MARY POPPINS RETURNS: Already nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Picture (Comedy or Musical), I was afraid this sequel wouldn't quite live up to the original. but under the direction of Rob Marshall and with leads like Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, it takes flight and soars! And in a word, it is delightfulcalafragilisticexpialidocious and the perfect movie for the holiday season. I won't go into the plot, suffice it to say that Ms. Poppins saves the day and teaches some life lessons along the way. And what a supporting cast! We are treated to performances (some little more than a cameo) by Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep and Julie Walters with Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer as the now-grown Banks children from the original film. Did I mention, it's a musical with some show-stopping numbers, most notably "The Light Fantastic." There are also some wonderful animated sequences (A side note, Julie Andrews was offered the Lansbury role of the Balloon Lady but turned it down because she thought it would be too distracting and the film should belong to Ms. Blunt.) And indeed, it does, channeling Ms. Andrews but making it her own. And Mr. Miranda is a perfect lamplighter who warms you with just a smile. This it first rate movie making that will keep you smiling all day. And the three juvenile actors practically steal the picture. I can't wait to see it again.
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