Magical sequel has spoonfuls of family fun...
The world’s favourite nanny glides back onto the big screen in this practically perfect sequel which serves up spoonfuls of the sweet magic of Disney’s 1964 original.
Set 25 years after Mary Poppins flew away on her umbrella it’s now 1935 and she returns to offer more life lessons to the now grown-up Banks children.
Julie Andrews had been a Broadway star for a decade when she won an Oscar as Mary, and now her sensible shoes are filled by a stern and sweet Emily Blunt, pictured right.
Lin-Manuel Miranda energetically anchors the big song and dance numbers as a Cockney lamplighter, a former apprentice of Dick Van Dyke’s character from the original film. Van Dyke is 93 today and the still spry star celebrates with a fabulous cameo where he dusts off his dancing shoes to show everyone he can still trip the light fantastic. The songs don’t quite hold a candle to the original but they are jaunty, catchy and clever.
Uncle Walt’s individual touch made the original the greatest family film ever and this is a worthy successor, receiving a rapturous response at last night’s Royal Albert Hall premiere. Stunt double IT’S practically petrifying in every way...
Mary Poppins wields her iconic brolly and carpet bag on top of the London Eye.
The stunt was marking last night’s premiere of the film Mary Poppins Returns.