Mamma Mia: The Musical that Keeps on Partying

Ten years after the original, we’ve finally been graced with a sequel to the ABBA sensation that is Mamma Mia. The story began with Sophie inviting three men to her wedding after reading her mother’s old diary and discovering she has three options for who her father is. Naturally, running into three old flames sends her mother into a tizzy, especially since one of them epically broke her heart. But after many outbursts, musical numbers, and changes, the movie does end with a wedding and a designated father(s).

The first film gives us a glimpse of Donna’s past through Sophie reading her diary, but also when her two best friends/Dynamos arrive on the island to perform at Sophie’s bachelorette party. Sophie gets to see her mom all decked out and rocking out, which she adores. And she has fun getting to know the Dynamos, as well as all the new men in her life.

Donna and Sophie are always running aroung, stirring up mischief but also getting things done. It’s fun to watch them and their mother/daughter relationship as they figure out which man should walk Sophie down the aisle; though honestly, Donna raised Sophie and she deserves to walk her down that aisle more than anyone. I love the scene when Donna helps her daughter get ready for her big day, it’s really sweet to see them doing their hair and nails together. It’s a nice glimpse of that bond and how it’s just been the two of them up until now.

The first movie is full of gorgeous views and big musical numbers with bright costumes, catchy songs, heart warming moments, and of course plenty of abs (…because of ABBA?). It’s a pretty solid chick flick musical. Meryl Streep is perfect as the rambunctious Donna, though she is too old to be playing Sophie’s 40 something year old mom. And Amanda Seyfried is adorable as the 20 year old island spitfire determined to find her father in time for her wedding.

Fast forward ten years, which in movie time is apparently five years, and Donna has died because the world is cold and cruel and only gives her four years with Sam. Sophie and Sky have yet to tie the knot, probably because Sophie is busy reopening the hotel while Sky is studying business in NYC. I was not expecting him to show up for the hotel reopening and was considerably underwhelmed by his reaction to Sophie’s pregnancy. I kept waiting for something bad to happen but the only bad thing happening was the movie ending.

But I digress.

This movie is both a sequel and a prequel, giving us glimpses of both Sophie after her mom dies and Donna before she became a mom. Lily James is absolutely perfectly stunning as young Donna. She embodies Donna’s wild mischief and love of freedom and adventures. She had the daunting task of playing a younger version of Meryl Streep’s character, and she nailed it.

Her Dynamos are spot on as well, especially Tanya. Jessica Keenan Wynn WAS Tanya. I can’t even convey how perfectly she managed to embrace her character, it was amazing. The men were all wonderful as well. Harry was just as earnest, Bill was just as fun, and Sam was his true charming self.

We see Donna graduate with her degree from Oxford, tearing off her robes in favor of a sparkly costume and crowd surfing with Tanya and Rosie. She’s determined to explore the world and have adventures, and not go home to see her absent mother.

She meets Harry while dancing through Paris, then helps a man find his true love while she gets a boatride from Bill. Finally, she reaches the island. She immediately falls in love with the place and of course with Sam. She’s found her place in the world, she can feel it in her bones. She’ll stay on the island with Sam, fixing up the old farmhouse and turning it into a hotel.

But then Sam leaves to return home to his fiance.

I really appreciated her reaction to the news that Sam was engaged. She has zero interest in being with a guy who would be unfaithful to someone else. She can understand him running away from his responsibilities, sure. But lying to her about being engaged is unforgivable and she sends him home.

Tanya and Rosie join her on the island, followed by Bill, who can’t get her out of his head. Rosie takes one look at Bill, finds out he’s chasing Donna, and immediately locates the best cake on the island. I loved her line about loving him so much she immediately wanted him to die so she could bury his ashes. It was beautifuly creepy. Tanya does the same with Sam, when he manages to show up again expecting to find Donna waiting for him. He has yet to learn that Donna waits for no one.

Donna is crushed but she picks herself up again, fixes up that hotel, and becomes a mom.

Despite Donna dying before becoming a grandma, Sophie feels very connected to her mom as she herself becomes a mother. Sophie is lucky enough to be surrounded by family and friends, something that really shines through with both movies. Even when it’s just seemingly Sophie and her mom, they have all their friends on the island that they clearly love and treat as family. Sequels can be tricky, but this was a good one. Both movies are big parties full of plenty of ABBA and adventure, the perfect recipe.