Mary Poppins Returns
Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Rated: PG
It’s a jolly holiday with Mary and this holiday season Mary Poppins has returned for another jolly good time!
Mary Poppins Returns is a sequel to the iconic 1964 film. In the sequel, Mary returns to take care of Michael Banks’ children after they’ve lost their mother. Although she seems to be show up to nanny the children, Mary’s latest appearance may be to take care of Michael and Jane as well.
While Mary Poppins Returns is technically a sequel, it feels a bit more like a reboot more than anything. Almost every aspect is the same as the original film, most notably the characters. Michael (Ben Whishaw) steps into the role of his father, George Banks. Jane (Emily Mortimer) follows in the footsteps of her politically active mother. Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) is basically Burt, except he’s a lamplighter instead of a chimney sweep. Even Meryl Streep gets in on the action playing Mary’s cousin Topsy, who is basically a replacement for her Uncle Albert.
Although the film is incredibly similar to the original, there’s no denying it’s a feel good time that leaves you with a smile.
Making a sequel (or reboot depending on how you look at it) to Mary Poppins is a massive task. So who was willing to take that on? Rob Marshall, director of Chicago and, more recently, Into the Woods was up to the challenge. If there’s anything Marshall excels in, it’s creating a spectacle! There are so many scenes in Mary Poppins Returns that are visually stunning. There’s an interesting visual juxtaposition of a cold and grey world without Mary Poppins that quickly changes to a joyful world full of color when she flies into London. One animated/live action sequence stands out as some of the most creative filmmaking I’ve seen this year. It certainly pays tribute to the original wonderfully. (Don’t worry, the penguins make an appearance!) Marshall’s signature style is really felt in the film’s musical numbers and choreography. Chicago fans will instantly recognize his handiwork in the jazzy number, “The Cover is not the Book”. Another stand out number, “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” (clearly this versions’, “Step In Time”) is a 7-minute scene boasting a huge cast of lamplighters performing impressive choreography. While I’ve heard some people claim Mary Poppin’s Returns doesn’t have “memorable” songs, I did not find that to be the case. I loved the numbers and found them to be incredibly charming!
While the musical numbers are charming and fun. There are some screenplay issues that take away from the movie and musical magic. The core story surrounding the film involves the Banks family grieving the loss of their mother AND having their home repossessed by the bank. That, in itself, is enough conflict for one movie. Halfway through, a twist is thrown in and we get a random villain! I’m not sure why it’s necessary and the person’s motives are never explained. The entire time the film cuts to this villain, it feels like the movie loses a ton of steam. The scenes drag because the character feels so one-dimensional. I want to see Mary Poppins interacting with the Banks family, not this random guy with no explained character motivation!
Emily Blunt is fantastic as the iconic beloved nanny. The moment she flies on screen, she steals the show. Blunt captures many of Julie Andrews mannerisms that make up the character. Her connection with each character is magnetic. Mary brings out the best in them by encouraging each individual to embrace their sense of joy and imagination.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is also excellent as Jack, the lamplighter. He and Emily Blunt bring a wonderful lighthearted chemistry to their characters that makes the film incredibly charming. It’s clear Miranda has a Broadway background because he’s so good in all of the musical scenes. He has an infectious energy that radiates through the screen, especially in the “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” number.
All that being said, the film suffers when dealing with Michael Banks’ characterization. It’s as though the filmmakers wanted to make this film so much like the original Mary Poppins that they made Michael EXACTLY like his father, George Banks. The problem is, that makes no sense to the plot. Michael gets frustrated and scolds his children when they talk of seeing magical things with Mary Poppins. How does that make sense? He had Mary Poppins as a nanny and saw the same things as a child! His character can be a bit frustrating.
Thankfully, his on-screen children do not share his frustrating traits. They are played charmingly by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, and Joel Dawson as Annabelle, John, and Georgie. Each child has a unique individual personality and shines throughout the film.
Let’s give a shoutout to Sandy Powell, the costume designer on the film. Some of the costumes look identical to the 1964 film and others are fun new looks! They fit in with the Depression-Era London time frame of the film, yet there’s a whimsical flair for many of them. This is Mary Poppins, of course! It should be noted that Sandy Powell also designed the costumes on The Favourite and is generally just winning at costume design in Hollywood.
We have all grown up with the original Mary Poppins. It’s a classic with iconic songs, scenes, and performances. It would be impossible to top a film of its caliber. While Mary Poppins Returns has some story issues, it’s good to see everyone’s favorite magical nanny helping the Banks children again. This is a feel good family film that is sure to leave you smiling.
My Rating: 7/10