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Mary Poppins Returns Social Reactions: Emily Blunt Wows – hello, Oscar? – in Feel-Good Sequel

How are the songs? Was it worth the wait? And how does Mary Poppins Returns compare to the original?

by | November 30, 2018 | Comments

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Mary Poppins Returns has been showered with love on social media following the movie’s premiere last night, and while there were some critics for whom the spoonful of sugar wasn’t quite sweet enough, everyone agrees that Emily Blunt is wonderful in the title role. Not only does she do the iconic character justice, but she’s looking to follow original Mary Poppins star Julie Andrews to Oscar recognition (but can she win, too?). Overall, the long-awaited sequel may not work for absolutely everybody, but in addition to awards favor, it’s sure to be a huge hit with many.

Here’s the first wave of critical buzz, as drawn from Twitter reactions, on Mary Poppins Returns:


Is the sequel worth the wait?

I loved Mary Poppins Returns!
Jenna Busch, Legion of Leia

Mary Poppins Returns is an exquisitely made film.
Germain Lussier, io9

I was in delight the entire way through Mary Poppins Returns…it’s a lovely little spot of happy.
Alisha Grauso, Film School Rejects

Mary Poppins Returns is absolutely delightful, packed with old school charm, and it keeps you smiling the entire time.
Erik Davis, Fandango


How does it compare to the original?

It felt SO similar to the original. New songs, better technology, same story and themes. I definitely recommend it, though.
– Germain Lussier, io9

This isn’t trying to be Creed or Rocky Balboa; it’s aimed squarely at Rocky II: “The first one, again” effect.
– Bob Chipman, Geek.com

It’s faithful to the original without being beholden to it.
Alisha Grauso, Film School Rejects

The movie just attempts to recreate too much of the original and totally fails to recapture its magic.
Ben Pearson, Slashfilm


Walt Disney Studios

Does everyone love it?

I know I’m probably going to be in the minority but I didn’t love Mary Poppins Returns…has moments of greatness but mostly [is] not for me.
Peter Sciretta, Slashfilm

Mary Poppins Returns has some great moments but [is] never consistent enough to be overall great.
Clayton Davis, AwardsCircuit.com

Sigh. I didn’t love Mary Poppins Returns. I was bored for the most part.
Yolanda Machado, Cosmopolitan

I think it’s a supremely average, loud, bombastic, hollow, mess, from the songs to the story.
Robert Daniels, 812filmreviews


How is Emily Blunt?

The only redeeming quality is Emily Blunt.
Robert Daniels, 812filmreviews

Emily Blunt is magical.
Dirk Libbey, CinemaBlend

Emily Blunt is fantastic.
Yolanda Machado, Cosmopolitan

Emily Blunt is perfect.
Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

Emily Blunt is practically perfect in every way!
Jenna Busch, Legion of Leia

Emily Blunt is downright exquisite in a bundle-of-joy and bouquet-of-charm of a musical.
Nguyen Le, Houston Chronicle

Transcendent, beautiful work [from Blunt].
Clayton Davis, AwardsCircuit.com

As the heart, beat and look of Mary Poppins Returns, Emily Blunt has seared her name in the firmament among the all time greats. Brava!
Jose Solís Mayén, The Film Stage


Walt Disney Studios

(Photo by Walt Disney Studios)

Are the new songs supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

As a HUGE musical theater geek, the music was so-so. It lacked a song that just sticks to your soul.
Yolanda Machado, Cosmopolitan

It’s not the equal of the original, obviously — and even as it’s doing the same beats, it’s REALLY missing the one extra wallop of an equivalent to “A Man Has Dreams.”
Bob Chipman, Geek.com

One of the songs is surprisingly bawdy!
Matt Goldberg, Collider


Is Mary Poppins Returns a spoonful of sugar for our time?

I’d been having a rough day before I walked into screen it. Two hours later, I walked out in love with everything again. It’s a happy-making movie.
Alisha Grauso, Film School Rejects

Mary Poppins Returns [is] the warm, cozy comfort weight blanket we need right now — prescribed self-care that swaddles us in heartfelt sentiments.
Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction

I didn’t realize how much I needed Mary Poppins back in my life until she arrived.
Dirk Libbey, CinemaBlend

If you need this movie in your life, it is going to be the most fulfilling two hours of your year. I in no way expected to walk out on the high that I did.
Erik Davis, Fandango

It anticipates and miraculously evades any cynicism and leaves you in a state of joy.
Silas Lesnick, CinemaBlend

Joy and happiness are all over Mary Poppins Returns. You leave on a pure high.
Clayton Davis, AwardsCircuit.com


Walt Disney Studios

(Photo by Walt Disney Studios)

Should you bring a hanky?

I spontaneously sobbed in Mary Poppins Returns.
Kate Erbland, IndieWire

Disney needs to make branded tissues for every showing!
– Jenna Busch, Legion of Leia


Final thoughts?

It’s easily going to garner a few Oscar nods.
– Alisha Grauso, Film School Rejects

Kids will love it, and it will make a ton of money.
Yolanda Machado, Cosmopolitan

Holy moly Mary Poppins Returns is going to be huge. Pure joy.
Mike Ryan, Uproxx


Mary Poppins Returns opens everywhere on December 19.

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Adjusted Score: 100193%
Critics Consensus: Mary Poppins Returns relies on the magic of its classic forebear to cast a familiar -- but still solidly effective -- family-friendly spell.
Synopsis: Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days... [More]
Directed By: Rob Marshall