Ann Knowles

I really wanted to be in love with this movie for so many reasons but sadly it did not blow me away. Emily Blunt did a wonderful job recreating the character but she didn’t find the endearing quality that Julie Andrews captured hearts with in the first movie. Ms Blunt has no chemistry with the children and they none with her. Aside from a few close ups used to assert some care for them, she presents a character running through the motions. She sang, danced and did a great job but there was something missing with those as well. Also challenged was Lin Manuel Maranda. I understand the reason for casting him, however he too didn’t have the quirky characterization that seemed necessary for a script like this. His marketability and ability to rap out a line for musical numbers, wasn’t enough to make the character stand on its own. The movie’s story line was as adequate, far less endearing than first movie and there wasn’t enough of it between the elaborate unmemorable musical numbers. The visual effects were great and that is what will hold children’s attentions, but not the really young ones. During the showing I attended, many were talking and squirming after about 30 minuets. There was another hour an 41 minuets to go which drew much shushing among the parents. Overall, it seemed it was developed to become a stage musical rather than a movie, which I am sure it will be very soon. When I can hear the executives in a pitch meeting for the movie while I’m watching it, I don’t consider it to be the blockbuster the marketing people have been assuring us it is.