Mary Poppins Returns, mini movie review

Rating: B-

In 1964, over 50 years ago, magic happened.  Walt Disney released Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.  Everyone was charmed, it seemed, everyone except P.L. Travers, the author of the book in which Mary Poppins is based.  She didn't care how her vision was portrayed on screen.  Reading through her book I can see how she may have been disgruntled, seeing the changes, the change of tone, but still, even so, the screen version of Mary Poppins is a delight that's held up for decades.  I was enchanted with this movie as a child and still respect its masterpiece.

Now, in 2018, we find Mary again in Mary Poppins Returns.

The Bank children are grown.  Time has passed.  Yet there are still cherry trees down Cherry-Tree Lane, and at Number 17 Michael, a widow, is worried about losing his childhood home where he and his children reside.  Jane often comes to visit. The 1930 Great Slump, what we call The Great Depression, has begun.  Many are suffering.  Many are scared.  Michael's so lost in worry he's lost the magic he once knew.

Mary Poppins comes to save the Banks, and with her she's brought magic and light.

Watching Mary Poppins Returns it's hard not to compare this new movie with its original.  It's a good movie.  A fun movie.  There's heart.  I might have cried a time or two.  This new movie wants you to remember the original.  Truly, if you have children who haven't seen the first, show them that jewel before taking them to see Mary Poppins Returns, as the two movies are tied.

Though, the more I've thought of this movie, as I saw it a few weeks ago at a special screening for D23 members, there was a nagging feeling I couldn't shake.  What was bugging me?  Then I realized, what bothered me with Star Wars: The Force Awakens was bothering me with Mary Poppins Returns.  Though a sequel, this movie at times felt like a remake with scenes hearkening to the first.  And like Star Wars: A Hope vs. The Force Awakens, the formula between Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns are very similar.  Side walk chalk art vs the Royal Doulton Bowl.  Laughing gas vs Topsy-turvy.  (And I still wish that bowl had a proper resolution like in the book Mary Poppins Comes Back, because there's no further mention and that Topsy-turvy scene feels pointless by movies end, besides acting as a filler.)  Overall, Mary Poppins got the Star Wars treatment.  Safe.  Don't break what works.  Though I like this movie more than the latest Star Wars outings.  But it brings up the fact that Disney has a rehashing problem.  Everything seems to be rehashed these days.  They're losing their originality.

The music in Mary Poppins Returns is nice, though not up to the original.  The new music takes itself too seriously, no strong catchy choruses.  I'm not saying the music is bad as there's still some highlights.  In the first Mary Poppins the brilliance of the Sherman brothers shine.  They were genius.  While writing this review I've been listening to their music, admiring the simpleness of tune.  Strong phrases.  Chim-Chim-Cheri, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Feed the Birds, Jolly Holiday, Spoonful of Sugar, Let's Go Fly a Kite.  All I have to do is say those titles, and those titles are the song.  The whole of their song.  It's beautiful.  Mary Poppins Returns doesn't have the strength of those songs.

With all this said, Mary Poppins Returns is still a good movie and family film.

MPAA: Rated PG for some mild thematic elements and brief action.