Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is both a sequel and prequel to Mamma Mia! (2008). Part of this movie tells the story of how free-sprit Donna Sheridan (played marvelously by Lily James) both found her way to the idyllic island of Kalokairi in the Aegean Sean and got pregnant with her daughter, Sophie. The sequel part features a grown up Sophie (played by Amanda Segfried) who has restored the hotel Donna built as a tribute to her mother. Of course, there are problems. Sophie’s lover, Sky (Dominic Cooper), considers a job offer in New York City which would separate him from Sophie. Young Donna chases her destiny. Sophie’s “fathers” (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skaragard) each face “issues” in their lives.
No matter, the energy powering these Mamma Mia! movies is the ABBA music. Christine Baranski steals every scene she’s in. Andy Garcia provides some impressive gravitas. Cher dominates the last 20 minutes of the film. If you’re in the mood for a musical confection, give Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again a try. GRADE: B
I’ll be in line right behind Cap’n Bob. Never a fan of Abba’s bubblegum pop. Nor a fan of Cher who churned out awful records like Half Breed and Gypsies Tramps and Thieves throughout the 80’s. And did not anyone notice that Lily James looks nothing like Meryl Streep? A lot of talented actor/actresses in this film but it’s not for me.
Steve, the cast and the music are the selling points of this movie. Lily James is poised to became a Big Star!
I don’t watch Streep or Cher! The review I heard was lukewarm to this show!
Bob, ROTTEN TOMATOES rates MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN at 78.
Ditto. Remember when Cher could act? I get the point – money, obviously, duh – but why kill Meryl off and yet have her in the movie? Talk about wanting to have your cake and eat it too, or something. If she’s dead and gone, she shouldn’t be in it. But then, if I felt like seeing MAMMA MIA it would be the live musical, not this crap.
Jeff, it’s all about the MONEY!
I loved the first one, and will definitely see this one. Our paper raved about Lily James. I love abba’s music (most of it) for bouncy cheerfulness. There’s a Liz Evans book that starts out with the protagonist trying to round up an animal using an abba song. Don’t remember the title.
Maggie, there are some new songs in MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN. I ordered the soundtrack. Lily James brightens up every scene she’s in!
Not my cup of meat, as Dylan says. Didn’t see the first one; won’t see this one. I do remember Lily James from “Downton Abbey”, and I think she was in a pretty good movie called “Baby Driver”. She does seem poised for stardom.
She was also in the new CINDERELLA. I haven’t watched the new WAR AND PEACE (she was Natasha) yet.
Michael, Lily James can act and sing! She’s in the best scenes of MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN.
Skip, I think. The title makes me think of spicy meat balls…
Rick, the title makes me think of “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!” classic ALKA-SELTZER commercial.
Yes, though I was thinking of the Chef Boyarde commercial “Now THAT’S a spicy meatball!”
“Mama mia, that’s-a one spicy meatball,” was a commercial for Alka Seltzer in 1969 starring Howard Zieff.
Bob, those Alka Seltzer commercials became legends!
I will be seeing this to honor Bill Crider who was a huge ABBA fan. I will make that sacrifice for him.
Scott, you are a true friend! I think Bill would have enjoyed Lily James’s performance. And the music.
Well, George, Bill’s Birthday is this coming Saturday the 28th. Singing along to ABBA as I type this hoping he is not offended by flat, off key non karaoke songs! I still miss Jim each day
Scott, I miss Bill, too. And Judy. They were a unique pair!