Last week I joined the huge hype surrounding the new Mamma Mia film out in cinemas. I always feel a little dubious when it comes to the second film of a trilogy or more because a small part of me worries that none of the following ones will be as good as the first. From experience they never usually are.
Take Shrek for a rather childish but brilliant example and the first that came to me. The first one is brilliant, full of wit and classic lines which are frequently referred to in adult conversations today. Neither second nor third is anywhere near as good, in my opinion of course.
Whether it’s my personal preference in the songs, or the fact that it brings cheesiness to another level, I personally felt that Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again was better than the first film and this might be the first time that I have discovered this.
I am glad to say that the majority of people that I’ve spoken to agree, though there are some bah-humbugs among them.
Not being the biggest fan of Abba, what I love most about the first Mamma Mia is definitely the feel-good factor. Of course I knew every word to every song (who doesn’t?) and agree that Piers Brosnan has a questionable singing talent. I also cringed at some of the cheesier moments but overall I loved it and it has been a go to choice of easy watching whenever I need cheering up or my good mood to remain.
I thought the same and more of the second film. Most of the songs were ones I hadn’t actually heard from Abba and I definitely liked the set list better. They were a pleasant surprise and what surprised me further was when my friend had to ask if that was Cher singing Fernando at the end. Duh.
Gutted that Meryl Streep didn’t appear until the final scenes, I particularly loved the christening scene where she sings ‘My Love, My Life’ with Amanda Seyfried in a beautiful duet. I loved how it mirrored the similar scene in the first film with ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ as the chosen song. Just perfect.
I thought the film was cleverly written and seeing Richard Curtis’ name in the writers credits made me aware as to why. The old and young versions of Rosie and Tanya were as brilliant as each other, having found Julie Walters and Christine Baranski fabulous in the first one.
Not only did the female young and old versions live up to the comedy of the first but the male youngsters were also brilliant (and better singers too).
I also thought that Lily James did an epic job and played her part extremely well, getting fully involved and having as much fun on screen as the audience was watching.
There were some classic comedy lines throughout and one of my personal favorites was one Rosie says to Tanya: “My soul mate may actually be carbs.” and Tanya replies “Mine must be wine.” Highly relatable to many of us, I think. Though it might just be to me.
To those haters out there who are focusing on the cringe-factor, is that not the entire point? As cheesy as a lot of moments were, that is how the show is intended and as cringe-worthy as they are, they are supposed to make you laugh, which they did to myself and everybody else in the full cinema at the time.
As much as you hate Abba, as much as you may hate cheese, give the film a chance and see for yourself. You cannot come out of it anything but happy and you will be singing the songs for days.
Ultimately, I loved the entire thing, am not ashamed to say and would definitely go again. Until then, I’ll just keep on brightening my morning moods with the soundtrack on repeat.