A
visually impressive sequel to the 1964 classic, Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins
Returns is a welcome revisit to some of the original characters and
features a top ‘flight’ performance by
Emily Blunt and directed
lovingly by Rob Marshall (Chicago).
In
depression era England, the Banks children, Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane
(Emily Mortimer) are now grown, and Michael and his children are dealing with
personal loss and also the threat of losing their home. Enter
the ethereal nanny, Mary Poppins (Blunt), who arrives to care for the children
and reunite with her grown charges. Aided by lamplighter pal Jack
(Lin-Manuel Miranda), Mary accompanies the kids on adventures including a
magical bowl (with some familiar penguins), a bathtub trip unlike any other,
and a race literally against time to save their home.
Marc Shaiman and Scott
Wittman (Hairspray) deserve credit
for a marvelous score and songs that seem as if composed simultaneously as the
original. Blunt’s vocal range may not match the original’s
Julie Andrews, but it is perfectly sublime. Excelling in virtually every film genre, she is perhaps the most
versatile actress in movies today.
While
the novelty of the original’s groundbreaking live action/animation has worn
off, the magic is still there (and some imaginative visual effects) with its
themes about memories, family, and believing the impossible. (“Trip the Light Fantastic” is a terrific
sequence, an homage to the original’s “Step
in Time”, but unnecessarily long, and Meryl Streep’s brief turn as a wacky
cousin seems superfluous.) There are two wonderful cameos in the closing scenes
that raise the film to euphoric heights.
This film will
resonate particularly with adults (as much as children) who grew up with fond
memories of the original especially in the rousing finale. A
gem.
**** of
****stars (for fans of the original)
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