I won’t lie, Mary Poppins was never one of my favourite Disney movies, but I have a strong affinity for Julie Andrews, so I’ve definitely seen it a bunch of times. When I heard they were remaking it, I was excited for my mother more than anyone else, because we used to watch it a lot together. I heard that Emily Blunt was in it and I thought it was apt… I heard Lin Manuel Miranda was in it, and I got very excited… And then I heard that Julie Andrews wouldn’t even be making a cameo and I was very upset. Safe to say, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster.
What is Mary Poppins Returns?
If you haven’t heard of Mary Poppins… Firstly, how?! Secondly, it’s an old movie starring Emily Blunt and Dick Van Dyke, in which a magical nanny moves in and helps a family through their tough times. In the current spirit of reviving anything and everything, Disney decided that it would be fun to reboot the Mary Poppins franchise once again. Cue grown up Michael and Jane (the kids from the first movie) navigating their own struggling family, and a magical nanny in the form of Emily Blunt who is ready to step in.
My Thoughts
I won’t lie, the trailer didn’t exactly sell me on the movie. In fact, if anything, it put me off a little bit. However, everybody said that the movie was good, so I ended up going in with complete blank expectations. Turns out, I absolutely love the movie. It’s wholesome family fun at its best, and I left the cinema with a big old smile on my face. Enjoy some thoughts that ran through my head:
1) July Walters is in this?!
I knew about Emily Blunt, Lin Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. However, no one told me that July Walters was in it! The second her name showed up in the opening credits my heart filled with joy. I love her in everything she does, and she did a great job as their maid.
2) Lin Manuel Miranda’s accent isn’t too bad…
Honestly, the small snippet that I heard in the trailer made me fear for Lin Manuel Miranda’s cockney accent. But, I was willing to let it go because he’s a musical genius (Feel free to read about my love for him here). Turns out, it was actually not that bad! Some may even say it was good…
3) WHERE IS DICK VAN DYKE.
I was promised a cameo. I know it will probably come later, but I am impatient and I want him NOW.
4) That little girl is so mature
Like I know that she’s supposed to be, but wow she’s a good actress. She’s basically an adult in a child’s body, what a sweetie! She definitely did the role justice. Also, all three of those children are so adorable.
5) So when does Mary Poppins actually get here…
Here I go again with the impatience.
6) WHY does Colin Firth have to be evil?
I only just started liking him again! He was incredibly badass in Kingsman and unbelievably loveable in Mamma Mia… Now he wants to be a villain in Mary Poppins Returns? PICK A SIDE COLIN. HOW DO YOU WANT ME TO FEEL.
7) They really managed to keep the essence of the first film
That china bowl scene, with everything being 2D apart from them was so reminiscent of the first film and I absolutely loved it. They did such a good job of being their own film but also retaining the magic of the original. 10/10 would recommend if you loved the first one.
8) SERIOUSLY. WHERE IS DICK VAN DYKE?
It has been over ONE WHOLE HOUR and he’s still not here yet. My patience is wearing thin.
9) Finally a chimney-sweep (But not chimney sweep) number
The one thing I was missing was a good old Dick Van Dyke chimney sweep number, and then there it was. There were bicycles, somersaults, a light show, Lin Manuel Miranda and a dedication to cockney rhyming slang – what more could I want? The luminaries did a fantastic job and the number was everything that I wanted it to be.
10) I swear I know the actor that plays Jane from somewhere…
I looked her up on IMDB when I left the cinema. Turns out I didn’t.
11) Emily Blunt is doing an amazing job
It takes a lot of courage to step into such an iconic role. Especially one that was previously held by Julie Andrews, a national treasure. She had big shoes to fill and she filled them so well. She – much like the movie – didn’t try to replicate the previous work, but made it her own while retaining the original essence. She really emulated Mary Poppins.
12) THERE’S DICK VAN DYKE!
I’d complain that it took him long enough, but I won’t because I’m too excited! Not only did he swoop in and save the day, but he even had a little bit of a dance. I can’t even begin to describe how much I grinned through this whole section.
And there you have it – my thoughts during Mary Poppins Returns! Have you seen it? Let me know if you relate in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
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Oh I have heard mixed opinions on this film, I really want to watch this! Thank you for sharing 🙂
No problem!
Jas xx
Believe it or not i have never ever seen this movie haha but now that Emily Blunt is the main character cant wait to watch it xx
Hope you enjoy(ed) it!
Jas xx
I loved reading this and I totally agree with you on most of them, I was getting impatient to see Dick Van Dyke’s scene too but it was definitely worth the wait and the ‘luminaries’ number was amazing I loved it all, definitely one of my favourite parts of the film!
Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
xx
Yeah, the luminaries moment was so great!
Jas xx
I’m like you! I’m not a huge fan of the original but I’ve heard some good things about this one. I had no idea about Julie Walters being in this one. Emily Blunt is amazing so I’m not surprised she managed to take on the role and make it her own. Glad you enjoyed it! I wasn’t going to bother with this one but you’ve changed my mind now ? x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Emily Blunt was purely fantastic! I’d recommend giving it a watch for her to be honest
Jas xx
Interesting post! I haven’t seen it yet & I’m not 100% I will in all honesty. The trailer also kind of put me off. Xxx
That’s fair haha
Jas xx
I never really cared for Mary Poppins either, but I’m glad it turned out to be a great movie! (I still don’t know if I’d go see it though…lol)
Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised!
Jas xx
Sounds like a fun movie 🙂
It was!
Jas xx
I’m not going to lie, I haven’t actually gone to see the movie because Emily Blunt annoyed me so much in the trailer! All I could think was how different she was to original Mary 🙁 I don’t know what it is but she just irritated me so much but I really do want to give it a chance and go and watch it as I LOVED Mary Poppins as a child. Would you believe that Jake hasn’t even seen the original? It sounds like it filled you with a lot of glee which I’m not surprised about but I’m also sad that Colin Firth is a bad guy? I LOVE HIM. I always think he looks like Piers Morgan so I’m like yep Piers is the evil twin and Colin is the nice one.
Alice Xx
She was actually pretty good! And I was shocked and Collin Firth playing a bad guy too. Honestly, shouldn’t have happened. Hope you’ve made Jake see the original one!
Jas xx
I love the original Mary Poppins, definitely a fave from my childhood. I was sceptical when I heard about this new film and have to admit that I’ve not seen it yet. However, my sister has and she said it was awful! But that goes against everything else I’ve seen/heard about it – everyone else seems to love it. Guess I need to find out for myself! Love how much you were sweating on Dick Van Dyke turning up ?
http://www.missblogsabit.com
I reaaaaaally wanted to see Dick Van Dyke and I’m mad that it took so long!
Jas xx
Great hearing your thoughts! I saw it this weekend and thought it was quite heartwarming! And I love Lin-Manuel Miranda
Yeah he did so well!
Jas xx
I’ve heard such mixed reviews on it, and even though I’m a big Disney fan I still haven’t gone to see it in the cinema! Might have to watch it this week so I can finally see what I think about it! x
G
https://www.teawithgi.com
Hope you saw it eventually!
Jas xx
I love this post! I hate to say that I didn’t enjoy the movie as much as I expected I would but relate to a lot of these thoughts. The children were actually much better actors than the Dad was, and Emily Blunt is always amazing.
Soph – https://sophhearts.com/ x
Thank you! Emily Blunt was so good!
Jas xx