The story of Mary Poppins had many adaptations over the years, but the Disney movie seemed to take hold of audiences more than any other. With Jason Shwartzman (Rushmore, Moonrise Kingdom) and B. J. Novak (The US Office, Inglorious Basterds), seen in the trailer portraying the Sherman Brothers, they are initially rejected by Travers as she makes her decision whether to let the company gain the rights to make Poppins a movie. Saving Mr. Banks promises to be an incredible and delightful story for die hard Disney fans, and moviegoers alike. If like me you were a child of the 90s, and loved almost every musical journey that the company, post Walt Disney's death in 1966 created, you will most likely have seen the classics like Mary Poppins on TV or VCR, and perhaps even been to Broadway or the West End to see it live on stage. I myself am an admiringly crazy Disney fan, but have always responded to the nostalgia and happiness found in yesteryear that Walt Disney himself aimed to create when building the most magical place on earth...Disneyland.This Summer I was delighted to open a package on my birthday that contained some of the rare Walt Disney Treasures box sets, that were released almost ten years go. With collections of classic cartoons starring Mickey, Donald and Goofy, and also containing the famous broadcasts of the Disneyland TV show, that were hosted by Walt Disney and aired from December 1956 onwards . The treasures contained in these bundles of joy seem to resonate in the scenes depicted in the trailer for Saving Mr. Banks. Notably those of Tom Hanks showing Emma Thompson around the theme park and then saying "when does anyone get to go to Disneyland with Walt Disney himself". All of this seems to fall short in the character's eyes in one large effort to persuade her to allow him the rights to make the Mary Poppins movie. It is clear that Tom Hanks aims to capture the intention of Walt Disney's promise to his children, that he would make movies and theme parks that would allow anyone to escape the troubles of life and embark on a magical journey that flows from a better time.
Main Street Disneyland itself (the theme park's entrance) was built to show the more simple life of frontier America, where Disney had decided all people would be able to escape en route out of the troubles of modern life. This was not the only genius concept that the man created, and with multiple parks around the world with different areas such as: Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, and the Animal Kingdom. Walt Disney created a place on earth where the inventions of tomorrow, and the history of mankind could be shared in one large attraction. With the ever flowing films of both animation and live action, the Disney theme parks became something of an iconic attraction to people around the world who wanted to be immersed in their favourite Disney movie. The park in Orlando Florida (Walt Disney World) not to be confused with Disneyland (California), where I vacationed many times during my own childhood (spoilt I know), and where my love of classic Disney animation and film began; has just finished renovating and building a new area dubbed 'New Fantasyland'. This area blends together the architecture and stories found in animation's Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Dumbo. The theme park will immerse the visitor in: Belle's Village, Dumbo's Circus, and Beast's Castle, aiming to attract a new generation of children and adults alike, especially if they are of my generation, but also keeping in touch with the past, and making sure there are plenty of attractions that will keep the classic movies in the publics imagination.
The D23 Expo (kind of a Comic Con for Disney fans), has also reinvigorated the desperation for the public to know more about what Disney attractions, movies, and events are upcoming. An entire lifestyle seems to exist as both the younger and older generations trade in knowledge, story, and merchandise without a thought as to how brilliant the company is at keeping us engrossed in the fantasy they have created and maintained. With the release of Saving Mr. Banks, rumours surrounding the secretive project Tomorrowland (2014), set to star George Clooney under the direction of Brad Bird, has ushered in an intense process of fans trying to find out what the film is about. At one time it was rumoured to be a film depicting the story of the creation of Disneyland itself. An image of a briefcase containing old documents such as letters and images of Walt Disney, in an attempt to tease the fans early last year, seems to have now backfired. According to online sources following this years D23 Expo, the film will not be following the path of Saving Mr. Banks, but instead is suggested to be a totally knew adventure about an inventor named Frank Walker (George Clooney) who returns to a magical dimension he discovered in his youth called Tomorrowland.
Saving Mr. Banks will be floating down on an umbrella to your nearest cinema or multiplex this December. The film also stars: Bradley Whitford, Paul Giamatti, Colin Farrell, Rachel Griffiths, and Ruth Wilson. The trailer can be viewed below or on the link provided:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5kYmrjongg
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