Iconic- a word that springs to mind when you step out of the cinema and back into the real world after almost two and a half hours of A-list actors and performers killing – in both the positive and negative sense of the phrase – ABBA’s greatest hits and lesser-known songs in the summer smash hit film ‘Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again’.

Summary

This prequel/sequel jumps between 1979, where young Donna meets Sophie’s three possible fathers, Harry, Sam and Bill, becoming pregnant as she travels to Greece after graduating from Oxford University with her best friends and fellow “Dynamos”, Tanya and Rosie, and around 5 years after the events of the original film, 2005, when, as an adult, Sophie, still happily unaware of who her father is, is preparing for the ‘Grand Re-opening’ of the Hotel Bella Donna after her mother’s passing.

‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’ reunites the original cast, including Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Colin Firth and Amanda Seyfried, as well as rising stars Lily James, Jeremy Irvine, Hugh Skinner, Josh Dylan, Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davies as younger versions of Donna, Sam, Harry, Bill, Tanya and Rosie. However, Meryl Streep, who played Donna in the original ‘Mamma Mia!’ film and brought the much-loved character to life on the big screen, does not appear in the film until the end, but did, as always, make a huge emotional impact on the audience. The absence of one icon, however, prompted the addition of another- pop legend Cher- who played the role of Ruby Sheridan, Donna’s estranged mother, which was created specifically for her.

The Raving Reviews

The film has generally been received well by critics, having received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 80%, one of the highest ratings of this summer. It is notable that there were many other highly rated films such as the highly anticipated “The Incredibles 2”, which scored a whopping 93%, making it clear that this was an outstanding summer for film. Also, in its opening weekend, the film has made a whopping $106,198,150 (£83,625,018) and is set to keep raking it in as rave reviews continue to pour out.

The Oystercatcher’s Verdict

‘Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again’ is a film that can make just about anyone smile and will help to bring happiness to many, as well as to introduce ABBA and their legendary music to a whole new audience.

This feel good film has lived up to its highly successful predecessor and has excited many, including myself, who have waited ten years since the last film to see the long awaited sequel. It is a must-see for all musical fans and could convince anybody that they, too, could be a Dancing Queen!

  • by Lucy Wright, Editor of Culture
  • Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo
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