Wesley R. Ball’s review published on Letterboxd:
In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and- snap! The job's a game!
I am saddened. I have become overwhelmed with the stark realization that I am simply too old to truly appreciate this film anymore like I used to. That's not to say that I don't adore and treasure this film as I did in my youth, but rather, I am very unlikely to watch it of my own accord again. I have moved on to different films, different genres, more adult tastes.
However, I find that there is a special place in my heart for this film. You see, Mary Poppins is the film that sparked my love for film in general. When I was just two years old, I would watch Mary Poppins several times every day (no joke, my mother taught me how to operate the VCR when I was two because she was sick of doing it all day for me.) and I would constantly sing all the songs. My favorite song, of course, was the whimsical "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," which I would constantly sing to with glee as my little, cerebral palsy-ladened body would prance around the room with excitement, and then use a small toy American flag as an umbrella for the post-song rainstorm. Sweet, sweet childhood memories.
Mary Poppins doesn't seem to get as much attention nowadays like it should (despite the slightly successful biopic "Saving Mr. Banks," which was quite excellent). Each and every song (including the dreadfully boring "Stay Awake") is perfectly placed in the film, and Julie Andrew is simply at her best. Even Dick Van Dyke, with his hilariously awful fake British accent, is a joy to watch in the film. His constant choreographic antics (specifically with the penguins) always joyed me as a child, and I still take comfort in the memories of me watching Julie and Van Dyke on the screen together, singing their wonderfully fantastic songs.
Mary Poppins is somewhat dated, but it is still some of the most fun I ever had watching a musical. I always loved listening to "I Love to Laugh" and watching the nonsensical Disney magic that happens in that scene. It has always stuck in my memory wherever I have gone, and it makes me yearn for my younger childhood years. Mary Poppins is a true childhood classic that I will never forget.