FILM REVIEW: Mary Poppins Returns. Malvern Theatres.

THE good news is, for all families in crisis, Mary Poppins can still float in on her umbrella, with help and lively entertainment.

The bad news is, although the musical score isn’t at all bad, and it attempts to be faithful to the spirit of the original movie, it contains no memorable ear worms. It is possible to leave the cinema without whistling or humming anything. That, however, is on one hearing only. It might be an unfair impression.

There’s much to praise. Emily Blunt is outstanding as Poppins. She manages to be both posher than Julie Andrews and somehow more endearing. The choreography equals that of the 1960s classic. In particular, the dance of the lamp lighters and the weird balloon sequence, right at the end, are particularly memorable.

The blend of live action and Disney animation is retained for the sequel and is also outstanding, and yes, there are penguins and a talking horse. This movie is a worthy sequel and, being set in the Depression years of the 1930s, it has modern themes. The Banks family have fallen into debt and face losing their home. In a film with Cockney rhyming slang, Colin Firth is a convincing evil banker.

The Banks family need Mary Poppins. The grown-up Michael Banks, played by a touchingly emotional Ben Whishaw is struggling with bereavement, as well as debt; and his children, Annabel, John and Georgie are understandably missing their mum. Michael’s sister Jane, played sensitively by Emily Mortimer, is at hand to help, but what they all really need is Poppins magic. In this, Poppins is assisted by magical lamplighter, Jack, played with gusto by Lin-Manuel Miranda; and with Dick Van Dyke turning up and dancing in his 90s, what’s there not to like?