Did Anyone Else Dislike the Original “Mary Poppins” but Love “Mary Poppins Returns”?

As a Google SEO expert, I always strive to understand audience preferences and critically analyze content to provide the best results. In this article, I will explore the idea that some people might have had the opposite reaction to the two Mary Poppins films.

Many might argue that the original “Mary Poppins” is a classic cherished for its magic and whimsical storytelling, but there are those, including myself, who had a different opinion. While the sequel tried to capture some of the magic that made the original such a beloved classic, it ultimately fell short in many aspects.

The Original Mary Poppins

The 1964 original “Mary Poppins” was a movie that played with a very simple plot, minimal villain, and a lot of song-and-dance numbers. The father in the original film was, perhaps, as close to a villain as the movie had, and the plot centered around the concept of family unity learning to grow stronger together.

The lack of a driving force beyond building familial bonds allowed the movie to embrace a sense of silly and nonsensical charm. Fostering this environment allowed the characters to be their adorable and playful selves, making every number memorable and delightful. The absence of a strong antagonist and a more straightforward storyline meant that the plot could be thrown aside for the sake of pure joy and entertainment.

The Sequel: Mary Poppins Returns

Disney's “Mary Poppins Returns,” a sequel released in 2018, attempted to bring back some of the magic of the original. However, it introduced a much darker villain and a further developed plot. This change had a profound impact on the overall tone and style of the movie.

Following the original's formula, the film tried to establish a new villain, the Bank Manager, who was the man behind the non-magical threats to the Banks family. Unfortunately, the villain's motivation for trying to take the house seemed rather simplistic: "this is the most evil way I can make a profit." This stance went against the spirit of the original “Mary Poppins,” where the villain was a consequence of overgrown and unforgiving adult thinking.

Lessons and Perspective

The contrast in the characters' actions and motivations between the two films is stark. The 2018 sequel presents a more adult and complex narrative, with less emphasis on magical lessons and more on adult moral dilemmas. For instance, the Banks kids spent ten minutes singing about new perspectives while their house was about to be sold in three days. This shift in focus led to a disconnect between the seemingly important messages and the superficial plot devices.

Furthermore, Mary Poppins’s return to the character after sixteen years felt rushed and unfulfilled. Instead of appearing as the all-loving and innovative nanny that she was in the first film, she seemed to be solving problems during a single weekend instead of over six months.

Performance and Success