Mary Poppins (1964)

 

Genre: Family/ Musical 

Time: 2h 20mins

Director: Robert Stevenson

Quick Summary: At the turn of the century in London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.

Not a single brain cell in that poor boy's head.

There is something so nostalgic and wonderful about this. It gives you that sense of childhood joy. Extra, full of amazing performances, brilliant group choreography on a grand scale, vibrant in all the right places and just a delightfully fun experience. I don't believe you if you say you dislike this. 

The special effects for this, even though they are so pretty to watch as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke walk through a pastel English countryside that looks like it is beautifully drawn in chalk, are actually incredibly impressive when you think about the year this was made. The technique isn't used at all now, and I do think they should go back to it, but it creates a really pleasing image to look at. All the stunts like having characters interact with cartoons, jumping from chimney to chimney, and floating down from clouds with an umbrella are spectacles that are wonderful to watch. I can't imagine all the work that it took to coordinate the animation with the real people to the standard that this is at.

Everyone has their own little charm, Julie Andrews has such a sweet and kind air to her. As a kid, I fell in love with her. She is the perfect motherly figure, kind, caring, and stern when needed, and creates these fun little experiences. There's no doubt about her singing too, it's so pleasant to the ears, and all her songs are really memorable within pop culture too. Dick Van Dyke is a character too. King of slapstick and fooling around. Any time he is on screen he is just straight-up goofing around and I love it. Surprisingly too, he can carry a pretty good tune. While not as pleasing as Julie's, his songs are usually for laughs. 

While this is presented as a kid's film, it's scripted for a more mature audience. Now that doesn't mean it's full of hidden dirty jokes, but the jokes and dialogue are directed towards a more clever and witty, sort of tongue-in-cheek way. It doesn't simplify itself for young kids to understand, but it's spoken in old Victorian English with big words, sayings, and even things like reverse psychology. Yes, you'll be shocked to hear that there is manipulation used in a kid's film, but it's actually for a good reason. Everything Mary Poppins' does is to teach people to do good things, appreciate the people in their lives, and be involved with your families too. A lot of good moral things are taught throughout this wonderful musical. 

I think my only complaint about this is near the end, the songs become a little dull and boring. This is supposed to reflect the whole "adult life" of the children's father, but after all the grand big musical numbers that have been thrown at us for the last two hours, it feels a bit of a letdown. I'll admit, it lost my attention during the bank outing, but there wasn't really any way to make that interesting. I think it needed something more to show how greedy the whole event was, instead of dully poking towards it.

Don't let that steer you away from this delight. One of my favourite musical numbers plays not too long after it, with chimney sweeps popping out from chimneys to perform one of Dick Van Dyke's numbers. 

You will forget this is over two hours as this draws you in for the ride instantly. It's fun, nostalgic, sweet and charming. A lot of people miss out on this as they never watched it during their childhood, but I urge you to give it a chance. 

9/10

The themed food me and my partner made:

Assorted tea party sandwiches, with jam and cream scones 

"Mr. Banks: Just a moment, Mary Poppins. What is the meaning of this outrage?

Mary Poppins: I beg your pardon?

Mr. Banks: Will you be good enough to explain all this?

Mary Poppins: First of all, I would like to make one thing quite clear.

Mr. Banks: Yes?

Mary Poppins: I never explain anything."

"Bert: Speakin' o' names, I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.

Uncle Albert: What's the name of his other leg?"

"Mr. Banks: I suggest you have this piano repaired. When I sit down to an instrument, I like to have it in tune.

Mrs. Banks: But, George, you don't play.

Mr. Banks: Madam, that is entirely beside the point!"