For the past 50 years or so, Mary Poppins has made some sort of re-appearance around Christmas time. We know the songs (I once had to sing Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious in choir) and we'll frequently gush about how amazing Julie Andrews is. Now, the famous magic nanny with the umbrella and song is officially back for a new adventure! There's been year-long hype around this film release, and I for one am very glad the time has finally come. We could probably have easily kept watching those yearly reruns but then we would have never gotten to see Emily Blunt at the helm of that bag! The team behind the sequel have managed to capture the air of childhood freedom and fun, staying true to the original whilst breathing new life (and music) into a much-loved fictional icon.

Rob Marshall, director of Chicago, Nine and Into the Woods, is clearly comfortable and passionate about musicals and does a stellar job of making Mary Poppins Returns an effortlessly flowing musical production. He sets the scene 25 years after the original, and in that time little Jane and Michael Banks are all grown up, which means a) it's time for a new generation of Banks children to meet Ms Poppins and b) our OG kids have forgotten all about the magic. Surely that stuff can't logically exist anyway, right? The storyline is assured but familiar, based post-family tragedy with a race against the clock for the family to save their beloved house. Long story. What happens in the meantime is uncomplicated but naturally there's plenty of time for flying kites, an extraordinary animated sequence and some bizarre Mary Poppins antics.

You've probably heard it all before but Emily Blunt is sublime, a best in class for how to pay homage to a classic character but not let the weight of the pressure distract you from doing your job. She's playing it as Emily Blunt the wonderful British actress - and ultimately not as a Julie Andrews tribute act. She's still just as well spoken, classy, slightly quirkier, mysterious and firm but warm with the familiar glint in her eye. Marshall's only choice for playing the character, Blunt showcases her vocal talent too and it's pretty darn good! Who would have thought?

This generation's Dick van Dyke is not a chimney sweep but a lamplighter named Jack. He's a loyal sometime sidekick who's no stranger to magic and offers many an opportunity for singing. Obviously the case when he's played by Lin-Manuel Miranda (who I absolutely adore but just cannot take his cockney accent seriously). Jack is a great friend to the 3 kids (Annabel, John and little Georgie) and this leads to this film's big song and dance production Trip a Little Light Fantastic which is no timeless classic yet, but who knows? Elsewhere, we have an ensemble cast featuring Mamma Mia favourites Colin Firth and Meryl Streep who each get a couple of minutes to shine, as well as special cameos from returning Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury. Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer play the grown-up Banks siblings, with Whishaw a particular stand-out as he delivers many of the film's poignant scenes earnestly and emotionally. Not to mention the talented and assured child actors who mirror how we all feel as big kids having the time of our lives.

The plot reminded me somewhat of Paddington 2 which is a great thing as I loved it so much. There's a bad guy and huge London set piece, and makes the city streets look oh-so-charming. Ok, it's not exactly difficult to predict, and there are a couple of weak moments (especially conclusion-wise) but it is built on a lot of heart and the whole spirit of the film is to be open-minded and willing to experience something different anyway. It fuels nostalgia (in the same way The Force Awakens did for Star Wars a couple of years ago) but is satisfyingly not a complete replica. As a result of the core themes feeling slightly more grown-up and moving, there's a thoughtful balance of not only high octane songs, but more reflective, softer pieces. The payoffs might make you shed a tear or two, I'll warn you now!


What's not to love about a feel-good, heartwarming production that manages to make bathtime unforgettably fun, focus on family and leave you singing and smiling as you leave the cinema? A personal highlight of mine is the time they casually go inside a Royal Doulton bowl and Blunt and Miranda get to sing and be fabulous for no reason at all. These are the moments that make the film. That said, I probably wouldn't want this to mean a new Mary Poppins franchise with a new adventure popping out every other year though - it's special enough as it is, let's leave it at that.

Mary Poppins Returns is in cinemas now.