Did you grow up watching the 1964 version of Mary Poppins, either as a kid, parent, or grandparent? I did! As the proud grandpa of two little ones, I most likely watched the original some twenty or thirty times!
Today I still find myself singing the great classics from the movie: A Spoonful of Sugar, Let's Go Fly a Kite, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, Chim-Chim-Cheree, and more!
A few more comments on the original. To me, it was a masterpiece. Julie Andrews was perfect, and Dick Van Dyke was close, in spite of his strange American/Cockney accent! The song and dance numbers were exquisite. The cartoons were innovative. The themes were delightful. Need I say more?
So, if you agree that the first Mary Poppins was great, you can understand how daunting a task it is to follow perfection.
Yet, the new film comes close, that is, to most viewers.
Emily Blunt is a truly remarkable Mary. She approaches Julie Andrews: She has the same impish grin, the same charm, the same magic, the same beauty....in fact, she is a shoo-in for a Best Actress nomination.
Similarly, Lin-Manuel Miranda is top-notch. How could he be otherwise? After all, he was the writer and principal actor of Hamilton, one of Broadway's biggest hits ever.
Don't forget about some fun cameos as well: Dick Van Dyke can still dance. Meryl Streep is her usual talented self. Angela Lansbury shows she's still got a lot of spunk.
The dances are beautifully costumed and choreographed. The songs, laden with positive messages of encouragement, will no doubt become classics some day. The story held our interest, and the pacing was excellent. Not a dull moment, in other words.
YET: Something was clearly lacking. The plotline, for one thing, was a tad dour. While in the original, Mr. Banks was a bit grumpy, our current Mr. Banks is downright unlikable. Worse, the kids stand to lose their home if Mary Poppins does not turn things around. Disney likes to scare kids, I think, but it's tough to laugh and smile when a family could end up in the streets.
What else was lacking? Charming characters, I'd say. There was no Glynis Johns, playing the wacky Mrs. Banks, no Arthur Treacher playing the well-meaning cop, no Ed Wynn drinking tea on the ceiling. Truth to tell, there was no Julie Andrews carrying the film.
But hey, we can't always turn back the clock. Many film viewers want new, not old.
Guess I'm a bit too nostalgic to really laud this film. I will leave that to others, because the production, to them, is no doubt worthy.
Bottom line: It's a toss-up. Please see the film and let us know what you think.
I agree with you completely: You ARE "too nostalgic to really laud this film." Haha. Comparisons are inevitable, but they can be a trap and a diversion from assessing a film on its own merits. You offer multiple paragraphs on this film's excellence, then conclude "a toss-up." Hmmm. Seeing the original 20-30 times will do that. I suppose I will be the same when the new version of West Side Story comes out soon. (ala Spielberg!) I probably actually watched the original M.P. once. Pleasant. As for this one, I will say that I enjoyed every second of it! Smiled throughout. Loved the dance numbers. Made me forget the state of our country for a couple of hours. And did anyone really doubt that Mary Poppins would save the day in the end? I also appreciated that this filmed seemed so affectionate toward the original; many songs were in the same musical style (even used some actual bars), yet were original. I would have been appalled if they'd simply copied "Let's go fly a kite." Thought I would die with love to see Dick Van Dyke's contribution. Anyway, Mr. Siskel (or is it Mr. Ebert?), I loved it!
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie: You are SO correct! Sometimes if we're too passionate about an original, we just don't give the sequel a chance. I would predict that once I've viewed the new MP about twenty times I will love it as much. As for WSS, the 1961 version is also one of my favorites. Hard to see anyone being Maria as well as Natalie Wood, or anyone following in Richard Beymer's steps. Remember the dancing of George Chakiris, Rita Moreno, and Russ Tamblyn? Oh my, were they something! Here's a thought: When the new WSS comes out, let's see it together...then we can rant and rave over coffee afterward! If I'm Siskel, you must be Ebert. Haha.
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