Cast: Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ewan McGregor
Running time: 109 minutes

I haven’t seen its predecessor so I won’t be able to compare the two but as a standalone film, Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang has all the right ingredients to keep children and parents engaged for its entire running time of just over 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Written and starred again by the multi-talented Emma Thompson, this sequel has the added attraction of a stellar supporting cast made up of Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans and even an appearance by Ewan McGregor.

In this sequel, Nanny Mcphee comes to the aid of a struggling mother, named Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), whose husband is away fighting a war. She lives in a scenic valley with two sons and one daughter.

The fun starts when their two spoiled cousins are sent to live on their farm and the two sets of children form an instant dislike with each other. Cue chaos.

Throw in a sneaky brother-in-law with huge gambling debts, his cheerfully psychotic creditors, a dotty employer and mounting debts, Isabel is at her wit's end trying to maintain her sanity and hold onto her farm.

As the situation threatens to spiral out of control, enter the redoubtable Nanny McPhee who brings a much needed sense of order to the household.

Using her magic wand, Nanny McPhee impresses on the children the need to get along. She also introduces them to her five life lessons and soon earns their trust, as they set about saving the farm.

Thompson is excellent (as usual) as the titular character and there are accomplished performances from veteran actors and newcomers alike.

The spoiled city cousin and his country counterpart, played by Eros Vlahos and Asa Butterfield, are especially good, while Fiennes and Maggie Smith, as Isabel’s senile employer, play their roles with aplomb.

The gorgeous English countryside and the vivid colours used by director Susanna White give the film a vibrant and airy feel, while the authentic-looking period costumes add a realistic touch. She also does well with the pacing of the film, while James Newton Howard’s inspired score lends to the overall enjoyment of the film.

It’s not all magic and fantasy though as there is an underlying issue of absent fathers, which tie the two lead young actors together, making Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang a wholly satisfying watch for young and old alike. - Review by S.N.