After 54 years, the magical nanny returns in a movie that is so devoid of any of the elements of the original, that it should serve as a template on how NOT to make a sequel.
To be perfectly 'blunt' about it, Emily Blunt almost succedes at bringing the new Poppins up to Julie Andrews quality. She almost comes close, but it is obvious that she is trying TOO hard in the title role,and even though she gives it her best, she never emerge from Julie Andrew's shadow.
Lyn Manuel Miranda of 'Hamilton' fame is pleasant enough, as Jack the lamplighter,but he has no screen presence, and his Cockney accent is even worse than Dick Van Dykes.
25 years later the son of Mr Banks find out that his beloved house will be foreclosed,and his wife has also died, a 'dead parent theme that is too prevalent in Disney films. His sister, also following in mom's footsteps has become a socialist advocate for the working class laborers. While his son is out flying a kite, who should ' appear from out of he sky? None other than Mary Poppins herself and her talking umbrella.
After ingratiating herself into the family, we're of on some typical Poppins adventures.We go through the magic vase to the lamplighter's show, go into the bathtub for an overlong romp ln an animated sequence that looks like an outtake from 'The Little Mermaid', and take a ride on an animated horse carriage, and, yes, see the dancing penguins again.
Later, we are introduced to Topsy [Meryl Streep} in her upside down repair shop and hear her sing -i's awful-and the crazy neighborhood dementoid Captain Boom with the cannon and ship like structure on his roof. Two characters who probably escaped from the Bedlam looney bin.
There are songs, but none will stick in your head like the original Sherman Brothers tunes.You'll forget them about an hour after you leave the multiplex.
While I'm not a fan of the original, I must admit t outshines 'Returns' on every level.There is no heart, soul, or anything of substance. It can almost be called a'Poppins Tribute'., like cover bands that play other people's music.
This films feels like it was designed to evoke nostalgia to the now mostly ,middle aged women who say it back in'64. If they want to drag their children or grandchildren to see it, like my mother did, way back when,but they will be bored out of their gourds,and reach for their smartphones within ten minutes. For once, I'm with the kids on that. Film really isn't dull, it's just overlong, and the fantasy and music numbers just go on forever. Film itself is fairly good looking, and the 'Slump' of Depression era London has some grit to it, all in beautiful CGI.And don't miss Van Dvkes cameo as a dancing banker.At age 92, why even bother, but I guess they had to have some connection with the first one.
As long as Disney turns out misguided sequels that nobody asked for, and keeps remaking their cartoons as live action features, they'll just squander their once good name, and cheapen their brand. The magics gone. Another P.U. movie review from Lou.
Review of Mary Poppins Returns
