Whether you’re an ABBA fan or not, this is a swirl of fluffy cotton candy that’s sometimes a little too sweet, but hard to resist. It’s meant to tug at the heart strings. This is a prequel and a sequel all in one. Most everybody’s back with a couple surprises, so there’s a lot to see and hear. This film is a good summer escape from whatever’s going on in your life and the world.
It takes place 10 years later and Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is nostalgic making her mother’s dream come true to create a hotel on that gorgeous Greek island. Seyfried has matured and takes on the role with purpose. The stunning blue waters and white cliffs with colorful costumes, food and drinks present even more eye candy. You may want to book that trip to Greece before the end credits pop up.
But the storyline, written and directed by Ol Parker (The Best and Second Best Marigold Hotel), bounces around, sometimes incongruously, with flashbacks starting in the late 70’s when ABBA music was at it’s peak. It can be confusing but you’ll eventually catch on to who’s past and who’s present. You’ll also hear some ABBA songs not heard in the first film along with some of your favorites repeated in this one.
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The film opens with young Donna (Lily James – Cinderella) as a wild child graduating. As valedictorian she turns graduation into a raucous musical number that even gets the teachers on their feet. James is a force to be reckoned with. Her smile and her energy put out mega wattage. We also meet her besties, young Tanya (Jessica Keenan Wynn- Broadway’s Beautiful, then all grown up played by the fabulously amusing Christine Baranski), and Rosie (Alexa Davies- A Brilliant Young Mind, then as an adult by the crackerjack funny Julie Walters.)
Back in the 70’s, after graduation, young Donna takes off for Europe looking for adventure. No plan. No worries. She a guy magnet who finds company wherever she goes. The film bounces around giving her a chance to hook up with the men who later became Sophie’s 3 Dads. She falls in love while singing with all of them. It’s “Waterloo” with preppie young Harry (Hugh Skinner- Kill Your Friends). She sails away with hunky blond sailor, young Bill (Josh Dylan – Allied), and calms a horse caught in a big storm with young Sam (Jeremy Irvine – War Horse). The choreography with the boys and their dance moves could have all used a little help.These heartthrobs are cute, but we didn’t find them all that engaging.
Back to Sophie present. Wait! Where is Donna? What happened to Meryl Streep? No explanation. Sophie is carrying on creating Hotel Donna in tribute to her Mom, but without her. And without her love, Sky (Dominic Cooper- Mamma Mia, Preacher, Agent Carter) who she sent to New York City to learn the hospitality business to help run the hotel. Is he not coming back? The hotel opening is coming up and sadly for Sophie, only one of her three Dads will be there. Jeremy (Pierce Brosnan) is already on the island, but Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) can’t make it either. A terrible storm destroys everything to further spoil her dream.
Never fear, somehow, through trials and tribulations, everybody shows up. The scene with all the decorated boats coming towards the dock on the sparkling azure blue water is a picture postcard. And the singing and dancing add to the celebration. Sophie and Sky get back together. Christine Baranski and Julie Walters get to strut their stuff with Amanda Seyfried in their own production number. It’s fun, colorful and they look great doing it.
Even, surprise, surprise, evil Grandmama played by Cher makes a grand entrance. Cher is a good sport. She plays it to the hilt, looking and sounding amazing in a sexy duet singing “Fernando” with Andy Garcia. It’s a show stopper. Cher said she was terrified about singing an ABBA classic in the film afraid she wouldn’t do it right but loved every minute doing it. She’s even going to record more ABBA songs on her new album in the works. But she especially loved being in the film with one of her very best long time friends, Meryl Streep.
Even though, in the film, Donna has passed, she appears in a scene in the church. Meryl Streep, as Donna, shows up in spirit singing with Sophie. It’s meant to pull hard on those heartstrings. Streep has a great voice and gives the scene one of the more tender moments in the film. Yes, it’s sappy. You may even tear up. All’s well that ends well. Then everybody gets into the act for the grand finale. ABBA fans ate it up. One thing for sure, the cast always looks like they’re having “the time of their lives.” So much so, they’re not done yet. There’s talk about making yet another sequel, Mamma Mia 3! Looks like the Dancing Queen will be twirling again.
Universal Pictures 114 minutes PG-13
