Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
(B+ or 3/4 stars)
I have a penchant for movie musicals; especially those that feature talented actors, singers & dancers. I've always enjoyed ABBA songs; with their memorable melodies & harmonies. And I LOVED 2008's very cheesy Mamma Mia! So I was looking forward to this summer sequel 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' (directed by Ol Parker) and, while it lacks some of the cornball je ne sais quoi magic of the original, I definitely came away entertained.
While Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) deals with the stresses of opening a Greek hotel in her mother's honor, the film jumps back-&-forth in time to 1979 when we meet the lovely & spirited Lily James who plays young Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep as an adult). During the flashbacks, we learn just how Donna got pregnant some 25 yrs. ago & couldn't figure out who fathered Sophie. Following university, Donna leaves her 2 besties, Tanya & Rosie (Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies) to travel to the picturesque, fictional Greek isle, Kalokairi. But it is en route to Greece by way of Paris where Donna meets Harry (puppy dog-like Hugh Skinner), the 1st of her romances. Leaving him behind, it is Bill (blonde boy-toy, Josh Dylan) & his sailboat that rescues her when she misses the ferry to Kalokairi. Finally, alone in an abandoned farmhouse in the midst of a rainstorm, Donna flags down Sam (adorable Jeremy Irvine, of War Horse) on his motorbike to help her save a trapped horse.
Back in the 'now', Sophie has finally made Donna's dream of turning the dilapidated farmhouse into a luxury hotel come true. But husband Sky (Dominic Cooper) has been in NYC learning the hotel trade while Sophie, stepdad Sam (Pierce Brosnan), & hotel manager Mr. Cienfuegos (Andy Garcia) have worked hard to renovate the property. As they prepare for the grand opening, Tanya & Rosie (Christine Baranski, Julie Walters) arrive, but Sophie's other 2 dads, Harry (Colin Firth) & Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) aren't able to make it. A party-ruining thunderstorm looms, Sky is stuck in NY, emotions are running high for many a reason -- but the sight of an incoming helicopter on the horizon line might just turn things around for the better.
So yeah, I had a good time with this sequel. It takes a while to get going, has its moments in the middle, and then totally sticks the landing in the last half hour. Is this sequel necessary and, does everything make sense? No. But it offers frothy fun, energy & even some catharsis. It's interesting that the reviews for this film are better than the original; noting improved direction, writing, camerawork, choreography & costumes. I agree with all that. And yet, as other reviews have mentioned, there's just a little something missing -- even beyond Meryl Streep, who is present as little more than a glorified {and poignant} cameo. But truly, 'Mamma Mia! 2' {as I'll call it}, put a goofy grin on my face; a romp full of nostalgic songs, amiable performances & beautiful locales. The characterizations are thin, the construct of it all can barely be called a "movie"... and yet, like the original ... it's pretty irresistible.
I'd say that the ensemble musical numbers are this film's bread-&-butter and ... they don't disappoint; particularly Dancing Queen {just try not smiling through this gleeful scene} & Super Trouper {which uniquely unites the entire cast - young & old - all at once}. The ABBA soundtrack includes other repeat titles from the original like Mamma Mia {starting beautifully slow by Lily James, then bursting into an upbeat trio}, Waterloo, Knowing Me, Knowing You & I Have a Dream. The additional songs are lesser-known tunes like When I Kissed the Teacher {the 1st song we're thrust into}, Why Did It Have To Be Me?, Angel Eyes {engaging, thanks to Christine Baranski & Julie Walters}, Andante, Andante & My Love, My Life {grab the Kleenex, folks}. But the Piece de Resistance is a perfectly-timed rendition of Fernando by Cher, who is featured as Sophie's grandma. Love her or not, the movie - and the audience excitement - went up another notch once she showed up.
Lily James - so good in Downton Abbey & Cinderella - shines as the effervescent, carefree young Donna. She sings & dances wonderfully, and captures Donna's unbridled spirit {as Streep did 10 yrs. ago}. Streep, herself, is missed; though, her two late scenes leave an impact. The trio of men playing Donna's young lovers are solid -- particularly Josh Dylan & Jeremy Irvine. She's gorgeous, they're heartthrobs, & the romantic chemistry is palpable. Christine Baranski & Julie Walters are a hoot, again. Their younger versions Jessica Keenan Wynn & Alexa Davies deserve kudos for nailing the nuanced voices & attitudes of their older counterparts. And Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth & Dominic Cooper are all welcomed returnees.
Now, is this movie musical perfect? Of course not - some might even call it artless. Is this sequel a money grab? Sure. Like the original, is it corny? Yep. And as I've mentioned, the proceedings meander early in-btwn. the ABBA hits {lots of peripheral subplots}. But also like the original, it was easy for me to brush aside the flaws due to the overwhelmingly convivial nature of it all! I tapped my toes, mouthed the song lyrics, reveled in the sun-drenched Mediterranean setting, laughed a bit, held back a tear or two, & walked out grinning like a fool -- emotions like that can't be stifled. Every actor looked like they were "having the time of their life", and it's infectious. 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' offers simple-but-effective themes, fun entertainment, & a respite from the negativity engulfing the world of late.
While Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) deals with the stresses of opening a Greek hotel in her mother's honor, the film jumps back-&-forth in time to 1979 when we meet the lovely & spirited Lily James who plays young Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep as an adult). During the flashbacks, we learn just how Donna got pregnant some 25 yrs. ago & couldn't figure out who fathered Sophie. Following university, Donna leaves her 2 besties, Tanya & Rosie (Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies) to travel to the picturesque, fictional Greek isle, Kalokairi. But it is en route to Greece by way of Paris where Donna meets Harry (puppy dog-like Hugh Skinner), the 1st of her romances. Leaving him behind, it is Bill (blonde boy-toy, Josh Dylan) & his sailboat that rescues her when she misses the ferry to Kalokairi. Finally, alone in an abandoned farmhouse in the midst of a rainstorm, Donna flags down Sam (adorable Jeremy Irvine, of War Horse) on his motorbike to help her save a trapped horse.
Back in the 'now', Sophie has finally made Donna's dream of turning the dilapidated farmhouse into a luxury hotel come true. But husband Sky (Dominic Cooper) has been in NYC learning the hotel trade while Sophie, stepdad Sam (Pierce Brosnan), & hotel manager Mr. Cienfuegos (Andy Garcia) have worked hard to renovate the property. As they prepare for the grand opening, Tanya & Rosie (Christine Baranski, Julie Walters) arrive, but Sophie's other 2 dads, Harry (Colin Firth) & Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) aren't able to make it. A party-ruining thunderstorm looms, Sky is stuck in NY, emotions are running high for many a reason -- but the sight of an incoming helicopter on the horizon line might just turn things around for the better.
So yeah, I had a good time with this sequel. It takes a while to get going, has its moments in the middle, and then totally sticks the landing in the last half hour. Is this sequel necessary and, does everything make sense? No. But it offers frothy fun, energy & even some catharsis. It's interesting that the reviews for this film are better than the original; noting improved direction, writing, camerawork, choreography & costumes. I agree with all that. And yet, as other reviews have mentioned, there's just a little something missing -- even beyond Meryl Streep, who is present as little more than a glorified {and poignant} cameo. But truly, 'Mamma Mia! 2' {as I'll call it}, put a goofy grin on my face; a romp full of nostalgic songs, amiable performances & beautiful locales. The characterizations are thin, the construct of it all can barely be called a "movie"... and yet, like the original ... it's pretty irresistible.
I'd say that the ensemble musical numbers are this film's bread-&-butter and ... they don't disappoint; particularly Dancing Queen {just try not smiling through this gleeful scene} & Super Trouper {which uniquely unites the entire cast - young & old - all at once}. The ABBA soundtrack includes other repeat titles from the original like Mamma Mia {starting beautifully slow by Lily James, then bursting into an upbeat trio}, Waterloo, Knowing Me, Knowing You & I Have a Dream. The additional songs are lesser-known tunes like When I Kissed the Teacher {the 1st song we're thrust into}, Why Did It Have To Be Me?, Angel Eyes {engaging, thanks to Christine Baranski & Julie Walters}, Andante, Andante & My Love, My Life {grab the Kleenex, folks}. But the Piece de Resistance is a perfectly-timed rendition of Fernando by Cher, who is featured as Sophie's grandma. Love her or not, the movie - and the audience excitement - went up another notch once she showed up.
Lily James - so good in Downton Abbey & Cinderella - shines as the effervescent, carefree young Donna. She sings & dances wonderfully, and captures Donna's unbridled spirit {as Streep did 10 yrs. ago}. Streep, herself, is missed; though, her two late scenes leave an impact. The trio of men playing Donna's young lovers are solid -- particularly Josh Dylan & Jeremy Irvine. She's gorgeous, they're heartthrobs, & the romantic chemistry is palpable. Christine Baranski & Julie Walters are a hoot, again. Their younger versions Jessica Keenan Wynn & Alexa Davies deserve kudos for nailing the nuanced voices & attitudes of their older counterparts. And Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth & Dominic Cooper are all welcomed returnees.
Now, is this movie musical perfect? Of course not - some might even call it artless. Is this sequel a money grab? Sure. Like the original, is it corny? Yep. And as I've mentioned, the proceedings meander early in-btwn. the ABBA hits {lots of peripheral subplots}. But also like the original, it was easy for me to brush aside the flaws due to the overwhelmingly convivial nature of it all! I tapped my toes, mouthed the song lyrics, reveled in the sun-drenched Mediterranean setting, laughed a bit, held back a tear or two, & walked out grinning like a fool -- emotions like that can't be stifled. Every actor looked like they were "having the time of their life", and it's infectious. 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' offers simple-but-effective themes, fun entertainment, & a respite from the negativity engulfing the world of late.