Just 2 weeks ago I saw Mary Poppins Returns for the first time. We got to see our sneak peek at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre which was an incredible theater to see it in – and after we got to stay for a Q&A with the cast and crew that was moderated by James Corden. I also got to see the movie for a second time when we attended the world premiere. So I’ve seen the movie twice and let me tell you – I can’t wait to see it 10 more times. It’s amazing and magical and practically perfect in every way. (Yes, I had to say it!)
About Mary Poppins Returns
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 original Mary Poppins premiered in 1964! It was one of the first Disney movies that I ever saw and I’m sure it’s one of the first movies that many people have seen. It was so magical and original. Would a second Mary Poppins live up to the original? For me, the answer is a huge YES! For over 2 hours, I was completely transported into the “simply sensational, standing-ovational” world of Mary Poppins!
Mary Poppins
First, let’s talk about Mary Poppins herself. Julie Andrews is truly amazing but so is Emily Blunt. I’ve always loved her but seeing her play Mary Poppins put her on a whole new level for me. To me, she IS Mary Poppins. She doesn’t replace Julie Andrews but is a perfect compliment to her! When creating Mary Poppins Returns, they took a lot of material from the EIGHT Mary Poppins books that P. L. Travers wrote so they were able to add even more quirks and mannerisms to Mary Poppins character that comes from the books.
Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to the Banks’ home in Disney’s original musical, MARY POPPINS RETURNS, a sequel to the 1964 MARY POPPINS which takes audiences on an entirely new adventure with the practically perfect nanny and the Banks family.
Read my interview with Emily Blunt for Mary Poppins Returns!
The Music
The music in Mary Poppins Returns is amazing! The Mary Poppins Returns soundtrack was just released last Friday and I’ve been listening to it non-stop. My kids love it also. It’s hard for me to pick what my favorite song is – it might be Underneath The Lovely London Sky which is sang by Lin Manuel-Miranda or it may be Trip A Little Light Fantastic. Or maybe A Cover Is Not The Book….or Can You Imagine That? There’s just TOO many good songs. Composers Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman did an amazing job and creating a soundtrack that is reminiscent of the original Mary Poppins and also making it so enjoyable for people of all ages.
Visually Stunning
Even in this day and age, I love the combination of animation and live action in the original Mary Poppins. But Mary Poppins Returns is so visually stunning. You’re transported right back to Cherry Tree Lane and the magical world of Mary Poppins. My favorite scene is where they again combine animation with live action but it’s taken a step further to look like they are painted characters. I can’t wait for you to see this scene!
Emily Blunt is Mary Poppins, Lin-Manuel Miranda is Jack, Pixie Davies is Annabel, Nathanael Saleh is John and Joel Dawson is Georgie in Disney’s MARY POPPINS RETURNS, a sequel to the 1964 MARY POPPINS, which takes audiences on an entirely new adventure with the practically perfect nanny and the Banks family.
The Cast
I already talked about how much I love Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins but the rest of the cast is amazing too. Rob Marshall as director did such a great job not only bring Mary Poppins to life again but also choosing this cast. Lin Manuel-Miranda is absolutely the perfect person to play Jack the lamplighter. Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer are enchanting as the older Michael and Jane Banks. The kids were so fun to watch also and did a great job at bringing innocence and play to the movie. Then of course there is Colin Firth, Meryl Streep and Dick Van Dyke! This is definitely an all-star cast.
Jane (Emily Mortimer), Michael (Ben Whishaw), John (Nathanael Saleh) and Georgie (Joel Dawson) greet Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) upon her return to the Banks’ home in Disney’s original musical MARY POPPINS RETURNS, a sequel to the 1964 MARY POPPINS which takes audiences on an entirely new adventure with the practically perfect nanny and the Banks family.
Mary Poppins Returns is in theaters on December 19th. This is the movie the world needs right now. It’s pure magic, whimsy and escapism. Don’t miss it and take your family to see it when it comes out!
Make sure to read about my experience at the Mary Poppins Returns premiere!
Mary Poppins Returns in Theaters December 19th
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.
Disclosure: Thanks so much to Disney for bringing me out to California for the event. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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