Paddington in Peru (in theaters)

Turns out even Paddington can have an off day.

Though the first two movies in the series are generally beloved, the quality dips noticeably for “Paddington in Peru.” It’s still cute enough to appeal to kids, but all the little touches that elevated the previous movies are gone. The script is a mess, the main villain tips too far into cartoonishness, and the new setting is completely wasted. Though Ben Whishaw is still a delight as Paddington, the majority of what’s going on around him falls short.

A big part of this is undoubtedly the new director. Paul King, who directed the first two movies, has been replaced by first-time feature director Dougal Wilson. Wilson is best known for directing Christmas ads, and that commercial flatness pervades every inch of the new movie. This is particularly true when it comes to everything Peruvian in the movie, which is reduced to nothing more than set dressing.

Still, there are things to love. Whishaw is as charming as always, bringing London with him even into the jungle. Olivia Coleman is equally delightful as a singing nun Paddington comes across, full of manic glee that has just the right amount of edge. She would fit beautifully into either of the previous movies, which is a high compliment. The movie’s ending is just as heartwarming as anyone could hope for.

In the end, though, this is definitely the most disappointing of Paddington’s adventures.

Grade: Two and a half stars

Divinity (Shudder)

If you liked “The Substance,” you should try “Divinity.”

Made in 2023 but hitting streaming for the first time, “Divinity” plays with some of the same ideas as last year’s horror hit. Humanity’s obsession with beauty and longevity gets them in trouble, but in director Eddie Alcazar’s hands the problems are spread across a much wider stage. All of society gets into trouble, quasi-religious and operatic in scope, and when angels come down to deliver their vengeance they get sucked in, too. The palette is black and white, the vibe is retro-futuristic, and when things come crashing down the results are as twisted and wild as you could hope for. It doesn’t make a ton of sense, but if you let it the vibe can sweep you away.

The movie starts with a scientist who makes a serum he hopes will help people, but later his son Jaxxon (Stephen Dorff) turns it into the hot new beauty drug. This has terrible consequences for humanity, and when the angels force Jaxxon to experience Divinity it has terrible consequences for him, too. Will humanity’s quest to stay beautiful and young leave any survivors?

The movie is determined to make its own reality, one the performances back up. The most dramatic, interesting example of this is Dorff as Jaxxon, the architect of all the chaos. His performance is both fully dedicated and absolutely gonzo, just like the movie itself. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if it’s a flavor you like the experience is unforgettable.

Grade: Two stars

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Utah Film Critics Association. Find her on Twitter at @wardellwriter or drop her a line at [email protected].