Mary Poppins Returns Review: 5 Ups & 4 Downs

Ups...

5. Emily Blunt's Worthy Performance

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Emily Blunt is the best thing about this movie, giving a spectacularly on-point performance as Mary Poppins that totally lives up to Julie Andrews' indelible original portrayal.

What's most impressive isn't just Blunt's confidence and charisma, but the fact that she refuses to simply serve up an imitation of Andrews.

Her Mary Poppins is actually subtly different and, with her hints at vanity and even arrogance, a little closer to the more serious Mary Poppins envisioned in P.L. Travers' books.

While the material itself will likely prevent her from scoring much serious Best Actress Oscar consideration, she acquits herself extremely well and does justice to a challenging role few could get this right.