PG, 2h 10min – Animation, Adventure, Family
Opens Wednesday, December 19th
In their attempt to squeeze every last franchise until it’s bone dry, Disney has gone back to the well with one of their most famous properties, choosing to resurrect the long-dormant “Mary Poppins” for the soft reboot treatment. Any cynicism you bring into the theater will quickly melt away by this charming sequel and its pitch-perfect lead, Emily Blunt, who brings a twinkle in the eye, a dash of delicious smugness, and a spoonful of cheekiness to the role that she completely makes her own.
After opening with Lin-Manuel Miranda (because, who else?) as this films de facto Dick Van Dyke character as the singing, street-lighting, Jack, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael’s children through a difficult time in their lives. After winning over audiences with his smash hit Broadway show “Hamilton,” it was only a matter of time before studios came calling. There is no better fit for his talents than this musical tentpole.
This movie is a love letter to 1960’s era Disney, masterfully crafted by director Rob Marshall (“Chicago,” “Into The Woods”). From the oil painted overture and opening credits to the animated sequence at the midway point (that finally brings back the classic Disney animation style, complete with scary villains), if there is a better helmer for material like this in the current crop of filmmakers, I can’t think of one.
The soundtrack by composer Marc Shaiman (“Hairspray,” “South Park”) and lyricist Scott Wittman (“Hairspray,” “Smash”) is memorable and dare I say, infectious. I’ve never been much of a fan of musicals. Just not my cup of tea. But my stubbornness quickly faded away at this wonderful collection of songs. The original film’s tunes by the Sherman Brothers are some of the most loved in film history. Talk about a mammoth task for these two men to accomplish with the new material. They deliver with a collection of musical numbers that I can only imagine will be honored come awards season (ignore the ridiculous lack of love from the Golden Globes).
The question on everyone’s mind when going to see “Mary Poppins Returns,” though, is “how is the new Mary Poppins?” Emily Blunt is – and forgive me for this – practically perfect in every way. She completely makes the role her own while adding a few touches to the character. She is this generations Poppins and absolute magic in the role.
The set pieces are a lot of fun, with the world’s most amazing bath time (set to the song “Can You Imagine That”) along with the big band jazz-infused “Turning Turtle” that features a wacky, gypsy-inspired cameo by the wonderful Meryl Streep.
The best moments are the quieter ones, like the sweet “A Conversation” where the grown Michael Banks character, played by Ben Whishaw (Q from the new James Bond films), pines for his deceased wife and mother of his three children. The themes of loss and nostalgia keep the film grounded and give it purpose.
Blunt may be practically perfect, but the film is not without a couple of stumbles. The cabaret-style inspired number “A Cover Is Not the Book” feels a bit like director Marshall is trying to shoehorn a bit of his “Chicago” past into the picture, and the BMX bike chase (I guess in this universe they have BMX bikes in 1930’s London?) during the bombastic “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” is a bit over the top and feels more at home in a 1980’s Spielberg picture. Some fans of the magical nanny and the original books might also not be able to get over the fact that author P. L. Travers, who so disliked the original film, refused to license her property to Disney for several proposed sequels over the years until her death in 1996. Wherever she is, I hope she takes solace in the fact that the film is good.
Speaking of the original film, Julie Andrews does not appear in the film and that is just as well. While Mrs. Andrews is a treasure, her presence would be a distraction and unfair to Ms. Blunt, who owns this picture. There are a couple of other cameo’s which are nice to see, but not entirely necessary and obviously intended for the older crowd. This cast stands on its own and doesn’t require the fan service.
In a decade that has seen a massive comeback by the Hollywood musical, Mary Poppins has returned to take back the crown of family sing-a-longs. When the security guy at the press screening is smiling the entire time you know Disney is on to something. It is the practically perfect holiday movie. -JBP
Mary Poppins Returns lands in theaters December 19th. You can follow this movie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Purchase the “Mary Poppins Returns” soundtrack here!
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