The trailer opens up to a shot of Cherry Tree Lane, a familiar sight for long time fans of Mary Poppins. It looks as if nothing has changed, but that is quite the opposite. The now grown up Jane and Michael Banks are cleaning out their childhood home’s attic. I love the ode to the Sherman Brother’s song and Walt’s favorite song (a piece of pretentious Disney fan trivia) Feed the Birds with a quick shot of the St. Paul’s Cathedral snow globe.
The scene cuts to one of Michael’s children pulling his father’s old kite with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s character, Jack.
Mary Poppins, played by Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt, ascends from the clouds in true Poppins elegance.
After seeing the Banks’ children all grown up, Blunt’s Poppins makes a quick quip and checks herself in the mirror, much like Julie Andrews did as Mary Poppins in 1964. The new take on the old costume is nice, and of course the style of her dresses has to update itself to the years that have passed, but I’m going to miss that iconic hat.
The trailer reveals that Mary Poppins has returned to help Jane and Michael, who are about to lose their home after the death of Michael’s wife and mother to the three children. Instead of Saving Mr. Banks (reference intended), it seems like Michael Banks, who has grown up to be stern like his father, is who Mary Poppins is truly trying to save.
The trailer also previews Blunt singing as Mary Poppins, a tough role to fill with Julie Andrews as the predecessor to the role. It doesn’t reveal much and nobody’s voice can compare to Andrews, but I think Blunt’s personality and attitude toward the role will help her be successful.
Then, flashes of classic Mary Poppins magic bring all of the 1964 nostalgia to life.
Mary Poppins, Jack, and the Banks children transport into a hybrid hand drawn and digitally animated world — a place that both old fans can appreciate and new fans will love. As a long time fan myself, I’m very happy to see the classic hand drawn animation being used in the movie. I would have been incredibly disappointed if it was all CGI. A mix of the two keeps up with current times and keeps old fans happy.
The trailer ends with cuts of the star studded cast. Along with Blunt and Miranda, the lively cast includes Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, and Meryl Streep.
We also got a glimpse a man I was praying would at least make an appearance in the movie…
Bert himself… DICK VAN DYKE!!!!
It’s too soon to tell if he is reprising his role as Bert, but I do see resemblance to another character of his from 1964.
Obviously Mr. Van Dyke cannot be playing the exact banker he was in 1964, but maybe it is one of the banker’s sons? Or maybe after Mary Poppins left Bert became a successful banker? Only time will tell and I’m eagerly counting down the days to December 19, the day the movie premieres in theaters.
You can watch the full trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jsfXDZLIY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jsfXDZLIY
What do you think of the trailer? Will you go see Mary Poppins Returns when it hits theaters in December? Comment below or tweet us @boardwalktimes on Twitter.
Elizabeth Pfeiffer is a Columnist for the Boardwalk Times
