Rob Ryan Movie Reviews - Mamma Mia 2

23rd July 2018

As a fan of film as an artform, one of the phrases that gets tossed around a lot in the community especially in regards to recent summer blockbusters is "why would they make a sequel/reboot/remake to this great film and make it terrible". Very rarely do you see the complete opposite. A film that takes all the bad elements of its predecessor and makes them work. Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again is that complete polar opposite, a film that takes that cringe fest that the film and the play was and turn it into something wonderful, hopeful, joyful and even manages to both compelling and emotional. You already can tell from my previous sentence that I'm not a fan of Mamma Mia both the play and the film from 2008. I have just stabbed a bunch of family members in the back by saying those words but I can't lie to myself. The biggest problem for me is that it felt like a series of big, elaborate musical numbers randomly shoved for no rhyme or reason loosely connected by a story that is both dumb and nonsensical. The only reason I can gather for why people love its so much is the soundtrack and nothing else. Not that I have anything against ABBA as I have been exposed to their music for most of my life after my family's love for them and have a strong admiration for them because of it but the songs used in Mamma Mia! don't tell us much about the characters, what they're feeling, or push the story forward. They feel too out of place, shoved into a story where they don't belong. This is one of the many things Here We Go Again does so much better then the former. The musical numbers work well to guide the viewer through each emotional beat and story point. They help match the mood of each scene and what the characters are thinking and feeling. Whereas Mamma Mia! was random with its use of ABBA songs. Here We Go Again uses them to its fullest potential.

But it's not just its use of ABBA songs that separates it perfectly from the play and the film. Writer and director Ol Parker who previous credits include writing the two Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films is able to add more substance and depth towards the characters than the play and the 2008 ever could. As well as being a whimsical jukebox musical, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again manages to be a story of grief and how to turn that sadness into happiness. As we follow young Donna (perfectly played by Lily James) we are given brief glimpses of her sad upbringing. Having been abandoned by her mother and having no farther figure to guide her, we see the many ways where she tries to see the good and the positive in everything, particularly through song. A good example is when the Mamma Mia number shows up. At this point in the story, Donna feels a ton of betrayal and heartbreak. The song even starts quiet and almost sad like, but as it progresses the song allows her to express her true feelings while at the same time turning them into something euphoric simply because Donna no matter what situation she's in is able to feel so much, both bad and good. That theme also applies to Sophie's arc. As she's currently grieving over her mother's death, she is hoping to turn that into something positive by reopening her hotel which is named after her. But because she has spent her entire life in her mother's company we also see her trying to handle everything without her mothers help and guidance. Just like how Donna never had any help or guidance to raise Sophie. The final scene of the film perfectly highlights this story arc while also adding the right amount of closure to the story and characters, making everything feel complete.

Both storylines presented help separate Here We Go Again from being your bland and cheesy rom-com. Unlike Mamma Mia! 1, I'm given a reason to care for these characters. Because the themes presented can easily resonate with anyone who has parent figure that they love or anyone who has faced some form of hardships in life, as a result, the audience can project themselves and onto the characters and identify with them. I can't remember the last time I felt this good when walking out of the cinema. I can go on all day about why this film works and why its predecessor doesn't. The performances, the chemistry between characters, the excellent choreography and even better singing then the former. But why would you want to read a bunch of words on a page highlighting all of these things when you can see all of these things visually at your local multiplex? As someone who hates Mamma Mia! both the play and the film and is indifferent when it comes to ABBA, See this on the biggest screen as it’s the most fun and the most joyous you will feel in a cinema all year. You will laugh, you will cheer, you will sing and occasionally maybe a few tears.

Rating: 8/10

Posted by Ben Fry at 11:45am