Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Mary Poppins Returns may not have the same magic of the original, but every bit of effort is made to escape its shadow. Such as a highly sarcastic Mary Poppins.
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| Director(s) | Rob Marshall | |
| Written By | David Magee | |
| Date Released | 12/19/18 | |
| Genre(s) | Musical, Family, Comedy | |
| Good If You Like | Sequels Which Feel Like Reboots
Sarcasm Music Made To Have Longevity Than Be Catchy, Instant Hits A Slightly Darker Mary Poppins Tale |
|
| Noted Cast | ||
| Michael | Ben Whishaw | |
| Jane | Emily Mortimer | |
| Anabel | Pixie Davies | |
| John | Nathanael Saleh | |
| Georgie | Joel Dawson | |
| Mary Poppins | Emily Blunt | |
| Jack | Lin-Manuel Miranda | |
| Mr. Wilkins | Colin Firth | |
| Mr. Dawes Jr. | Dick Van Dyke | |
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Mary Poppins Returns‘ Plot (Ending on 2nd Page)
Many years have gone by and now the Banks children, Michael and Jane, are adults, their father has passed on and Michael has three kids. Said children, Anabel, John, and Georgie, thanks to their mother no longer being around for a year, well, they are slowly losing their childhood. This happens as Michael, who is starting to give up on his own dreams, and accepts the full weight of being an adult, learns he may lose the house. Thus, setting up the birthday storm that opens the door for Mary Poppins’ return.
Something which only Jane is really gung-ho about since Michael is looking at the issue of wage and the kids feel they can take care of themselves. However, as with the first movie, the magic and adventures Mary Poppins has with the children changes their perspective. With the bonus side effect of helping Michael with this repossession issue and maybe getting Jane a boyfriend.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Should we more so consider Mary Poppins an angel, with a bit too much pride, or a good witch who goes where the wind takes her?
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Highlights
It’s Quite Hilarious
If you are a lover of snide comments and sarcasm, the shock of what comes out of Mary Poppins mouth will last nearly the entire movie. For while Julie Andrews’ version did have a certain “I’m over this nonsense” attitude to her, like someone who is long in the tooth, Emily Blunt’s version takes it to the next level. For if it isn’t being slightly annoyed all her teachings to Michael and Jane didn’t stick, it is doing it all over again with Michael’s children. Almost pushing you to wonder if Mary Poppins gets through her tasks no longer with a spoonful of sugar but some Fukitall and a shot of vodka.
This Is The Kind Of Movie You’re Surprised Isn’t In 3D
This movie has a $130 million budget and it surely did not go to all to recreating the sets from the original. It went into the visual effects that, even with having some clue how they do the effects, it is hard to not be awestruck. For whether we’re talking about the effects used for “Can You Imagine That
” or “A Cover Is Not A Book
,” I’m sure many a child, and adult, would have to say “wow.” Also, I think many would be surprised there aren’t 3D showings since, in many of those animated scenes, it is like you are waiting to see that extra layer pop out. You know, to bring you under Mary Poppins spell deeper – before she gaslights you.
On The Fence
The Music May Grow On You
The songs of Mary Poppins Returns have the same issue as any sequel to a classic. Said issue being, you find yourself comparing their value to the original and thus you don’t give them a chance. Admittedly I did this and so, like others, I wanted to use the term “Forgettable” to describe them. Yet, as I remembered the visual effects used, then the dancing, the energy of the cast, slowly the lyrics popped into my head and I was off to YouTube to hear some of the songs once more.
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So, while still a bit disappointed these songs didn’t necessarily leave the big time impression of the original songs, that was then and this is now. In my mind, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman weren’t looking for Pop/Broadway songs you obsess over now and forget tomorrow. They are meant to take root and have you sing them randomly, weeks later, and have a slow and steady romance with. For these songs, I think, were more about crafting lessons and having longevity than simply being silly and playful.
The Sarcasm, Ego, and Gaslighting of Mary Poppins
Not everyone may appreciate Mary Poppins’ new attitude. From being vain in ways that make you wanna say, “You ain’t that damn cute” to her sarcasm (think Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka), Blunt’s Poppins is definitely her own. Which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, as I note, it makes her become hilarious as she says some awfully shady things. Yet, on the other, it makes you feel they modernized Mary Poppins into a slightly darker figure. One who is this sweet nanny who, yes, rolls her eyes and is over how long it takes people to get why she has appeared. Yet, rarely seems a bit jaded and willing to let children, like Michael’s, get into a bit of mischief to suit her goals and entertain her person.
Oh, and not to mention gaslighting them when it is over. Which isn’t going to be a big deal to many, but to take these kids on these wild adventures and then make it sound they are mad was strange. Especially considering the film makes it clear that while some, like Jack, don’t forget the magic of Mary Poppins, for reasons unknown, most adults do and are left believing it was but a dream.
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Overall: Positive (Worth Seeing) | Purchase, Rent, Get Tickets, or Merchandise On (Fandango/ Amazon
)
To truly enjoy and appreciate Mary Poppins Returns you have to set aside the original. For though this is a sequel, in many ways it more so feels like a reboot. One which takes the familiar names of characters but by no means tries to be exactly as you once knew. Mary Poppins Returns is arguably darker as the bank, for profit, tries to take the Banks family home. There are villains in the animated sequences and Mary Poppins herself seems more like a vain witch, who does good, than this angel who comes from the clouds.
Yet, even with that said, it is a really good time – hence the positive label. For like many of Disney’s 2-hour epics, you barely notice the time passing and have little to no reason to check your phone. And while, yes, the songs aren’t instant hits in your brain, it is because they pursue longevity over being a flash in the pan. Also, while Mary Poppins is definitely adapted for modern times, in terms of attitude and comedy, what would be the point of having a new actress as Mary Poppins if they were trying to mimic Julie Andrews? A new movie, possibly series, set decades later, calls for some freshening up. So, as long as you can appreciate some obligatory nods to the original, like the inclusion of Dick Van Dyke, but realize this movie wants to move past all that, you’ll like, perhaps love, Mary Poppins Returns.
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