‘Mamma Mia 2’ outdoes original

Here we go again: ABBA magic still does the trick

Just when you think you can’t roll your eyes any more at the goofy plot twists, silly lovelorn shenanigans and endless polyester of the jukebox-musical sequel “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” somebody starts crooning a catchy ABBA tune to soothe your inner dancing queen (or king, as it were).

Based on the popular stage production, 2008’s dreadfully corny “Mamma Mia!” showed that Meryl Streep can actually sing and Pierce Brosnan actually can’t. The superior yet still extraordinarily cheesy “Here We Go Again” (★★g☆; rated PG-13; in theaters nationwide Friday) suffers from many of the same fundamental problems, though the film exudes an infectious spirit that’ll put you in a Swedish super-pop headlock until you submit.

The original film introduced Donna Sheridan (Streep), who raised her daughter, Sophie, by herself on the (fictional) Greek island of Kalokairi and followed the comedic mystery of the youngster trying to figure out who her real father is among Donna’s three old lovers: Sam (Brosnan), Bill (Stellan Starsgård) and Harry (Colin Firth).

Five years later, Sophie has turned her mom’s picturesque farmhouseturned-villa into a swanky hotel. Donna’s old friends/bandmates Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) are back to help with the grand-reopening shindig.

The sequel interweaves a parallel timeline set in 1979: Young Donna (Lily James) graduates from Oxford and traces a path from London to Kalokairi, enjoying romantic escapades with awkward virgin Harry (Hugh Skinner), sailor boy Bill (Josh Dylan) and charming hero Sam (Jeremy Irvine).

The present-day story tends toward the sullen and droll, at least until the arrival of Sophie’s grandmother – played by Cher with a complete avoidance of subtlety. The ’70s tale, though, sparkles with James’ i effervescence.

James is the ringer. And Cher is as awesome as you’d imagine. However, Seyfried and Streepon “My Love, My Life” really brings the house – and tears – down.

That old ABBA magic can make even a middling movie that much better. Whether it’s “Mamma Mia” or something more obscure, my my, how can I resist you.

Lily James stops the show with her effervescence and surprising vocal chops.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES Lily James plays young Donna in “Here We Go Again.”