Review of Mary Poppins (1964) by Tyler M — 02 Mar 2012
Review #200 goes to a very special movie.
George Banks (David Tomlinson) is cold and apathetic to his two kids, Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber). He and the Mrs. (Glynis Johns) decide to hire a nanny for the kids. The magical Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) is hired, and with the help of her friend Bert (Dick Van Dyke) go on fantastic adventures all over London.
Mary Poppins is to me an absolutely perfect movie. I cannot honestly think of a single thing that I disliked from the movie.
The songs are flawless. Richard & Robert Sherman who also did The Jungle Book and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh's songs received double Oscars for the Score and the Song "Chim Chim Cher-ee." All the songs from "A Spoonful of Sugar" to "Step in Time" are all equally fun and charming and bouncy and easy to sing along too without ever being cheesy, too long or boring at all.
Julie Andrews is in one of the best performances in the history of film as the titular role that garnered her an Oscar. Dick Van Dyke and David Tomlinson also have stand-out, awards worthy performances to me. In fact, the whole cast is one of the best ensembles casts ever.
Lots of people say that Avatar's special effects are amazing. Screw Avatar! Mary Poppins is the real deal. The perfect blend of animation/live-action (which I love) in a number of scenes which involve Mary, Bert and the kids interact with animated characters and even have a horserace with animated competitors is nothing short of spectacular. It's also remarkable acting to be able to fake that an animated character or prop is there when it's not. The visual effects are so breathtaking that even almost 50 years after the film's release, I wonder how the heck they did that?
With great humor, wonderful performances throughout, fabulous music, revolutionary special effects and everything else in the movie spot-on, Mary Poppins is a movie that only comes around once in a blue moon. People will try to remake it in the future, but the original will always the best.
FINAL VERDICT: 100%.
This review of Mary Poppins (1964) was written by Tyler M on 02 Mar 2012.
Mary Poppins has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
