Part of Dastardly Difficult December: film nr.104

' Old Year's Day' is what we call the last day of the year here in Holland.

One of the things that goes hand in hand with this day is watching Mary Poppins.

And as I look around the room and see three generations of my family smiling, laughing, singing and being totally captivated by this tale of magic, fantasy and the beauty of childhood, I forget that I'm a cynical dick 90% of the time. There are only a handful of films that can achieve this and this one is probably the best example of them.

And Julie Andrews is a total babe.

practically perfect in every way. a faultless gem, enjoyable throughout, and timeless.

Watched whilst feeling very jaded after a heavy, HEAVY new years night out. As always delightful, and deceptively radical!

What surprises me about Mary Poppins is:
a) how pretty Julie Andrews was
b) how many songs I knew without having seen it before
c) how good the effects are given the available technology
d) how it still holds up 40 odd years after being made

Our 3.5 year old would rate this as 5 stars - she chose to keep watching it over decorating the Christmas tree and that was even on her 10th time through. I have to stick with 4 stars because it's all a bit cloying for me. Still, that may be a problem with the source material rather than the film itself.

Now, how to get Supercalifragilistic out of my head!?

Practically Perfect in Every Way!

I originally watched this as a kid in Italy (with Italian dubs, including the songs) and as a kid I obviously loved it. I must have watched it a hundred times.

But I hadn't watched it as an adult, and I took the opportunity to re-watch it now with my kids. They loved it too.

First of all I enjoyed the American version. It helped to make it new to me again. However I still remembered most of the scenes, so there really wasn't much of a surprise to me.

I was surprised when I found out that Dick Van Dyke also played Mr Dawes, I never recognized him under that make-up.

As expansive and bold, as intimate and tender, as cinema can be at its very best.

Full review:
www.the-totality.com/2013/03/film-review-mary-poppins.html

1973

This movie is the shit. I want more Mary Poppins/Julie Andrews in my life. She just makes you feel great.

Uma gostosa viagem no tempo, na música e na animação.

When the songs and story are this strong it's perhaps wrong to focus on the special effects but I'm slightly obsessed with how effects blend with real life at the moment. Almost 50 years later and the effects in Mary Poppins are practically perfect in every way.

It's a shame the film is too long and the young audience were restless long before the end. If a few (great) songs and the unnecessary opening were cut it would be a five star film.

An enchanting masterpiece of family entertainment with one of the finest Disney scores and an iconic lead performance from Julie Andrews.

Alright people, say it with me.

Iiiiiiiiiit's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!