Joanne Powell (Jo)

I would highly highly recommend. I was dubious going into this film because of the bad reviews, and also because the original Mary Poppins characters are big shoes to fill. However, to my delight it was a different story, it had its own feel, and for those of us who remember the original, it gives subtle nods to the the original throughout the film which brings a smile everytime. Suitable for children and adults alike, I took my 6 year old daughter and she is a sensitive child, but she wasn’t afraid of anything and was really swept along with all the fun and the storyline (little did she know her mummy was having equally as much fun next to her). For children like mine who refused to watch the original because it looks old and boring, it’s perfectly suitable to meet Mary Poppins in this film with a blank canvas, but also those subtle nods to the original please the adults. Clearly a lot of work has gone into the film, and the songs are very easy to catch hold of meaning the children can sing along just a few verses in. It does deal with some sensitive issues, such as loss of a parent, poverty and an angry father at times, but it’s done very tastefully and sensibly, it doesn’t over dwell on these things but has enough of them to allow the child to feel emotion and follow the storyline. If I had the money, me and my daughter would see it at the cinema daily, we can’t wait until it comes out on Blu-ray. I’ve never seen my daughter (and I) so enthralled in a movie to date, and she is a little movie goer. You won’t be disappointed.