Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Director: Ol Parker

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan

Review Author: Tiffany

I know what you’re thinking: “there’s a sequel to that, is there enough ABBA songs for that?”. The answer is no, no there is not. But, by gosh, they tried!

Mamma Mia is something of a wonder, it’s fantastical realism at its very best, just as all musicals should be. And yet, it has managed to carve itself out a very specific look and feel that makes the movie something of a modern cult classic. Plus, of course, the fact that it’s ABBA and people kinda love ABBA.

In an act of cinematic genius, this film is simultaneously a prequel and a sequel. Mind= blown. It looks at the history of Donna (Meryl Streep in the first film) and the infamous 3 suitors (we’ll all just pretend this is not covered in the first song of the first film). All jokes aside, the storytelling in this film is pretty impressive, you follow two separate stories at two separate times quite easily. They allow the audience to easily connect what they already know about these characters to develop the story and characters further.

One flaw, however, is casting. Young Harry and young Sam look way too similar, and most of the time I had no idea who they were meant to be. This stems from the fact that “old” Harry and Sam are played by none other than Pearse Brosnan and Colin Firth, but I still don’t know which is Harry and which is Sam. Because they will always be Pearse Brosnan and Colin Firth, you don’t bother properly learning their character names because you can easily tell them apart. But the younger versions, not a chance.

Now, to the good stuff, here is a little breakdown of all the songs and a sentence or two about what I was thinking while watching that song. I looked up the soundtrack on Spotify and didn’t Google them or anything so these are genuine first reactions, 12 hours later.

When I kissed a teacher: cycling and singing and jumping, yes Mamma Mia, yes.

I wonder: literally no memory of this at all

One of Us: Dominic Cooper has gotten old, also, are they breaking up, is that what’s happening because if they are I want out.

Waterloo: there is a lot going on here, and it’s great. But, is this meant to be young Pearse Brosnan or young Colin Firth, the accent is definitely meant to be helping me, but it definitely isn’t.

Why did it have to be me?: according to Spotify, 3 people sing this song and I do not know who the third person is. It’s young Bill and young Donna, no? On the boat?

I have a dream: why is Amanda Seyfried not singing? I love her voice, she sang this in the first one and it was great. Not that this is bad, I just love Amanda Seyfried.

Kisses of fire: strange, but at this point, I’m so deep I accept it.

Andante, Andante: what do those words mean? Wow ABBA were a bit risque weren’t they? I think I’d even sleep with her by the end of this, nevermind Harry, or Sam, seriously which one is that?

The name of the game: does this make any sense?

Knowing me, knowing you: ahaaa-a.

Angel eyes: Julie Walters, what a gem.

Mamma Mia:  Yup, there it is.

Dancing queen: this is the most “Mamma Mia” song in Mamma Mia 2, it’s just fabulous. However, the top Sophie is wearing is just not for dancing, a true dancing queen would have been prepared for this.

I’ve been waiting for you: she’s still wearing that top, now as like a scarf, who made these decisions?

Fernando: best beginning to a song ever, plus, it’s Cher. Simultaneously “wow it’s Cher” and “of course it’s Cher, where else would she be?”

My love, my life: this was too emotional, like “slipping through my fingers” but way worse, like WAY worse.

Super Trouper: Yes, so much yes. Seems obvious they put the actor’s names over their individual bits though? Who are all these people?