Mary Poppins Returns

Mary Poppins Returns, brought to the big screen Dec. 19th, is both a revival of an all-time favorite and something new. It is based on the other seven Mary Poppins books by P. L. Travers and is a sequel to the 1964 musical fantasy film Mary Poppins. Starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film is perfect for both children and adults and has earned about $114.5m in North America after only two weeks of release.

Set in London about 25 years after the events in the original film, Mary Poppins returns to Cherry Tree Lane to take care of the three children of now grown-up Michael Banks. Michael’s wife died recently and he is having trouble taking care and providing for the children on his own. His sister Jane comes over frequently to help, but the family still has barely any money to survive. This sad tone changes when Mary Poppins comes flying in with the wind, determined to set everything right once again. From then on the movie is very comical and kept the audience’s attention at all times. There are many great new songs, performed by an array of characters: Mary Poppins, Jack the lamplighter, Michael Banks and even the three children.

The acting and singing is excellent, and the scenery is very beautiful.

There are also special appearances by Dick van Dyke and Meryl Streep. Dick Van Dyke was excited when he heard about the sequel to Mary Poppins being made and wanted to play Mr. Dawes Jr. The 93 year-old Van Dyke had a very youthful spirit and did all of his own stunts, including jumping up and dancing on a desk.

Meryl Streep plays the character of Topsy, a distant cousin of Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins goes to see her cousin with the three children to fix an old broken bowl. This scene is similar to the original Mary Poppins in which Mary takes Jane and Michael to go see Uncle Albert, whose laughing raises them all to the ceiling of his house. However, in this new adaptation of the old scene, the room turns upside down instead. Meryl Streep also sings an original song.

The movie resembles the original Mary Poppins movie, but also puts a newer twist on older elements and scenes of the movie. Both the scenes and songs are new but have a visible connection or resemblance to the older version. An animated segment is included in the film, in which Mary Poppins, Jack, and the three children all enter a magical vase and attend a circus. The scene is different than the horse race that they attend in the first film but includes things such as the four dancing penguins. Also, at the end of the movie, instead of the whole neighborhood flying kites, they all float up into the sky while holding balloons. The scene is a direct reference and connection to the original kite scene, but altered as to make it even more interesting and appealing.

The movie has obviously been carefully thought out and wonderfully executed, and should be enjoyed by everyone; both old and young. Mary Poppins Returns is “practically perfect in every way”.