Mary Poppins Returns (2018) review

Widower Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw), in financial trouble with the bank that he works for - they want to repossess his house because he can't pay back a dodgy loan - and left alone to raise three children, gets a surprise re-visit from flying nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt, quite conceited), who encourages the kids to bathe, takes them on wild adventures and yes, assists Michael in saving his home.  Most of this is rather routine (and contrived), with ample musical numbers about using your imagination and remembering what it's like to be a child and full of wonder (adulting is tough, sayeth the Millennials) - there's even a guest spot by Meryl Streep, who signed on so she could use what I'm guessing is a Russian accent - and the only inspired part is the Royal Doulton Bowl scene, which was hand-drawn (!) and a reminder of what Disney was capable of back in the olden days (when they weren't into recycling themselves).  For anyone who can't afford tickets to see Hamilton on stage, here's your chance to watch Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack the singing lamplighter in what's basically a replacement role for Dick Van Dyke's chimney sweep from the 1964 movie (although Mr. Van Dyke does have a cameo at the end to 'save the day' - where was he earlier?).