By Liv Dunleavy Asst. Arts & Features Editor If you haven’t seen the classic films “Paddington” or “Paddington 2,” you might want to set aside a day for fun with this adorable British-Peruvian bear. “Paddington in Peru,” the third movie in the “Paddington” franchise finally hit U.S. theaters in February smashing the box office and garnering avid attention from Paddington fans across the world. The film opens on Paddington taking his photo for his passport in a photobooth in an amusing sequence of photos. Finally, settling on what in my opinion should not be a legal option for a passport photo, he celebrates his UK citizenship with the Brown family and friends. We then get an update on what the Brown family has been up to all this time since the last film. Judy is in the process of applying to university and Jonathan is inventing lots of amazing projects still, but barely leaves his room. Mary, the mother, has been working on an art piece called “The Sofa Years,” and it represents how over the years the sofa has become more empty since the kids have grown up. Henry, the father, who works as a risk analyzer at an insurance firm, has a new boss at work from America, who encourages him to “embrace risk.” Paddington jots all of this down in a letter to his Aunt Lucy, to update her and tell her about how life is treating him and his family recently. Though, in a turn of events, this gentlemanly chap has found himself in quite the predicament when he receives a letter from the Home for Retired Bears, where his only remaining family member Aunt Lucy lives, stating that she has been acting odd and seems lonely. Paddington has found a home in his foster family, the Browns, over the years he has spent living with them after that fateful day all of those years ago when they took him in. So when he hears from the Home for Retired Bears that his Aunt Lucy is not feeling well, he decides he’d like for them all to go visit her. It is a perfect moment for Paddington as he finally received his UK passport and can travel freely, and has to convince the Brown family to take a vacation to Peru to visit his lonely aunt. Henry - the usual party pooper - takes this as an opportunity, no - a risk - and surprisingly agrees to the trip. But things start getting weird when Paddington feels a strange primal connection to his good friend Mr. Gruber’s collection of bear-themed Peruvian tchotchkes at the antique store. After a wonderful song and flight montage, the family arrives at the Home for Retired Bears and starts assessing the situation. But it turns out Aunt Lucy is gone! Why would Aunt Lucy just up and leave like this? It seems that she’s set off on a quest in the jungle, but why? This mystery is what the family has to solve, and by solve, I mean they need to search the entire Amazon in pursuit of her. Of course, Paddington is determined to find her in the midst of the literal largest jungle in the world. The family embarks on what I would describe as an incredibly-comical-yet-frustrating pursuit on a rented boat with a charismatic shady-ish man and his daughter who heavily implies they should not continue this journey. After watching it twice now, I’ve determined I love this movie and I love the “Paddington” franchise. He is just a gentlemanly bear, with such a kind soul, and gives everyone a chance to be their best self. Every character experiences some sort of growth in this film. I loved how unique it was even for antagonists - how they overcame their own hurdles. I found myself laughing so much I had a headache by the time the end credits rolled. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who needs a pick-me-up, or wants a good laugh. It’s heartfelt, silly, and makes a wonderful story out of a Peruvian bear who is also a UK citizen. It lifted my spirits up after a horrible day, and even on a rainy day, Paddington’s encouraging attitude could make the London clouds clear to make way for sunshine.