The Mamma Mia! sequel is even more fun, even more whacky, and even more fabulous than the first time. It takes you full of through a spectrum of emotion whilst filling you with joy at every moment. It also makes you want to get up on a table and belt the soundtrack, even though you usually refuse to do karaoke unless you’ve had eight pints.
After Mamma Mia! stole all the big hits, the sequel creators were left with some lesser loved tracks from Abba’s back catalog. The scene at the start of the movie when a graduating class sings When I Kissed The Teacher is one of the franchise’s less fine moments. That said, they get away with it because the movie is so high energy and doesn’t take itself to seriously. The best moments, however, were the remixes of Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia because let’s face it, those are the tracks we’re all not-so-secretly dying to sing along to.
The prequel-sequel concept was a little contrived but they pulled it off exceptionally well. The movie takes you along on a young Donna’s (Lilly James) journey after she graduates from Oxford and runs off on a permanent holiday. Equipped with a pair of dungarees and three gorgeous suitors, it’s hard not to feel a little envious of her adventurous lifestyle. The cast and the characters they play are all extremely likable so even when the writing falls a little flat, the audience remains fully engaged.
Naturally, another highlight was Cher’s appearance as Sophie’s grandmother. She makes her appearance in style, stepping out of a helicopter and stealing the show. Her rendition of ‘Fernando’ is quite possibly the best performance of the film.
Overall, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again did not disappoint. It is filled with deeply charming moments and is definitely one to watch again and again. Even with its contrived storyline and back-catalog musical flops, there is so much joy in the movie that you are forced to take your critical lenses out and enjoy the movie for what it is – the feel-good film of summer 2018.
4.5/5
