Mary Poppins Returns

When you've got  a theater star like Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), a director like Rob Marshall (Chicago) and Uncle Walt Disney's Money ($130MM), you're bound to have a Spectacle with a capital S. 

Mary Poppins Returns does not disappoint as a singing and dancing spectacle, but as a story line, the English Nanny coming to save the hapless Father from the difficult single parent task is as dated as the midcentury era where it became so popular.  In fact, the storyline is kind of hard to remember, but they make it easier to follow as you will see.

Emily Blunt does a wonderful star turn.  She looks great in every scene.  Not a hair or a eyelash out of place.  But she could be better utilized that simply looking good.

Best parts are the big singing and dancing scenes.  Plus the Disney dream scenes.  And some nice cameos.

Big budget entertainment with familiar characters and backstory, but a pretty basic Clock-is-Ticking plotline.

*** of 5