MARY POPPINS RETURNS channels the enchantment and excitement of the original classic film, for an entirely new generation to experience…”
Kathy Kaiser, Matinee Chat
MARY POPPINS RETURNS – Rated PG – 2 hrs. 10 mins – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall
WRITERS: David Magee, Rob Marshall, John DeLuca – Based upon the Mary Poppins stories by P.L. Travers
STARRING: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, Joel Dawson, Julie Walters, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury and David Warner
As we meet Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) Banks, they are now all grown up and facing adult problems in their lives, that no one really wants to face. When Michael’s three beautiful children decide to adventure out, as a way to get away from their own dismays…it seems that Michael and Jane’s favorite Nanny, Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) has mysteriously arrived back into their lives, and with just the plan, to make everything that’s wrong, seem to turn out all right once again…
I give MARY POPPINS RETURNS a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN: Hesitant to see this film, as the original still has a special place in my heart, not only from numerous viewings in my own childhood, but during both of my daughter’s childhoods too ~ I ended up being rather enchanted by the whole experience of venturing back to the mystical and magical ways of Mary Poppins. Marshall did his upmost best to bring us a new film, with a deep rooted, reminiscent feel of the original classic. And even though the songs this time around, aren’t quite as memorable as those from our childhood, I still totally enjoyed the delightful singing and dancing this time around, the whole way through too! And, even though I’m not sure that anyone could ever outdo Andrews in her signature role as Mary Poppins, Blunt’s portrayal does channel the essence of Mary Poppins from days gone by, while she also manages to bring her own fresh, vibrant, and quite captivating spin, to this iconic role. Miranda’s portrayal this time around was quite enchanting as well, as he too had some really big shoes to fill, to even come close to Van Dykes portrayal in the original 1964 film. I also thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this storyline ~ as even as adults ~ we sometimes need a little “helping hand” to assure us that everything is going to be all right…even when it seems that our lives, and the lives of our children, are in total shambles! I was also blown away by the fascinating way that roles throughout this film were created for some of our old friends from the original film, but ingeniously as new and memorable characters, perfectly crafted for this new storyline. I also enjoyed seeing Firth in this remake, playing a nasty and not too nice fella, plus having Meryl Streep finally sing her way into my heart was thus exciting to say the least, as her past singing roles thus far for me, just haven’t truly been my cup of tea…
And then, when you add in the portrayals by Davies, Saleh and Dawson, as the three charming children into this remake, you have the perfect formula that brings the same captivating charm of the original film, to this beautifully crafted remake. I was so enchanted every step of the way throughout MARY POPPINS RETURNS, that I am suggesting that you make a point to see this film, on a big screen near you, with your entire family in tow…so that its enchantment, and mystical, magical power, can refresh and touch your souls as well, just like it did for me…
Kathy Kaiser
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 