In a place we hold dear, where wonder once lived... but soon from above, a new story begins.

Disney's practically perfect nanny is back for Mary Poppins Returns, a long-belated sequel (54 years to be exact) to 1964's Mary Poppins starring Dame Julie Andrews. But this time, it's Emily Blunt who's descending from the clouds to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives.

Arriving just in time for Christmas, Mary Poppins Returns is poised to be a holiday favourite for the whole family, though it has an incredibly difficult task of rekindling the spirit of a beloved musical classic, widely considered to be Walt Disney's crowning live-action achievement.

Can it live up to the original?

Now that online reviews are beginning to roll in, let's find out what the critics have to say about one of the biggest releases of the year:

What Do The Critics Say?

Hot Off The Twitterverse  

#MaryPoppinsReturns is absolutely delightful, packed with old school charm and it keeps you smiling the entire time. So much color and warmth and wonder - a film about believing in the ones you love and loving to imagine the possibilities. 

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 30, 2018

Mary Poppins Returns is a exquisitely made film with delightful music, excellent performances (especially by Emily Blunt) & contagious optimism.

And yet...it felt SO similar to the original. New songs, better technology, same story & themes. I definitely recommend it though.

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) November 30, 2018

So #MaryPoppinsReturns is so much excellence. Emily Blunt will get all the noms, Lin-Manuel win all the hearts, and the music will be in your head and on your playlist for months.

— Joel Meares (@joelmeares) November 30, 2018

The Oscar race just got a BIG shake-up, because #MaryPoppinsReturns is sheer joy. Some of the most effortlessly charming (and catchy!) songs, performances, and BMX stunts I’ve seen on film in ages. A sequel this late shouldn’t be this good and yet...it absolutely is. It’s magic.

— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) November 30, 2018

I was in delight the entire way through #MaryPoppinReturns. It's faithful to the original without being beholden to it, and while there's very little narrative, it's so whimsical and heartfelt that it doesn't really matter. It's a lovely little spot of happy.

— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) November 30, 2018

Top 10 Popular Musical Movies Average Ratings (RT + MTC + IMDB):

1. Mary Poppins - 90

2. Enchanted - 80

3. Hairspray - 80

4. Mary Poppins Returns - 74

5. Moulin Rouge! - 73

6. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again - 68

7. Les Misérables - 69

8. Into the Woods - 68

9. The Greatest Showman - 60

10. Bohemian Rhapsody - 57

Photocredit @ Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Mary Poppins Returns opens in cinemas on 25 December 2018. 

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