A freaky mystical nanny enters some children's lives just long enough to magically fix everything, probably by putting everyone on weird drugs that make them hallucinate dancing penguins. Once again, Debra and Jeff join us as guest bloggers.
Jeff
Rating: 8/10
Reaction: As a film, Mary Poppins is almost perfect, albeit clearly dated in the special effects category. Almost. As a movie for children, it is a wonderful advocate for the importance of a healthy imagination and the ability to know when to use it and when to turn it off; however, it is also a little confusing, mostly plotless where a child would be concerned, and runs a bit long for the average young attention span today. As a movie for adults, it is a wonderful advocate for the importance not only keeping our imaginations alive as we age, but also remembering to allow children to be children while they still can; however, it is also a little confusing, mostly plotless if you overlook the character arc of Mr. Banks, and still feels a tiny bit long due to its episodic nature. Upon this viewing (again, one among very many over the years), I took more notice in the idea that rather than using "magic," Mary Poppins was instead simply urging the children's use of their imagination. I hadn't really paid attention before to the fact that after all these fantastical adventures, Mary Poppins denies that they ever happened, perhaps trying to teach the kids that imagination is wonderful, but it is not real, and trying to show them that difference without crushing their dreams. I like that. The musical numbers are whimsical and beautiful, some exciting and playful ("Step In Time," "Supercali..."), and some somber and simple ("Stay Awake," "Feed the Birds"). Julie Andrews is just exquisite, and Dick van Dyke's physical comedy is to die for. And let's not forget that those children were very talented for being so very young. But what a fantastic movie - again, imperfect, but fantastic.
Debra
Rating: 6/10
Reaction: Well, I have to say, I love the musical numbers (in particular, Step in Time!) but was not crazy about the movie as a whole. I feel like it was two movies smushed into one. Don't get me wrong, the acting was superb but I wanted to watch just the musical numbers and then have a separate movie with the heart warming story of the Banks family. I found myself waiting for the musical numbers during the scenes and waiting for the scenes during the musical numbers. It is still a classic and for good reason, the cast is amazing and their performances stellar, I just felt something was missing.
Eli
Rating: 6/10
Reaction: Well, we practically had to hold Regan down to watch this movie, but we finally got through Mary Poppins. A whimsical fantasy about a super-nanny who comes and helps two children (and ultimately their father) become better Londoners and people. One of my favorite parts of this movie is the animated sequence, where Mary, Bert and the two children frolic through a chalk-painted wonderland full of carousels, foxes, singing farm-animals, and penguins. Penguins? Hm. There's also the scene where the Mad Hatter invites all parties to laugh and have a merry tea time on the ceiling of his flat. It's a wonderful time had by all, and though this movie can seem a bit long at times (all the scenes in the bank can drag quite a bit), it's still a fun time and you still end up liking Mary in the end, even though she hasn't been all that nice in the first place. I find it strange that the children have to beg her to do all the crazy things they end up doing, and she finally gives in. Please. Mary wanted to do them all in the first place anyway. I will say my favorite character is Mrs. Banks signing her Sister Suffragette number and parading around for women's votes. You go girl!
Regan
Rating: 3/10
Reaction: I have never, ever liked this movie. I didn't like it when I watched it as a kid, I didn't like it when I tried it again three years ago, and I don't like it now. I find the music insipid, the main character more terrifying (and not in a good way) than lovable, and the plot--wait, what plot? At two hours and twenty minutes, this is by far the longest of the Disney movies we've watched so far, yet the only reason it's so tediously long is because there are so many unnecessary musical interludes that do nothing to advance the plot, although they do a nice job of getting stuck in your head and making you want to take a hammer to your cranium to get them out.
There are good parts, I will confess. "Feed the Birds" is a great song. I love the Admiral and his habit of firing his cannon like clockwork every day. I like Bert and Mr. Banks okay (and really, Bert is far more the main character than Mary Poppins). But I think Mary Poppins is a truly terrible character who seems to have multiple personality disorder and whose powers are used in mystifying (again, not in a good way) ways that mostly seem to revolve around improbably, unending dance numbers, some of which are with animated characters, and most of which are set to repetitive, insipid songs.
Oh, well. At least I survived it. Now back to the good stuff!
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