Mary Poppins Returns
Mary Poppins Returns is a heartwarming musical fantasy that continues the beloved story of the magical nanny, set in Depression-era London. Decades after her original visit, Mary Poppins returns to Cherry Tree Lane to assist the now-grown Michael Banks, a widowed father struggling to raise his three children and facing the potential loss of his family home. The film transports audiences on a series of whimsical adventures, blending live-action with vibrant animated sequences, as Mary Poppins, along with the charming lamplighter Jack, endeavors to bring joy, imagination, and hope back into the Banks family's lives. The movie explores themes of grief, financial hardship, and the importance of wonder and resilience in the face of adversity. With its memorable musical numbers and dazzling visuals, "Mary Poppins Returns" aims to rekindle the magic of its predecessor for a new generation while delivering messages about family unity and finding light in dark times. It is generally considered suitable for a broad family audience, focusing on imaginative escapism and heartfelt emotional journeys. However, parents may wish to be aware of certain elements. While the film is largely lighthearted, it does contain some intense scenes, particularly animated sequences involving peril, and addresses mature themes such as loss and financial struggles. Some song lyrics and character interactions have also drawn specific attention for their potential interpretations or subtle undertones.
Concerns
Romance and Sexual Content
HighWhile the film lacks explicit sexual content, some scenes and song lyrics have been noted for having suggestive undertones or interpretations. A specific musical number involves Mary Poppins in a manner described as potentially sexualized, and certain allegorical lyrics have been interpreted by one source as metaphors for non-consensual acts.
1. During the 'A Cover Is Not the Book' musical sequence, Mary Poppins' performance includes a 'sexier haircut,' 'showing some leg,' and a 'pelvic thrust,' which some reviewers found to be an attempt to sexualize the character in an uncharacteristic way. 2. A clinical psychologist interpreted lyrics from 'A Cover Is Not the Book' as containing metaphors for rape. Specifically, a female tree is depicted refusing a male tree's advances, yet he 'took root' (interpreted as penetration and impregnation), leaving her with 'seedlings everywhere.' Another lyric mentions a wealthy woman on the beach 'wearing nothing but two feathers and a leaf,' further contributing to this interpretation.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWithin the film "Mary Poppins Returns" itself, there are no explicit LGBTQ characters or overt representations of LGBTQ themes. However, the film's director, Rob Marshall, is openly gay and has publicly expressed an interest in featuring the LGBTQ rights movement in future potential installments of the 'Mary Poppins' franchise. Additionally, the character of Michael Banks is portrayed by openly gay actor Ben Whishaw.
1. Director Rob Marshall, who is openly gay, stated in an interview with The Advocate his hope to include the LGBTQ rights movement in a third 'Mary Poppins' film, following the franchise's tradition of addressing social movements. 2. The character of Michael Banks, a central protagonist, is played by Ben Whishaw, an actor who is openly gay.
Violence
MediumThe film contains mild animated violence and moments of peril, primarily within fantastical sequences. These instances include cartoon characters engaging in minor physical altercations and a significant chase scene that could be intense for younger viewers.
1. During an animated sequence inside a china bowl, a wicked cartoon wolf steals Georgie's toy giraffe and captures him in a cage attached to a carriage, leading to an extended chase scene where his siblings, Anabel and John, pursue the wolf to rescue him. 2. In the same animated segment, Jack the lamplighter is depicted whacking a cartoon penguin with his walking stick and kicking another during a dance number. Anabel also hits a cartoon badger with a cricket bat, causing it to fall out of a carriage.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe movie extensively features fantastical magic as a central plot device, inherent to Mary Poppins' character and the adventures she creates. This magic is portrayed as whimsical and benevolent, serving to inspire imagination and solve problems, rather than depicting dark rituals or explicit occult practices.
1. Mary Poppins utilizes various magical abilities, such as flying with her umbrella, conjuring items from her seemingly bottomless carpet bag, and initiating magical journeys that transform everyday reality into animated fantasy worlds, such as entering a scene painted on a china bowl. 2. The children visit Mary Poppins' eccentric cousin, Topsy, whose house magically turns upside down on a specific day of the month, showcasing whimsical, non-threatening magical phenomena.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film contains several elements that could be scary or intense for younger children. These include emotionally heavy themes of loss and financial struggle, along with suspenseful animated sequences and moments of peril.
1. The underlying narrative deals with the recent death of Michael Banks' wife and the children's mother, which is a significant source of sadness and emotional intensity, particularly in scenes where Michael expresses his grief or the children sing about missing her, such as 'The Place Where Lost Things Go.' 2. The animated chase scene involving the wicked cartoon wolf who abducts Georgie is described as 'quite scary and intense,' with villains depicted with 'crazy eyes and fire everywhere,' creating a frightening experience for the children and potentially for young viewers.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film presents instances of mild disrespect and frustration, particularly from adult characters under stress and from Mary Poppins herself. While not overtly rebellious, these behaviors might be observed by children.
1. Michael Banks, overwhelmed by financial burdens and grief, expresses extreme frustration by shouting at his children, an outburst that causes distress. 2. Mary Poppins is characterized by some reviewers as being 'sassy' with 'a nice and proper dash of sarcasm' and 'kind of rude' in her interactions, reflecting a less overtly gentle demeanor than some might expect.
Profanity
LowThe film includes a minimal amount of very mild coarse language. These instances are infrequent and generally considered soft in nature, aligning with the film's family-friendly rating.
1. The word 'bloody' is used once in the film. 2. Other mild terms of exclamation or insult include 'blasted,' 'blimey,' and 'peabrain buffoons.' The phrase 'on the sauce,' referring to drinking, is also present.
Substance Use
LowThere is very minimal and indirect reference to substance use. No explicit depiction of alcohol or drug consumption is shown. One song contains a coded reference to someone being intoxicated.
1. Song lyrics include a 'coded reference to someone being drunk.' 2. The colloquial phrase 'on the sauce,' which refers to consuming alcohol, is used in dialogue.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes or mockery. Christian review outlets describe its overall worldview as 'strong moral pro-family.' However, a lyrical interpretation in one song suggesting 'there's no concrete death' could be seen as conflicting with some traditional Christian eschatological views, though it is likely intended metaphorically about memory or imagination.
1. The Christian review site Movieguide notes a lyric in a song that states 'there's no concrete death.' While likely symbolic of enduring memory or imagination, this phrase could be interpreted as a subtle divergence from some traditional Christian understandings of death and the afterlife. 2. The film's dominant worldview is described as 'strong moral pro-family,' promoting themes of mutual support, love for family, and helping others in need, which are generally congruent with Christian values.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Parental Guidance is recommended for children under 8, with suitability increasing for those aged 8 and above. This recommendation is due to mature thematic elements such as grief and financial distress, alongside several intense animated chase sequences and some contentious interpretations of song lyrics that may be unsettling for younger or more sensitive viewers.
Additional Notes
The film's runtime of 130 minutes may be lengthy for very young children. While the film is a sequel to the original 'Mary Poppins,' it tackles more somber themes of loss and financial struggle, making it potentially more emotionally taxing than its predecessor. The movie's strong emphasis on imagination and finding joy in difficult circumstances provides positive messages for family discussion.
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