ABBA’s not-so-greatest hits
Film has a light comedic tone and sense of fun throughout, but it’s a pale shadow of the original musical from 2008 which used the band’s best songs and an incomparable cast
Here we go again — another sequel glomming off the goodwill of the original in a cynical quest for box-office booty. It’s not that Mamma Mia! Here We Go
Again is terrible; it’s just not terribly good. It’s not without its charms — although they are a pale shadow of the 2008 original — but those hoping to have the same sense of infectious fun may come away disappointed. So first off, here’s what doesn’t work. It’s kind of a downer from the outset to learn that Donna Sheridan (winningly played by Meryl Streep, who can actually sing) has passed on to that great summer repertory theatre in the sky.
However, Streep’s name is still in the credits so you can expect a late appearance, so to speak. The best ABBA songs were used the first time around — a few, including the title number, get reprised — but songs such as “When I Kissed the Teacher” and “Andante, Andante” are definitely on the Swedish pop band’s B-list. While some of the ensemble numbers have a certain amount of verve, many of the others don’t really get the blood pumping and the toes tapping.
The plot is déjà vu all over again, alternating between daughter Sophie’s efforts to open the old villa as a hotel, and flashbacks to Donna’s youthful days when she meets the three men, any of whom could be Sophie’s dad. Lily James is good but not great as young Donna, and she’s only a moderately gifted singer who doesn’t look much like Streep. (Then again, who does?)
Cher also makes a late appearance as grandmother Ruby, which seems a tad gimmicky. But her ageless beauty — although she looks more statue-like than statuesque — doesn’t seem the slightest bit grandmotherly and her trademark throaty warble doesn’t work particularly well with ABBA’s pop style. It doesn’t bode well for the 72-year-old singer’s upcoming album of ABBA cover songs, which she announced this week on the Today show.
Ruby’s unexpected reunion with an old flame fortuitously named Fernando exemplifies the problem with both films, matching songs written long ago to fit the story. It worked better the first time out.
On the upside, it’s nice to see the old gang back together, al- though the 10 years in between has been kinder to some than others (you be the judge). The new cast playing the younger versions of Donna’s Dynamos and the three Sophie dads inject some much needed youthful energy into the film. They’re a pretty engaging bunch, especially Josh Dylan as a young Bill (Stellan Skarsgard), and Jeremy Irvine as young Sam (Pierce Brosnan).
There’s still a nice, light comic tone and sense of fun throughout, with a special mention to British comic Omid Djalili wringing the utmost hilarity out of the tiny role of a Greek customs agent.
It’s telling that the film, set on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi, was actually shot up the coast in Croatia, because there’s something about this sequel that lacks the authenticity of the original.
Director Ol Parker has expressed his belief that the movie is similar in sequel quality to Godfather II. It’s more like Jaws II. Still, ABBA fans — the ones who will go to see the sequel no matter what — are going to have a reasonably good, if not a roaring great time, so Mamma Mia 2 gets our tepid endorsement.