Movie Review: #MaryPoppinsReturns

Mary Poppins Returns
Director: Rob Marshall
WritersDavid Magee (screenplay by), Rob Marshall (screen story by), & John DeLuca (screen story by)
Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw
MPAA Rating: PG
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Hashtag: #MaryPoppinsReturns

Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Mary Poppins, like so many others of my generation. We grew up watching this amazing magical woman who took us on adventures inside paintings and dancing on rooftops. She taught us how to be politer, that being kind goes a long way, and that if you sing to birds, they sing with you. I used to watch that movie almost every day, sometimes more than once a day. So, imagine my excitement when I was asked to assist the screening for Mary Poppins Returns and write a review about it. I didn’t even blink when I said yes.

I won’t lie, I did not have many expectations for it, I wanted to remain neutral just in case. You know how it is, they make a part two (or reboot) and they change a bunch of things or make it feel like it’s not really part of the same world as part one was. So, I decided to remain neutral and just see how it went. It was great being back in the Banks home and seeing Jane and Michael grown up (the actors really do look like the adult version of the kids we saw in the original Mary Poppins movie many moons ago), but seeing Emily Blunt fly in on a kite (the one Michael had flown as a kid with his dad) dressed as Mary Poppins put a big smile on my face for she looked the part so much it didn’t even feel like it was a different actress. Then she walks into the same house she had done in the first movie and starts to check the dust on the furniture and give everyone a very judging look. At this, I was transported back to being an eight-year-old child and I couldn’t hide my excitement for the rest of the movie. It really felt like a continuation of the original story; it didn’t feel forced or like they tried too hard. It was flawless.

Let me start with Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins. I absolutely love Emily, and I have done so for many years. When I heard she was John Krasinski’s wife, I knew she had to be someone awesome to be married to such an awesome man (back then I knew more about him than her). Then I’ve seen her in several movies and interviews of her, and I fell more in love. Now she played one of the most iconic and loved characters and she did it beautifully and perfectly. She really captured Julie Andrews’ essence and put some of her own into the loved nanny. It made my little heart so happy every time she said “Pish Posh”. I wouldn’t mind a part three with her and just show us another family. Just please bring her back! 

Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Jack, who is supposed to be one of the kids that helped Bert clean chimneys. He remembers Mary Poppins and is who takes over the role of the friend of Mary’s who sort of tells the children about Mary Poppins and to not question her much. His role was of a sweet man who was caring and nice to the kids, but is also who steals the show about halfway through the movie with a whole solo song and dance that was just funny and stupendous. The beloved penguins from the first movie come out during his song and are as adorable as ever. I also like that they had him be a little flirty with Jane. 

Then there’s a spectacular appearance by Meryl Streep and another surprise (don’t want to spoil it). I love Meryl Streep too and she did a great job and her song is one of the most fun in the movie. Colin Firth as a bad guy is one of my favorite things for I feel he does it so well. He captures you with his charm and charisma then stabs you in the back in the most elegant way.

I loved all the attention to detail they put into the movie: Emily Blunt wears the same apron Julie Andrews did, their attire when they go into the porcelain bowl: their clothes looked as if painted and when they walked you would hear as if they were tapping on porcelain for real, the choreography towards the end was awesome, I really loved it.

In conclusion, I absolutely loved the movie and I would highly recommend it to every one of every age, especially if you grew up watching the original. As per usual, there are some critics out there hating on the movie, but that’s what I call a muggle. Hope you guys go watch it and enjoy it as much as I did.