The wait is finally over for all my fellow Mamma Mia fans!! The much-anticipated sequel/prequel, Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again is FINALLY here and we just can’t control our emotions. As a devoted lover of all things Mamma Mia, I snagged my ticket for the opening-day premiere and just had to share my post-Mamma Mia sequel thoughts with all of you.
Let me start by saying yes, you will cry, yes you will fall in love, yes you will sing and dance until everyone seated around you is annoyed. But most importantly, you will be left with a feeling of satisfaction and nostalgia after waiting a full decade for the return of this most beloved film and its charming characters. Which I must mention, have defied the laws of aging and look even more fabulous than ever!
The film takes us back to the infamous island of Kalokairi, Greece where Sophie, played by the beautiful Amanda Seyfried, is re-launching the beloved Bella Donna hotel in honor of her mother Donna, played by the boss herself Meryl Streep. Sophie relies on her dads Sam, Bill and Harry, played by Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard and Colin Firth, to help her prepare for the party of the year. Also, there to support Sophie are her “aunts” Tanya, played by ageless Christine Baranski, and Rosie, played by lovable Julie Walters.
Courtesy: The New York Times
The film brings back the beloved original cast, affectionately known as the “legacy cast,” as well as some new faces. We finally get to witness flashbacks to when Donna was young and fresh out of university. Playing the younger counterpart to the heroine herself is Lily James, who is virtually the real-life version of Donna Sheridan. Also introduced are the younger versions of Rosie, Tanya, Sam, Bill and Harry played by a fun and talented cast of newcomers. Perhaps the most iconic addition to the cast however is Cher, who plays Donna’s mother Ruby Sheridan. These fresh-faces added new breath and life into the already legendary musical we all fell in love with exactly ten years ago.
Throughout the whimsical musical, scenes from Donna’s past are played as we get to watch her graduate, travel the world and fall in love not once, not twice, but three times. Equally as important as her European love-life is the formation of “Donna and the Dynamos,” which is what kick-started her evolution into the dancing queen we all know and love. I mean who can resist some good ‘ol ABBA music and over-the-top shiny outfits? We also get to see her discover the “old farmhouse” that eventually becomes her life’s work in the form of a hotel. The entirety of Donna’s travels and romances will 100% make you consider buying a one-way ticket to Greece and finding the love of your life while forming a girl band with your best gal pals. It might also make you want to buy a whole new wardrobe but that could be just me. Her life is something of dreams and you only fall more in love with all the beloved characters as her story unfolds.
Courtesy: YouTube
One of the most touching aspects of the movie is the revelation that Sophie and Sky, played by the original #MCM Dominic Cooper, are expecting their first child in the exact same place Donna discovered she was pregnant with Sophie. This makes her feel closer to her mother and helps her realize how loved and supported she is in Kalokairi. AKA, the biggest tear-jerking song in the movie (bring ALL the tissues).
Let us not forget that the film is based on some of the biggest hits of ABBA, and this movie’s soundtrack is down-right groovy. From the re-vamped versions of iconic hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Super Trouper,” and “Mamma Mia,” to the brand new “Angel Eyes,” “Why’d It Have to Be Me,” and “Fernando,” this movie brings out the ABBA fan within you didn’t even know you had.
All in all, I would say if you were a fan of the first movie, you’ll absolutely love and appreciate this one. It was definitely worth the ten-year wait (please don’t ever leave us hanging like that again), and made me sing and dance like Donna would want. After this film, my new life motto will be WWDD, What Would Donna Do? And never forget, you can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life!!!