In what is the longest gap between (movie) sequels ever (54 years!!!) an enchanting Emily Blunt brings nostalgia to older audiences and delight to a younger generation as she sings, dances and captivates as the magical Nanny, Mary Poppins.
In 1935, during the “Great Slump” in London, Michael Banks (who is an adult now) has just recently lost his wife and is now in danger of losing his home, after taking a loan from the bank where he works in. With the help of his sister Jane and housekeeper Ellen they raise the (new) Banks children, John, Annabel and Georgie.
Mary Poppins returns during this difficult time for the family “to look after the Banks children” she says and clearly she means all of them, Michael and Jane included.
Much like in “Christopher Robin” Michael with dealing with his grief and loss and the overwhelming problem of losing his home and this has also transferred on to his own children. Michael has forgotten what its like to be a child and now his own children don’t get to enjoy being children themselves, with the additional responsibilities.
Through the film, Mary Poppins nudges the Banks just a little here and there to get them along, which I appreciated. She doesn’t so much as solve their problems for them but only reminds them that things aren’t as sad or tragic and that there’s always a bit of magic everywhere, even in one’s bath.
Let’s face it, its the same case for all of us, what will all the problems and troubles of the world. I’ve always loved the thought that adults “forget” what its like to have that childlike wonder (read Neil Gaiman’s “The Ocean at the end of the Lane”) as adults, we get caught up with work, bills, responsibilities, life in general that we don’t know how to have fun anymore. We bury ourselves in problems and troubles that we forget that a little imagination, a new perspective and looking for the light when we get lost can be all that we need.
Oh, also the very important lesson that time, among many other things is just a social construct, which is why, we need not lose our heads and go on panic mode as we adults tend to.
Emily Blunt is “practically perfect” as the eponymous umbrella carrying Nanny, in this whimsical sequel. The costumes, choreography and 2D Animation sequences are a delight.
The songs may not be as catchy as the ones the Sherman Brothers wrote in 1964 but there are a couple of gems, my favorite are “Can You Imagine That” and “A Cover Is Not A Book”.
Lin Manuel-Miranda does a good job with the songs, the singing and the dancing, I think that if you’re up against “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” you’re already in a bit of a pickle. The addition of a bit of a rap and some bike parkour is a nice way update the dance and musical numbers.
Its message that despite the arduous challenges of #adulting sometimes a child like perspective is all we need.
7/10 – Mary Poppins Returns is in PH cinemas January 8, 2019.