Mama Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

Directed by Ol Parker 

Screenplay written by Ol Parker

Story by Richard Curtis, Ol Parker and Catherine Johnston

Based on the songs by ABBA

Starring Amanda Seyfried, Lily James, Meryl Streep and Cher 

This movie is the perfect example of a sequel where a sequel was not needed-- but more ABBA songs, a prequel and a sequel in one and Cher making a cameo? Sign me up! Even if we never really asked for a sequel to Mama Mia, everyone was sure happy to get one. 

Set five years in the future after the first movie, Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, takes us back to the beautiful Greek island where Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is preparing for the grand re-opening of the Hotel Bella Donna. This sequel also dives back into 1979 with a young Donna (Lily James), beginning her life after college by exploring what the world has to offer, and along the way meeting Sophie's three potential fathers. 

As much as the magic of an ABBA musical did steal my heart again, this movie had way more plot holes than the first installment. According to the original movie, Donna's best friends, Tanya and Rosie never met her boyfriends back in 1979. Donna also claims that her mother was dead in the first movie, but here we see her played by Cher. Maybe the assumption is that Donna met her mom was "dead to her" since she wasn't in her life but that still doesn't explain other things. I'm not even sure if Ol Parker watched the first movie before writing this one. 

All criticism aside, this movie was still very enjoyable for me. They incorporated almost all new ABBA songs, and the few they repeated were favorites of mine, so that is totally fine by me. The jumping around between 1979 and the present wasn't too hectic, it was actually beneficial to the story progressing. 

This film brought many new characters as well, including Lily James as young Donna, and she did a great job. James is actually a decent singer and really captured the essence of a free-spirited Donna from the 70's. The two young girls who played Tanya and Rosie were really funny and must've taken a lot of Baranski/Walters mannerisms lessons before filming because the resemblance was uncanny. Almost too uncanny with the appearances though, as if Tanya and Rosie have had the same haircut for 30 years? Nonetheless, very good performances there. Amanda Seyfried has more of a chance to stand out in this one, even with the added cast members, and she gives another great performance as Sophie. As always, the three men (both young and old) are just fine. The younger versions of the men are actually better singers than Brosnan, Firth and Skarsgard. 

Sure, this revival may not have been needed, and sure it wasn't perfect, but it does what it needs to do which is leaves the audience feeling satisfied. The musical numbers are so much fun especially the ones with Lily James. This movie yet again left me with a huge smile on my face, and even a tear in my eye from nostalgia as they sang "Dancing Queen" again, which always has a special place in my heart. 

7/10