“Mary Poppins,” the musical film produced on August 26, 1964, starring Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) and directed by Robert Stevenson, is well-known around the world for its message that it relays to the viewers. Mary Poppins is a story about trade-offs and the importance of finding balance, understanding and fulfilling obligations, and subordinating personal ambition. Like in history, things are bound to repeat themselves. Well when it comes to highly liked movies, shows, or books people tend to do a remake of what was a big hit. This is exactly the circumstances when it comes to the popular Disney musical film “Mary Poppins.“ The remake of the popular film is called “Mary Poppins Returns” kind of leaving off where the first movie ended, except the story-line and cast are a little different. “Mary Poppins Returns” was created on November 29, 2018, directed by Rob Marshall. The two films hit it off in movie theaters leaving people speechless, and singing for weeks after they saw the films!

The original hit film “Mary Poppins,” starring Julie Andrews and many more amazing actors and actresses, was a true classic. Julie Andrews was a very famous and an uprising actress at the time when her hit movie came out. She was just releasing a new film as many know called, “The Sound of Music.”  She was the perfect fit for a role like this, in fact the whole cast was just a spot on choice. The cast consisted of Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, Dick Van Dyke as Mr. Dawes, Karen Dotrice as Jane Banks, Mathew Gaber as Michael Banks, David Tomlison as George Banks, and Glynis Johns as Winifred Banks. Music played a huge part in the movie, making it a true show stopper. The songs were written and put together by Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman, and Irwin Kostal. These songs are still well-known today, and sometimes make a cameo in today’s musicals and movies. The plot of “Mary Poppins” is when Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Mathew Garber), the children of wealthy and upright Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new nanny. They are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews). Embarking on a series of fantastical adventures with Mary and her cockney performer friend, Bert (Dick Van Dyke), the siblings try to pass on some of their nanny’s sunny attitude to their preoccupied parents. I would rate this musical film 3.5/ 5 stars. 

The remake version, “Mary Poppins Returns,” stars Emily Blunt as the famous and loved nanny, Mary Poppins. This film was recreated to bring light to the world. The original film Mary Poppins was the light of many people’s lives bringing song and sunshine for everyone. The producers of the film felt like the film industry, and society, needed a little bit of joy in their lives so why not recreate the film that brought all things joyful. Many in the media thought that this remake wasn’t needed, and wouldn’t be as famous or as good as the original. Turns out the media was wrong; everyone ended up loving it and it was a hit! This cast was just as good as the original, with many familiar faces that hold high status, actors and actresses, and some of the original cast also popped into some of the scenes. The cast consisted of Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins, Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, Dick Van Dyke as Mr. Dawes Junior, Meryl Streep as Topsy, Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks, Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks, Pixie Davies as Annabel Banks, Nathanael Saleh as John Banks, and Joel Dawson as Georgie Banks. “Mary Poppins Returns” is about now-adult Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) who has three children, and he is a bank teller. Michael learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back a loan. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that shows proof of valuable shares his father left him years earlier. Just as all seems lost, Micheal and his sister Jane (Emily Mortimer), receive a surprise of a lifetime when Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt)– their beloved nanny from childhood– arrives to save the day and take the Banks family on a magical, fun-filled adventure. I would rate this film a 4/5 stars. 

The two films are brilliant pieces of work done by two amazing directors, and splendid cast members. These movies were my childhood, and they brought me joy and magic. I definitely suggest watching both of them. The original is a classic that brings lots of lessons and is a joy to watch. The remake is more up to date, and brighter.