“Paddington In Peru” is a delightful live-action and CGI adventure comedy.

The CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) is embodied in the title character, that loveable, polite and kindly bear with the British accent, Paddington (voiced wonderfully by Ben Whishaw).

In the latest in the franchise, Paddington returns to his roots in Peru, intending to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy (voiced endearingly by Imelda Staunton) at the Home for Retired Bears.

Traveling with Paddington is his host family, the Browns, part of the film’s live-action crew: father Henry (sagacious Hugh Bonneville), mother Mary (charming Emily Mortimer), and their children, Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin).

When they arrive at the retirement home, the Reverend Mother (the great Olivia Colman), who is in charge of the facility, tells them that Aunt Lucy has disappeared.

The Browns charter a river boat on the Amazon and head into the rain forest to search for Aunt Lucy. The boat skipper is Hunter Cabot (an over-the-top Antonio Banderas), assisted by his daughter Gina (Carla Tous).

The boat captain has an ulterior motive. He’s searching for the lost kingdom of El Dorado and its cache of gold.

“Paddington In Peru” is a very smart adventure-comedy. After all, Paddington is a very smart bear.

The Paddington theatrical motion picture franchise, which includes “Paddington” (2014) and “Paddington 2” (2017), is based on the children’s novels by Michael Bond (1926-1917) with some 29 Paddington books published from 1958 to 2018.

“Paddington In Peru” brings the story full circle. Paddington was sent from Peru by his Aunt Lucy to the United Kingdom with not much more than a jar of marmalade. The Brown family found him at Paddington Station, thus his name.

“Paddington In Peru” is directed by Dougal Wilson in his feature film directorial debut from a screenplay by Mark Burton (“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,” 2024; “Paddington 2,” 2017; Oscar nominee, animated feature, “Shaun the Sheep Movie,” 2016; “Gnomeo & Juliet,” 2011; “Madagascar,” 2005); Jon Foster (“Queen Elizabeth and Paddington Bear Film,” 2022) and James Lamont (TV’s “The Adventures of Paddington,” 2019-2023) based on a screen story by Burton, Paul King (director, “Wonka,” 2013; “Paddington 2,” “Paddington”; TV’s “The Mighty Boosh,” 2004-2007) and Simon Farnaby (screenplay, “Wonka”) based on characters created by Michael Bond.

The British cast, most of whom returned for the third installment, is bracingly excellent. In supporting roles are Julie Walters (Mrs. Bird) and Jim Broadbent (Mr. Gruber). In an uncredited cameo is Hugh Grant (Phoenix Buchanan from “Paddington 2”).

“Paddington in Peru” is frequently laugh-out-loud funny with slapstick, sight gags and humorous dialogue. Scenes in the Browns’ London home and at the retirement home in Peru have a certain charm. Action scenes on the Amazon and in the rain forest provide thrills and chills.

Paddington is adorable. The red fisherman’s-style hat and blue hooded toggle duffle coat are so United Kingdom. His Peruvian name, by the way, is Pastuso.

The Computer Generated Imagery of Paddington is superb. The detail in the bear’s eyes, fur, facial expressions and mannerisms is amazing. Paddington, as a CGI character, is fully integrated into the scenes with the actors.

The cinematography by Erik Wilson (cinematographer, “Better Man,” 2024; “Paddington 2”’ “Paddington”) is solid throughout.

The screenplay pays homage to classic movies and scenes: a rolling boulder chasing Paddington ala Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of The Lost Ark” (1981); the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) singing “Let’s Prepare for Paddington” with a finale in a mountaintop field ala Maria (Julie Andrews) singing “The Hills Are Alive” in “The Sound of Music” (1965), and a stone wall falling, framing Paddington in a window, similar to the falling building facade with Buster Keaton in the doorway in “Steamboat Bill Jr.” (1928).

The film’s score by Dario Marianelli (“Paddington 2”; Oscar recipient, original score, “Atonement,” 2008; Oscar nominee, original score, “Anna Karenina,” 2013; Oscar nominee, original score, “Pride & Prejudice,” 2006) is sprightly.

The soundtrack includes snippets of Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer,” Gioachino Rossini’s “The William Tell Overture” and Johann Strauss II’s “The Blue Danube.”

“Paddington in Peru” concludes with a close-up of the original tag attached to the bear, which states: “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”

The film-makers of “Paddington in Peru” are doing just that with this delightful movie and franchise. It’s a film that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

“Paddington in Peru,” MPAA rated PG (Parental guidance suggested, meaning some material may not be suitable for children) for action, mild rude humor and some thematic elements; Genre: Adventure, Comedy; Run time: 1 hour, 46 minutes. Distributed by Sony-Columbia Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: Stay to the very end of “Paddington in Peru” for a scene with Hugh Grant (Phoenix Buchanan). “Great fun,” he says. Indeed, the film is. Filming locations included Colombia, Peru and England.

At The Movies: “Paddington in Peru” was seen in the standard format at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, March 14-16: “Novocaine,” a thriller starring Jack Quaid, a son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, as a man who feels no pain, opened at No. 1 with $8.7 million in 3,365 theaters. “Black Bag,” a spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett and directed by Steven Soderbergh, opened at No. 2 with $7.6 million in 2,705 theaters. “Mickey 17” dropped from No. 1 to No. 3 with $7.4 million in 3,807 theaters, $33.2 million, two weeks.

4. “Captain America: Brave New World” dropped two places, $5.6 million in 3,250 theaters, $185.6 million, five weeks. 5. “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,” $3.1 million in 2,827 theaters, opening. 6. “The Last Supper, $2.7 million in 1,575 theaters, opening. 7. “Paddington in Peru” dropped two places, $2.6 million in 2,489 theaters, $41.2 million, five weeks. 8. “Dog Man” dropped two places, $2.5 million in 2,407 theaters, $92.8 million, seven weeks. “The Monkey” dropped five places, $2.4 million in 2,294 theaters, $35.2 million, four weeks. 10. “Last Breath” dropped seven places, $2.2 million in 2,661 theaters, $18.5 million, three weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of March 16 is subject to change.

Unreel, March 21:

“Snow White,” PG: Marc Webb directs Rachel Zegler (Snow White), Gal Gadot (the Evil Queen) and the voice talents of the Seven Dwarfs (CGI) in the live-action Musical Fantasy adaptation of the 1937 Disney animation feature classic.

“The Alto Knights,” R: Barry Levinson directs Robert De Niro in a dual role as Italian-American mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello in the Biography Crime Drama.

“Locked,” R: David Yarovesky directs Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins in the Horror Thriller. A thief who steals a luxury SUV takes a wrong turn.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of March 17 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes