Disney Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary on Blu-ray Review

Disney released Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary from its vault and it is now available on spectacular Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD today (December 10, 2013)! Starring Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in her Academy-Award winning role, the beloved movie features family favorite songs such as the iconic toe-tapping “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”  A stunning all-new digital restoration adds even more magic—helping to bring the classic movie back to life like never before.  Take it home for the holidays and experience the magic, music, and joy of Marry Poppins with a whole new generation for the first time on Disney Blu-ray.

Talent:

Julie Andrews (The Sounds of Music, Princess Diaries) as Mary Poppins; Dick Van Dyke (TV’s “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” Night at the Museum) as Bert/Mr. Dawes Senior; David Tomlinson (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Love Bug) as Mr. Banks; Glynis Johns (The Court Jester, While You Were Sleeping) as Mrs. Banks; Karen Dotrice (The Gnome-Mobile, Upstairs, Downstairs) as Jane Banks; Mathew Garber (The Gnome-Mobile, The Three Lives of Thomasina)  as Michael Banks.

New Bonus Features:

BLU-RAY & HD DIGITAL:

• Mary-OKE’s – New piece highlights popular music from the film, specifically “Spoon Full of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” Step In Time,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and allows viewer to sing-along to animated words that display onscreen in unique ways.

• Becoming Mr. Sherman (TBC by theatrical team): Join actor Jason Schwartzman as he sits down for a fun and musical-filled afternoon with Richard Sherman. In the new film, SAVING MR BANKS, Schwartzman portrays the Disney Legend… half of the famous composing team, the Sherman Brothers who wrote all the classic songs from MARY POPPINS, as well as many other favorites. Hear heartwarming, revealing stories about the making of this beloved musical, get more insight on working with Walt Disney, and get a unique sneak peek into SAVING MR BANKS, starring Tom Hanks, and Emma Thompson.

My Thoughts

Mary Poppins takes me on a trip down memory lane when times were more cheerful and wholesome. I have not seen the film for years and forgot just how entertaining it is. For anyone who has not seen the movie, it is about a nanny (Julie Andrews) who has special magical powers and glides in to care for the Banks children; Jane and Michael.  She takes the children on fun adventures with her friend Bert (Dick Van Dyke ),  a quirky street performer/chimney sweeper through the countryside.   Using her magic, Mary gets the children to enjoy tasks such as cleaning up and eventually gets the father (David Tomlinson )to realize how much he is missing out by not spending time with his children.  Once she feels her job is complete, she opens her umbrella and flies away.

Mary Poppins is a heartwarming classic filled with fun songs, a bit of whimsical animation thrown in, and has a wonderful moral message!  It is an exceptional highly amusing movie that can truly be watched over and over again.  In fact, it is so fantastic the viewer will even forgive Dick Van Dyke’s ghastly attempt at a British accent!

Buy It

Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) has a suggested retail price of $39.99, but is currently on sale at Amazon.com for $24.99!  Makes an awesome gift for the holidays!