Mary Poppins Returns Review

Disney’s version of Mary Poppins is one of their most beloved family films that has pleased generations. The songs are well known and the film has been spoofed countless times. After 54 years Disney has released a sequel.

It has been 20 years since Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) looked after the Banks children and Britain is suffering from the Great Stump (Great Depression). Michael (Ben Whishaw) is now a widower with three children and is about to lose his home. As Michael and his sister, Jane (Emily Mortimer) search for their bank shares certificate, Michael’s children meet Mary Poppins who promises work as a nanny again.

Mary Poppins was a revered classic, even people who have never seen the film know some of the songs and would recognise the title character. However, as someone who watched the film as an adult it does have one major promise: there is barely any plot. It was just a series of events. Mary Poppins Returns is an improvement on that front. There is a drive, the family has a limited amount of time to raise the money to save their family home. Everything that happens in the film, even the flights of fancy, serve a purpose.

Mary Poppins Returns is a film made with love for the original and the writers and filmmakers wanted to honour it. There are lots of references and call-backs to the original from little jokes like Mary Poppins sliding up the stairs in the background to more serious plot points involving the Mr Banks’ legacy and the kite. Director Rob Marshall insisted that the film use hand-drawn animation for the Doulton Bowl sequence and it is a fantastic homage to adventure in Bert’s drawing. There was some CGI in the sequence but that’s because of technological advances. The “Trip a Little Light Fantastic” dance sequence was basically a repeat of the Chimney Sweep dance.

Mary Poppins Returns‘ biggest weakest compared to the original is the songs. Mary Poppins Returns‘ songs aren’t bad, but they are not as memorable. The best song came at the end because it was such a feel-good song that will leave audiences smiling. Other songs like “A Conversation” and “The Place Where Lost Things Go” are more tender and reflective especially “A Conversation” as Michael deals with his grief and financial problems. “A Cover is Not the Book” and “Turning Turtle” both continue events within the film.

There are some changes from the original film. The original was filmed on a studio in Los Angeles despite it was set in London. The sequel was filmed in England, filming in London and Shepperton Studios. The scenes in London are shot on location which makes scenes in the real world less wacky like the inside of the Banks house. Mary Poppins Returns shows that there are blurred lines between fantasy and reality – characters question whether the fantasy worlds they visited were real and at the end of one song an adult sees things differently to the children.

Emily Blunt’s version of Mary Poppins is sterner that Julie Andrews’ and her dress scene is more prim and proper. Despite being steely faced around the children she lets off a cheeky smile. She is able to make the role her own. She is surrounded by a fine cast. Whishaw has the more dramatic role due to being pushed to the limit. It was fun to see Emily Mortimer getting a role in a big family film and she has a subplot with Lin-Manuel Miranda who was basically in the Dick Van Dyke role. Dick Van Dyke has a cameo and despite being 93 he still got some moves.

Mary Poppins Returns was clearly made by people who loved the original film and in some areas they actual improvements. It is an inoffensive family film that fans of the original film should appreciate.