No. 2 (2019) Mary Poppins Returns. Jan 15th.

Film No 2 (2019) Jan. 15th.  11:10 AM  FENWICK CINEMA 3 Esperance W.A. 

"It's a good thing you came along when you did Mary Poppins". (Sweet Jack the lantern lighter reaffirms what Mary knows is true for sure).

So, how was a remake of Mary Poppins going to shape-up in 2018/19? Pretty well as it happens. Emily Blunt's take on the role Julie Andrews has owned for decades has an edginess which suits our era. Super nanny Mary lands via umbrella (that old fashioned idea hasn't changed) just in time to help Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) save the family home from mean banker Wilkins (Colin Firth, believe it or not). So the story is simple but there are moments of magic. Meryl Streep is a show-stealer as Mary's cousin Topsy, the return to old fashioned animation in a clever interpretation of images on a valuable china bowl will have you smiling. To top this off, at the ripe age of 92, Dick Van Dyke does his own stunts, priceless. So, 54 years on, what a great time for Julie's devotees to take their "grandies" to a remake worth its weight in sweeties and home-made kites. Blunt's talent is unending. 9GUMS.