In 1934 P.L. Travers published a children's book about a magical nanny named Mary Poppins. Thirty years later Disney brought her to life in the feature film Mary Poppins starring Julia Andrews (The Sound of Music). After fifty-four years, Disney once again decided to revisit the beloved character when Mary Poppins Returns hit theaters last year. The "reimagined" classic starred Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) as the lead and brought a new story and music to fans. Helmed by the brilliant Rob Marshall (Into The Woods), the film brings all the grandeur of a Broadway musical to the big screen.
Michael (Ben Whishaw; Spectre) and Jane (Emily Mortimer; Transsiberian) Banks are all grown up and Michael has children of his own. They live at the childhood home at 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Unfortunately, Michael took out a loan on the house and forgot to pay it back since his beloved wife died. Now the Bank run by Mr. Wilkins (Colin Firth; The King's Speech) wants to take the house and kick Michael and his children out on the street. Just when things seemed hopeless, a familiar being floated in from the sky. Mary Poppins had returned to the Banks' home to help Michael, Jane, and Michael's children.
Bringing with her the wonder and joy and magic she was known for, Mary set out to teach Michael's three children to enjoy their childhood - something they didn't know before. Mary Poppins brought them to the china bowl and to her cousin - Topsy Turvey (Meryl Streep; The Devil Wears Prada) and opened their eyes to all the exciting and fun things in life. Along the way, she magically helps Michael find the banknote showing numerous shares that the original Mr. Banks had invested and which would now be able to get Michael out of debt and save his house.
Taking on the role of Mary Poppins is practically a suicide mission for any actress. Julie Andrews is a very tough act to follow and it is inevitable that anyone who took the role would be compared to her as she originated the lead character back in 1964. Blunt holds her own as the magical nanny but, for me at least, no one could replace Andrews. Blunt brings a sternness and mischievous air about her that pretty much matches Andrews but even though she has a lovely singing voice, Blunt can't meet Andrews vocally.
Whipsaw and Mortimer are well cast and Lin-Manuel Miranda as the lamplighter, Jack, brings a Broadway sensibility to the movie that is especially handy in the big dance and song numbers. The three children are played well by Pixie Davis (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children), Nathanael Saleh (Game of Thrones), and Newcomer Joel Dawson but the cameos are the real treat. Streep, Julie Walters (Mamma Mia), and Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote) add a wonderful mature element but the most spectacular scene is when Dick Van Dick (Mary Poppins) enters the room.
The 2160p video quality is spectacular with every detail well-defined and every color popping off the screen. The blacks are deep and true with little grain to be found and the plethora of colors give the film a wonderful richness. The Dolby Atmos audio is magnificent and the incredible orchestration of the soundtrack flows through the speakers like water flowing seamlessly from a spout. The Blu-ray has several extras including Sing-Along Mode, Back to Cherry Tree Lane: Dick Van Dyke Returns, Practically Perfect Bloopers, "Seeing Things from a Different Point of View": The Musical Numbers of Mary Poppins Returns, "Trip A Little Light Fantastic", "The Royal Doulton Music Hall"/"A Cover Is Not the Book", "Turning Turtle" "Can You Imagine That?", Deleted Song - "The Anthropomorphic Zoo", The Practically Perfect Making of Mary Poppins Returns, and Deleted Scenes. While all of them are interesting the piece with Dick Van Dyke returning to Cherry Tree Lane is heartwarming and wonderful.
Mary Poppins Returns can't compare to the original but it has elaborate musical numbers, a solid story, and a well-rounded cast. If you were a fan of the original then you won't be quite enthralled with this second attempt but it is a solid entry into the world of Mary Poppins.
Grade: B
