10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
A Jolly Holiday!
Date of Review: Feb 22, 2000
I saw "Mary Poppins" for the first time at a drive-in when I was five years old. It was the first movie I ever saw, and I think I fell in love with the big screen that night. This wonderful Disney fantasy, based on an equally wonderful series of childrens' books, is one of the best family films ever made. It was also the first film to combine live action and animation, proving once again that Walt Disney was a true genius.
Jane and Michael Banks have run off several nannies, and now they want a nanny who will meet their specifications. She needs a "cheery disposition," for one thing, and needs to know how to "play games, all sorts!" Lo and behold, in blows Mary Poppins with her umbrella. She is "practically perfect in every way" and can tidy up the nursery by snapping her fingers.
Mary Poppins takes the children on a series of delightful, magical adventures, including my personal favorite, a tea party on the ceiling! But Mary isn't there just to have fun with the children; she has a more important mission: to show their work-obsessed father that he needs to spend time with them and learn to enjoy life. In this she succeeds, and floats away when the wind changes.
The songs in this movie are all memorable, especially " A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Jolly Holiday." Julie Andrews sparkles as Ms. Poppins and Dick van Dyke is wonderful as Bert. This movie is a glorious, fun-filled Disney treat!
