Emma Thompson returns as Nanny McPhee in “Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang,” a sequel that trades the quiet charm of the first film for a bigger, busier picture. Directed by Susanna White, with a script from Thompson herself, the movie follows a harried mother raising three children while her husband fights in the Second World War. When two wealthy cousins arrive from the city, the household erupts into chaos that only a magical nanny can fix.
Trailer, via Universal Pictures.
The Setup
Isabel Green, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, runs a farm and a village shop while her husband Rory, played by Ewan McGregor, serves overseas. Her children Norman, Megsie and Vincent, played by Asa Butterfield, Lil Woods and Oscar Steer, clash with cousins Cyril and Celia, played by Eros Vlahos and Rosie Taylor-Ritson. Rhys Ifans plays Phil, the uncle who gambles away his share of the farm. Maggie Smith turns up as Mrs. Docherty, the shop owner.
The Magic
Nanny McPhee’s methods include:
- A flying motorcycle
- A statue that comes to life
- A tree-climbing piglet
- A baby elephant
Thompson uses these devices to teach the children five lessons. Once the children apologize, everything returns to normal, and the film loses its momentum.
The Trouble With Phil
Phil’s scheme to sell the farm drives the plot, but it feels thin compared to the family drama. Two hired assassins, played by Sinead Matthews and Katy Brand, chase him, and the children band together to stop the sale. This subplot is fine, but it doesn’t carry the weight of the film’s fantasy elements.
The Cousins
Cyril and Celia start as villains but soften by the end. Eros Vlahos and Rosie Taylor-Ritson play them as spoiled brats who become friends with Norman and Megsie. The transformation is sincere, but it happens quickly, and the film doesn’t give the audience enough time to care about the change.
The War
Rory’s death in the war is announced by telegram, and everyone except Norman believes the news. That scene lands well, but the film spends more time on the farm’s troubles than on the war itself. The ARP Warden, played by Sam Kelly, adds a touch of dread, but the threat of bombs feels more like a device than a genuine danger.
The Verdict
“Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang” has a strong cast and a few genuinely funny moments, but the magic wears thin fast. Thompson’s script is clever, and her performance as Nanny McPhee remains the best reason to watch. The children’s lessons are meant to feel meaningful, but they pass by too quickly to leave much of an impression.
The film earns $93.2 million on a $35 million budget, which is solid, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. This is a pleasant, occasionally charming family comedy that never quite reaches the heights of the original. It’s a good time with kids, but it’s not a great one.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
