Mary Poppins Returns

Last week on a Friday night, my family left the Fortress of Ineptitude to go see a movie we had collectively been most anxious to see for nearly a year. 

How anxious is demonstrated that we went out on a Friday night to see a movie. Most of our cinema excursions are usually for Saturday or Sunday matinees.  But we had a busy weekend ahead of us and we did not want to wait another day more to see Mary Poppins Returns.   

My wife Andrea has been a life long Disney fan and the original Mary Poppins is long time favorite live action Disney film. It was an affection passed along to our daughter Randie who as a toddler would dance along with the chimney sweeps during "Step In Time".  

For myself, I remember when I was a child we had an album of Disney music that included "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and ""Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"; we used to play that Disney album a lot when I was a little boy. 

Suffice to say, the original Mary Poppins holds a special place for the three of us. So naturally we have been most anxious to see how Mary Poppins Returns would look.  

For Randie and I, one big appeal for this new film was that Lin-Manuel Miranda would have a role. We've been big fans of Lin since he exploded on the scene with Hamilton and quite frankly, I just like the guy. I wish he could be my buddy, my pal. 

Well, enough about all that? What of the movie itself?

If I had to sum up Mary Poppins Returns with one word, that word would be "delightful". The movie captures the spirit of the original but is hardly a mere retread. The new film at times echoes key beats of the original but manages to still be it's own new thing as well.  

Emily Blunt in "practically perfect" in the role of Mary, effortlessly carrying on from the iconic portrayal by Julie Andrews in the first film. Blunt's Poppins does have a slightly more mischievous take as demonstrated in numbers like "Can You Imagine That?" and "A Cover is Not the Book".  

Our buddy and pal Lin-Manuel Miranda absolutely dazzles as Jack, the lamplighter, taking on the role in the film Dick Van Dyke had as Bert in the original movie. Lin has several opportunities to show off not just his considerable acting and singing skills but some really awesome dance moves, most particularly in "Trip a Little Light Fantastic".  And Lin sets the tone for Mary Poppins Returns perfectly, opening up the film with "(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky".    

Special kudos to Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and Joel Dawson  who play Michael Bank's children who are extraordinarily proficient; their reprise of "The Place Where Lost Things Go" late in the film is very moving.   

And speaking of moving, it was very heartwarming when Dick Van Dyke makes his appearance in the last act of the movie. Dick is 93 years old but still up for a little song and dance (on top of a desk, no less).   

If there is any criticism of Mary Poppins Returns, it's the almost clockwork mirroring of story beats from the first movie but you know what, I don't care. Nostalgia is a strong fuel that powers this new movie but Mary Poppins Returns does enough new and differently to make it a worthwhile trip. 

Andrea, Randie and I are anxious to go see it again.