Mary Poppins-The Most Magical and Imaginative of all of Disney’s Live-Action Films

Mary Poppins is one of Disney's most charming and whimsical live-action films. It's an incredibly imaginative film, with endearing characters and a story that feels consistently playful throughout every minute of its runtime. It's hard not to smile at Jane and Michael's interactions with Mary Poppins or Dick Van Dyke's physical mannerisms and humorously over-the-top Cockney accent as Burt. Every moment of the film never ceases to leave me with a massive grin.

However, the film becomes a different experience watching the film as an adult. When I first watched the movie when I was young, I identified with Jane and Michael and saw the world through their eyes. And, like them, I felt confused at how seriously Mr. Banks and the other adult characters treated the world around them. And so, like Jane and Michael, seeing Mr. Banks come out of his shell and enjoy the youthfulness and joy of his life was incredibly satisfying. As an adult, though, Mr. Banks's arc is all the more moving, going from a man bittered by his adult perspective who lightens up, regains a sense of youthfulness, and learns to appreciate the time he has with his family.

It's what makes "Feed the Birds" one of the most profoundly moving sequences of any Disney movie. Mary Poppins sings of a woman who represents the little enjoyments of life, like feeding the birds. That scene of Mr. Banks alone at the church before he confronts the men at the bank moved me to tears on this rewatch. The lack of presence from the lady feeding the birds makes for an unfortunate connotation, turning the scene into one of Mr. Banks seeing firsthand the fleeting nature of life, realizing at that moment the life he's wasting away.

The filmmaking may seem dated in some areas, from the effects to the obvious matte paintings. However, there's still something so magical about how the filmmakers play around with different effects, from hand-drawn animation to matte paintings to projections to wirework, and watching it all play out onscreen feels so magical. The hazy look of the Soundstage recreation of the streets of London gives the film a visually striking look that looks more and more lively throughout the film.

I've always considered Mary Poppins one of the most charming, whimsical, and visually dazzling live-action films Disney has ever produced. Rewatching it as an adult solidifies that opinion, but I also found that the film became much more emotionally moving than I expected. It turns the movie from a simple story of a magical nanny into a wonderful ode to staying young and appreciating the joys of life.

Now Streaming on Disney+ in the U.S