Review of Mary Poppins Returns (2018) by Ean E — 07 Jan 2019

So many movies these days are unoriginal and uninspiring. In fact it is often the case that Hollywood seems to prefer a movie be produced that is part of a formula. Well this time they put down the recent formulas and decided to try one that used to work decades ago, the musical. There have been many good musicals in history, it seems that many think only animated ones will sell, these days. No so, as Mary Poppins Returns proves. The sets are simple and in fact reminiscent of from the original movie. And because of this simplicity, it would be easy to adopt this to the theater as well. I will admit the songs aren't as "catchy" as many of the originals, but that may be because of how many times I've seen the original. The singing was wonderful as was the choreography. The scene where the lamplighters were dancing with their ladders and bicycles was great.

I applaud Disney for not remaking Mary Poppins, but rather making a sequel. I think I might have resented a reboot. As this movie deals with the children of the children from the first movie, it allows it to tie in nicely, yet not be ruined by our nostalgia filter from the original.

When Mary first arrives, Jane Banks asks, "What brings you here after all this time?" To which, Mary Poppins replies, "The same thing that brought me the first time, I've come to look after the the Bank's children." Annabel asks, "Us?" Mary states, "Oh yes, you too." Yes, once again, Mary Poppins is here to save a family from the father, Michael Banks, the original bank's son down to his children all of whom have lost wife, mother, and in general their way.

This movie is a must see for children and for anyone who loves musicals in general. It's a return to cinematic innocence that should not remain lost. It pushes no agenda or political messages either. Well done, Disney.