddington movies are very lighthearted overall, and, while there are some sad moments throughout, none of the movies really dwell on these for long.
Paddington’s journey is about finding out more about his own heritage, but its ending has a positive focus on the El Dorado bears that he meets and his time with the Browns.
Having too much information about what happened to Paddington’s parents could have completely changed the tone of Paddington in Peru. Plus, Paddington himself may not even really remember what happened to his parents, so it could be difficult to introduce the topic in a way that would make sense. Paddington’s journey is about finding out more about his own heritage, but its ending has a positive focus on the El Dorado bears that he meets and his time with the Browns. Paddington in Peru proves that even without focusing on Paddington’s parents, he has plenty of loving family.
