Mary Poppins Returns is a Delight for the Whole Family!

Mary Poppins Returns is out now in theaters & it is such a delightful movie! Emily Blunt’s take as Mary Poppins is fresh & so on point as it relates to the books.

I know a lot of people may go into the movie comparing the Julie Andrews version of Mary Poppins to Emily Blunt’s. In fact, I watched the original Mary Poppins the day before I screened this film. However I prefer Emily’s curt & sometimes cheeky version better. The storyline, as well as this version of “Mary” is cobbled together from the P.L. Travers book series. She’s not so saccharine sweet as the original version.

There are some holdovers though from the first movie, namely Dick Van Dyke, who returns in such an iconic way that you’ll have to see the movie to believe it!

It’s during his scenes (and a few other key moments) that made me glad that I watched the first movie prior to seeing this sequel. Is it totally necessary? Maybe not, as I’m sure a lot of young kids will see Mary Poppins Returns without seeing the first film. However, I do think it enhances the experience, so that when you hear certain lines, you’ll get the inside joke.

In Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” an all new original musical and sequel, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives following a personal loss. Emily Blunt stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any ordinary task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London.

The film also stars Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and introducing Joel Dawson as the Banks’ children, with Colin Firth as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy.

The film takes place in 1930s Depression-era London & when Mary Poppins comes back, she just breathes fresh air back into the Banks’ family life. There’s one song in the movie, “The Place Where Lost Things Go” that Mary Poppins sings in the beginning of the movie and then the Banks children repeat it towards the end that had me tearing up. I felt like the themes of losing a parent & financial instability were relatable.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a awesome as always. His playful turn as a lamplighter has you rooting for him & there may or may not be something more in his friendship with Jane Banks. 😉

Honestly by the time we get to Angela Lansbury, I was so teary-eyed with happiness. How can you resist this woman with a balloon?

To celebrate Mary Poppins Returns, I’ve got a FREE printable Activity Packet for kids of all ages to enjoy! Click here to download the 14 page activity packet, filled with coloring pages, bookmarks & games.

Overall the movie is great & something that the whole family can enjoy during the winter holiday. Mary Poppins Returns message of hope & persistence is just what we need during this stressful time in the world. Emily Blunt is a gem of an actress, super talented & deserves all the awards during this upcoming award season!

“Mary Poppins Returns” is open now in theaters everywhere.
Visit the official “Mary Poppins Returns” website here for more information.
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Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I attended an advanced screening of the movie which helped facilitate this review. Images used with permission from Walt Disney Animation Studios. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.