When you need her but don’t want her, Nanny McPhee stays. Later, when you want her but don’t need her, she leaves. In her second film adventure, Nanny McPhee Returns, this bizarre-looking governess continues to fix almost impossible situations involving misbehaving youngsters. Yes, she resorts to magic – but what else would work with the five boisterous, unruly and rambunctious children depicted in this amusing sequel?

Taking place in England during the WWII era, Nanny McPhee Returns shows how firm the title character can be in carrying out her assignment. As in the first movie, she’s determined to teach her charges some important lessons, starting with “Stop fighting.” In the end, the kiddies have a better understanding of such values as courage, sharing, cooperation, imagination, trust and faith. Portrayed by a heavily made-up Emma Thompson (who also wrote the screen adaptation), Nanny McPhee comes across as a truly memorable film character. She looks quite creepy with her bulbous nose, snaggle-toothed mouth and wart-covered face. She’s also very serious -- not a bit overtly cheery like Mary Poppins. However, her weird appearance commands attention from the girls and boys she decides to supervise. Plus the way she uses her magical, all-powerful walking stick adds immensely to her authority. I would obey her right away!

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart) plays a mother taking care of a farm and her three children while her husband is away fighting the Germans. She also works in a small village shop and is trying to ignore her brother-in-law’s (Rhys Ifans) efforts to sell the old homestead. Complicating things even more, her spoiled niece and nephew have been sent from their posh life in London to the farm in order to keep them safe from bombing raids. Gyllenhaal adopts a beautiful British accent and succeeds in convincing me about her feelings of hopelessness underneath brave attempts to be optimistic.  

All this may seem rather bleak, but remember we’re dealing with Nanny McPhee, who can make delightful, magical sights appear while she’s “fixing” things. For example, have you ever seen piglets perform an Esther Williams-type synchronized swimming routine? If not, you’re in for a big treat here. And did you know a very smart bird can help defuse bombs? I didn’t think so. Chalk up another visual treat for Nanny McPhee Returns.    

Although the yelling and fighting among the film’s youngsters (Oscar Steer, Asa Butterfield, Lil Woods, Eros Vlahos, Rosie Taylor-Ritson) at the beginning of this film almost drove me crazy, I realize such awful behavior was necessary to let us know why Nanny McPhee took on this particular assignment. All the child actors impressed me, but Oscar Steer stands out. The youngest of the group, he’s ultra photogenic and quite genuine in his actions. Watch for a clever scene showing him scratching the piglets. Also, be on the lookout for surprising cameos by Ralph Fiennes (In Bruges) and Ewan McGregor (Deception).

Never mind that Ifans (Dancing at Lughnasa) goes a little over-the-top as the bumbling, conniving brother-in-law and that there’s too much poo in the beginning scenes and not enough of Maggie Smith’s character (Mrs. Docherty) throughout the movie. Nanny McPhee Returns may still work its spell on you. 

(Released by Universal Pictures and rated “PG” for rude humor, some language and mild thematic elements.)

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