Mary Poppins (1964)

Director: Robert Stevenson
Stars: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson
Runtime: 139 minutes

Synopsis: Mr. Banks hires Mary Poppins, a perfect in every way nanny, to take care of his children.

• Performances: 8/10

Why? Yes, most performances do feel a bit dated, but the one that matters most aged like fine wine. Julie Andrews, in the role of everyone's favorite nanny, is an absolute joy to watch. She brings the charm, charisma, and magic that made Mary Poppins the iconic character she is today, earning her a well-deserved Oscar win along the way.  

• Screenplay: 8/10

Why? A near-perfect family movie, "Mary Poppins" has it all. From lovable characters to rich themes that are still relevant today, it's the kind of movie every family should experience at least once together. It will still leave a big smile on anyone's face, despite having a pretty straightforward story.  

• Special Effects: 7/10

Why? Even though the film won the Oscar for that category in 1965, the special effects used don't hold up today. However, they do contribute to the film's charm by constantly reminding us of the film's release date.  

• Costumes/Makeup: 9/10

Why? One look at any character's costume design and you'll immediately get an idea of that character's personality.

• Editing: 7/10

Why? "Mary Poppins" is almost two and a half hours long, and even though it manages to keep its audience interested and invested in what's going on for most of it, I did feel that it dragged at times. Some dance numbers could've been shortened as well.

• Cinematography: 8/10

Why? A feast for the eyes, "Mary Poppins" doesn't only deliver colorful characters, but is also presented in a colorful way. It also gives us one of the most talked about sequences ever put to screen with a trip to a world that blends live-action and animation and that feels magical from start to finish. 

• Score/Soundtrack: 10/10

Why? Probably what the film's most known for. The magical Oscar-winning score is still one of the best ever written, so is the soundtrack which features iconic songs that are still played and enjoyed to this day. In a word, it's simply supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. 

FINAL GRADE: 8/10