In 2008 was the year of THE ensemble film of the year : “Mamma Mia!”, based on the musical, wich was based on the songs of ABBA. This year they decided to make the sequel.
In 1979 young Donna, Tanya and Rosie graduate from Oxford University — leaving Donna free to embark on a series of adventures throughout Europe. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam — the latter whom she falls in love with, but also the man who breaks her heart. In the present day, Donna’s young daughter Sophie renovated the hotel and prepares for the grand opening with the help of her friends.
Ol Parker (“Now is good”, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”) is the new director in the chair and he decided to make a sort of prequel within the sequel. Bringing the old gang back together except one-SPOILER ALERT- present day Donna (Meryl Streep). Streep was the star of the first one and also why the first film worked so well, well that and the singing of Pierce Brosnan. It was a gamble to cut her out of the story and replacing her with her younger self, played by Lily James. After a very weird beginning, some lesser known ABBA songs and a very emotional beginning, the film gets moving once the young Donna arrives in Greece. The part in 1979 is great, because the energy of the first film is present, the actors have fun and James is a very good Donna. The part is the present really misses the energy of Meryl Streep, that’s why it’s a shame to kill off her character. They could have found another way to bring her back later in the film. The characters of Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård are again a joy to watch and so are Christine Baranski (not enough screen time!!) and Julie Walters.
The fans of ABBA will have fun, but the magic of the first one is a little gone.
