Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – A year after Donna’s death, her daughter Sophie is preparing the grand opening of her hotel, converted from a dilapidated old farmhouse on the island of Kalokairi. As she struggles to manage resources and the guest list, we flash back to the late 1970s when her mother first arrived on the island and found the house in the first place…

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (2018) – Director: Ol Parker

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56099838

Rating: PG

Running Length: 114 mins

Starring: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Alexa Davies, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Hugh Skinner, Josh Dylan, Jeremy Irvine, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Cher, Meryl Streep

Genre: Musical, Comedy, Romance

REVIEW: ‘MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN’

Given the huge success of Mamma Mia! it was inevitable that a sequel would eventually arrive. Less obvious was how to follow-up the self-contained story. As has been noted by others, this time there’s a “Godfather Part II”-style structure, as we cut between the continuing struggles of the younger generation and the carefree youth of the older generation. In spite of the fact that it lacks the novelty value of the first film, and that most of Abba’s biggest hits were used first time around, this sequel manages in many ways to be a more satisfying viewing experience. There’s a sharper script with better gags, and the two separate timelines allow the film makers to draw parallels between the lives of mother and daughter. Lily James as young Donna is a lively and charming presence, and the two actresses playing the young Julie Walters and Christine Baranski are spot on. If there’s a weakness in the casting it’s that none of the (again) male actors are able to sing. The film-makers seem to realise this though and keep them mostly in the background, letting the ladies take centre stage.

Back in the present day Amanda Seyfried’s Sophie is less interesting this time around, as she frets over the opening of her hotel and her post-honeymoon problems with husband Dominic Cooper. Fortunately Walters and Baranski keep things light and sarcastic, and Omid Djalili has a fun recurring cameo. As a lot of the more famous Abba songs were used in the first film they have to dig a little deeper into the back catalogue this time, but those less obvious choices still work out pretty well and are seamlessly integrated into the plot. There are still many of the big hits though, especially during the party finale.

It’s all good, clean fun in the sun, and the closing scenes, where Sophie comes to terms with her mother’s legacy and prepares to move on with her own life, are quite moving.

CONTENT: IS ‘MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

In the flashback scenes Donna is seen picking up a series of young men for one-night stands. No sex is depicted although it’s pretty clear that’s what’s going to happen, and in two instances we see them laying in bed together. One of the men suggests that she should sleep with him because he’s still a virgin.

One character, upon seeing an attractive man, makes a jokey reference to her own vagina.

During a storm scene a horse becomes frightened and repeatedly rears up on its hind legs, whinnying.

A man blushes and seems flattered when another man compliments him on his appearance.

A man jumps into the sea and then starts to flounder as he realises he can’t swim. Another man jumps in to rescue him; the scene is brief and comedic and no distress is portrayed.

Several scenes take place in bars or restaurants and alcohol is regularly enjoyed, although not to excess.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN’ FOR KIDS?

A sun-baked, cheesy but warm-hearted musical which should appeal across all age groups. Some cheeky sexual references earn a PG certificate, but otherwise this is suitable for ages 8 and upwards.

• Violence: 0/5
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (several characters weep or mourn as they remember the departed Donna)
• Fear Factor: 1/5 (one dark, stormy scene in an old house)
• Sexual Content: 2/5 (no nudity, but some kissing and partially clothed characters in bed together)
• Bad Language: 1/5 (A few uses of “Jesus”, “Oh my god” and “hell”)
• Dialogue: 2/5 (characters make frequent but non-explicit reference to sexual activity)
• Other notes: (deals with themes of death, loss and mourning, sexual promiscuity, alcohol consumption)

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Words by Simon Litton