When this film was announced, it seemed like one of those bad ideas to me. I had no idea why they would go and make another musical based on the music of ABBA. I thought, at that time, that the world was already plagued with their infectious earworms of songs that drove white people of all ages to pure caucasity. I then gave this film a chance, and I was actually pleasantly surprised.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), as she finally fixes the hotel that her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) had spent her life building. She really doesn't care who her dad is anymore as she settles for the Holy Trinity of James Bond, King George VI, and Dr. Erik Selvig as her shared fathers. Donna has now passed, and Sophie is ready to honor Donna in this miraculous way. As she continues Donna's legacy, she (and the audience) begin to find out more about young Donna (Lily James) and how she came to the island.
The film surprises in that it uses songs by ABBA not previously used in the first film in a clever and inventive way. The dancing and acting out of these songs makes them feel like the first time you've ever heard them. The young stars cast in the roles of the actors when they were younger were all brilliant, but Lily James steals the show. She has all the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Meryl Streep down pat, and you do really believe, as the viewer, that she really is Donna. Amanda Seyfried, with her amazing trained vocals, has finally proved that she can carry a film on her own, and she doesn't need any help. It is time to give her credit for being one of the most talented actresses and musical stars in the game. The film also brilliantly adds cameos from Cher, Andy Garcia, and Meryl Streep. It was almost like they were pushing for Streep's 22nd Oscar nomination. Songs like Waterloo, When I Kissed the Teacher, and Angel Eyes were implemented seamlessly into the film.
Though the film had some great triumphs within it, it was filled with lots of faux pas. The film partially takes place in 1979-1980, as Donna's character becomes pregnant within the prequel aspect of the film. It was mentioned in the previous film that there was a particular order in which Donna hooked up with the men. The order was Sam on July 16th, Bill on August 4th, and Harry on August 11th. The sequel goes directly against the deep-rooted tradition that is Mamma Mia! lore and totally screws this order up. Also, the films takes place in the before mentioned time period and 5 years after the original film. In the original film, Sophie is only 20, so this must mean she is 25. I'm terrible at math, but by my calculations, 1980 +25= 2005. If the second film does take place in 2005, why does everyone have current iPhones and Windows tablets? Everyone also knows these ideas that were still in the wombs of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates in 2005. If some crappy blogger sitting at home in his boxers can figure this out, shouldn't a big studio who hires people specifically for this reason be able to?
Not to nitpick, but the repetition of Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia! as featured songs in the first and second film felt incredibly redundant. Maybe this was due to the lazy staging in the second film that just wanted a lot of people dancing so we wouldn't focus on the poor vocal rendition.
All in all, this film was an enjoyable flick most of the family could see. it normalizes having 3 dads, so there it has now cured America of Maury. Who cares who the baby daddy is anymore? We can all get along! This film was fun, but it proved the Holylwood is lazy and doesn't care.
Grade: (7/10)
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), as she finally fixes the hotel that her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) had spent her life building. She really doesn't care who her dad is anymore as she settles for the Holy Trinity of James Bond, King George VI, and Dr. Erik Selvig as her shared fathers. Donna has now passed, and Sophie is ready to honor Donna in this miraculous way. As she continues Donna's legacy, she (and the audience) begin to find out more about young Donna (Lily James) and how she came to the island.
The film surprises in that it uses songs by ABBA not previously used in the first film in a clever and inventive way. The dancing and acting out of these songs makes them feel like the first time you've ever heard them. The young stars cast in the roles of the actors when they were younger were all brilliant, but Lily James steals the show. She has all the mannerisms and idiosyncrasies of Meryl Streep down pat, and you do really believe, as the viewer, that she really is Donna. Amanda Seyfried, with her amazing trained vocals, has finally proved that she can carry a film on her own, and she doesn't need any help. It is time to give her credit for being one of the most talented actresses and musical stars in the game. The film also brilliantly adds cameos from Cher, Andy Garcia, and Meryl Streep. It was almost like they were pushing for Streep's 22nd Oscar nomination. Songs like Waterloo, When I Kissed the Teacher, and Angel Eyes were implemented seamlessly into the film.
Though the film had some great triumphs within it, it was filled with lots of faux pas. The film partially takes place in 1979-1980, as Donna's character becomes pregnant within the prequel aspect of the film. It was mentioned in the previous film that there was a particular order in which Donna hooked up with the men. The order was Sam on July 16th, Bill on August 4th, and Harry on August 11th. The sequel goes directly against the deep-rooted tradition that is Mamma Mia! lore and totally screws this order up. Also, the films takes place in the before mentioned time period and 5 years after the original film. In the original film, Sophie is only 20, so this must mean she is 25. I'm terrible at math, but by my calculations, 1980 +25= 2005. If the second film does take place in 2005, why does everyone have current iPhones and Windows tablets? Everyone also knows these ideas that were still in the wombs of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates in 2005. If some crappy blogger sitting at home in his boxers can figure this out, shouldn't a big studio who hires people specifically for this reason be able to?
Not to nitpick, but the repetition of Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia! as featured songs in the first and second film felt incredibly redundant. Maybe this was due to the lazy staging in the second film that just wanted a lot of people dancing so we wouldn't focus on the poor vocal rendition.
All in all, this film was an enjoyable flick most of the family could see. it normalizes having 3 dads, so there it has now cured America of Maury. Who cares who the baby daddy is anymore? We can all get along! This film was fun, but it proved the Holylwood is lazy and doesn't care.
Grade: (7/10)
