Carolina Kaufman

Although the intention was to have a nice tribute sequel it was no match to the original magic and message of the original film. The characters in 1964 film were much more believable in their emotions and expressions that one can relate to. The pace of this film however was much faster, louder, and a bit too smiley dramatic for my taste. The only characters that showed a little bit more authenticity was Jacks character and sister Jane. Nice to see Van Dyck, Angela Landsbury and the first and last songs we’re delightful to watch and my daughter liked the ballon song out of all of them. They should have taken a much more critical eye in toning down the “Broadway feel” that came across both forced and too sensational. The kids I really couldn’t stand and made me think of Dick and Jane books for some reason. Cutting out a song number may have helped for starters. I especially found NO reason to distract viewers from villainous animated characters or scene, it was an unessesary “twist” that did not go with the movies message or theme. This did not happen in the original film and any “scarier” points of the film were more natural and believable like when Jane and Michael encounter strangers and a dog when they are lost. I found the kidnapping animated scene to be a waste of time and just bad taste. The film overall while well intended but did not deliver the magic and authenticity that Disney could deliver. If Walt was here I think there would be plenty of edits and better casting choices. To end on a good note, the costumes and animation were colorful and the way Mary Poppins entered with audiences to magical scenes like the bathtub and porcelain bowl were well executed. I wish Blunt had been a bit more approachable (as Mary Poppins Julie Andrews was) Blunt seemed a bit more sour in personality and should have aimed for the warmth that Andrews mastered together with the confidence and smarts that the Poppins character embodies. I hope Disney can bring more authenticity and less “showy” forced smiles or scenes in future films like this. I’m with Rotten Tomatoes mostly but give it a 70%rating. Yet more disappointing is that unlike the original film which My daughter and I do watch over and over again and will do in the future, I don’t foresee watching this movie again, once was enough for me.