It’s been 10 years, but the sequel to Mamma Mia has finally arrived to satisfy fans’ love of the comedic musical. Of course, we knew we were going to love the music walking into the theater, and our old favorites and some lesser known songs did not disappoint.
The movie’s plot has Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) restoring the Hotel Bella Donna for a grand reopening a year after her mother passed away. We see flashbacks throughout the movie as Sophie learns about her mother’s past. Relationships are revealed to show how things ended up in present day. For example, just exactly how Sophie got three dads. Lily James does an excellent job portraying a young Donna (Meryl Streep) starting back when she graduated from Oxford University with friends Tanya and Rosie. My friend Kristi and I liked the sentimentality of the backstory that this movie portrayed.
Fans’ reactions are buzzing about this movie. Some behind the scenes trivia includes that Benny Andersson, one of the members of ABBA, actually appears as a piano player in the “Waterloo” number in the film. Bjorn Ulvaeus, also an ABBA member, makes a cameo appearance in “When I Kissed the Teacher.” We gave the best singing award to Amanda Seyfried who starts off strong singing “I Have a Dream.”
In true fashion, Cher sweeps in for a dramatic ending singing “Fernando” to former flame Senor Cienfuegos played by Andy Garcia. Meryl Streep only makes a cameo singing appearance at the christening of Sophie’s new baby. It is interesting to note the difference in looks between Cher and Meryl Streep who are close in age, with one looking Hollywood glamorous and the other real and authentic.
This is definitely a movie for ABBA fans, who are sure to be quietly or more boisterously singing along and swaying with the familiar tunes, especially when the whole cast sings “Super Trouper.”
Movie times: click here
Genre: Comedy, Musical Theatre
Director: Ol Parker
Written By: Ol Parker, Richard Curtis, Catherine Johnson, Judy Craymer
Actors: Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep (cameo), Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Cher, Andy Garcia, Julie Walters and Lily James are just a few names of this all-star singing cast.
Running Time: 1 hour 54 minutes
Rating: PG-13
