Tim joined Paul Douglas to review the new film version of the stage musical “Hamilton” (Disney+) and supernatural thriller series “Warrior Nun” (Netflix) on the “Paul and Jordana” show on WCCO-AM. Click to listen below. The segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show” on KQRS-FM, “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO Radio, “It Matters with Kelly Cordes” on WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere, and reviews streaming programming on WCCO Radio’s “Paul and Jordana” as well. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).
The magic is back after 54 years with “Mary Poppins Returns,” the long-anticipated sequel to the classic, 1964 Disney musical starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.
Disney clearly took its time to get the sequel just right, and while star Emily Blunt will inevitably suffer comparisons to the legendary Andrews, there’s no question that the actress has turned in a career performance as the enchanting nanny from the sky. Combining her talents with the burgeoning Broadway-turned-film star Lin-Manuel Miranda under the expert direction of Rob Marshall, Blunt may very well accomplish the incredible achieved by Andrews with the original and win the Oscar for Best Actress.
Like the original film, Mary Poppins comes to 17 Cherry Tree Lane in London to look after the Banks children, but the family has grown. Michael (Ben Wishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) are adults, and Michael is a widowed father of three younger children, Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and George (Joel Dawson). With the Great Slump hitting the family hard financially, Michael is in danger of losing the Banks family home; but things begin to look up when Mary Poppins returns and brings some magic back into the family’s life.
Like the original “Mary Poppins,” the sequel is filled with colorful characters, including Jack (Miranda), who mirrors the Van Dyke role in the original film as a lamplighter who has a special connection to Mary. Meryl Streep, who starred in Marshall’s adaptation of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” (along with Blunt”), also turns up in a memorable scene, and Colin Firth co-stars in a small but pivotal role as a banker who holds the fate of the Banks’ household in his hands.
Every frame of “Mary Poppins Returns” dazzles, from Blunt’s undeniable presence as the title character, to the songs — largely performed by Blunt and Miranda (but also include Streep, Wishaw and a couple surprise actors in cameos) – and production numbers, peppy dialogue and striking visual effects, especially in a scene, that like the original, features a hybrid of live-action and hand-drawn animation.
Topping things off is a brimming final musical number that will no doubt leave you in tears, and longing for the day when Mary Poppins returns again – whether it be in a repeat viewing, or if you have time and patience, another sequel. Let’s hope people are content with watching this new film over and over again, since it serves as a perfect bookend to the original that makes the big screen adventures of Mary Poppins complete.
Lammometer: 9.5 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
