Mamma Mia Review

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Review by Myla Tosatto

The original Mamma Mia was a great, big, splashy cheesefest! And it was incredible! Who doesn’t love cheese? Well, I’m happy to report that Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is baked in all that cheesy goodness, too! The sequel (prequel?- sequel/prequel hybrid?) doesn’t disappoint. The plot once again revolves around Abba songs. Perhaps real life should revolve around Abba songs.

To honor her mother Donna (Meryl Streep), Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) opens Hotel Bella Donna. This brings back the original cast from Mamma Mia: Sky (Dominic Copper), Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth), Bill (Stellan Skarsgard), Tanya (Christine Barnski), and Rosie (Juile Walters). Cher and Andy Garcia are also along in the present day storyline as well. Meanwhile, we see how young Donna (Lily James) came to live on the Greek Island, fall in love with the younger versions of Sam (Jeremy Irvine), Harry (Hugh Skinner), and Bill (Josh Dylan) and keep her best friends (Jessica Keenan Wynn as young Tanya and Alexa Davies as young Rosie)close. It sounds complicated when I write it. It isn’t. It’s a fluffy, fun musical.

Older kids are going to want to see it- especially those who love musicals and/or rom-coms. Keep in mind, that it does show how Sophie came to be (for those of you who haven’t seen Mamma Mia, Sophie has three dads- because Donna isn’t sure who Sophie’s father is). Not horriblly shocking, but it might bring up some questions for younger kids. Writer/director Ol Parker portrays Sophie’s birth onscreen. It may be the most lovely birth I have ever seen in a movie. That’s big stuff coming from an unsentimental gal such as myself. Of course, the song that is playing out at the time is enough to rip your heart out. Songs will do that sometimes.

Go, see this fun movie! Don’t take it too seriously! Don’t worry about plot being in line with lyrics from a 70’s Swedish rock group! Do dance along to Dancing Queen (because why wouldn’t you?)! Do aspire to be Cher!

Now playing in theaters!