Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again review – the feel good musical extravaganza, perfect for your next girls night

Join the celebration, sing and dance, and discover how it all began! Ten years after Mamma Mia! The Movie premiered, you’re invited back to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new musical sequel based on the songs of ABBA. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is now pregnant, and like her mother Donna (Meryl Streep), she’ll need to take risks. The film’s original cast returns, with new additions including Lily James as a young Donna, Andy Garcia and Oscar® winner Cher.

Directed by Ol Parker (‘Now is Good’, ‘Image Me & You’)

So, what’d we think?

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again breathes new life into musical series that first hit the big screen in 2008.

Burning brighter than its predecessor, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again takes us back to the 70’s where we follow the free spirited Donna as she graduates alongside her eccentric BFFs, Rosie and Tanya, and begins the steps to indulge in her wanderlust. Taking us through Europe in the 80’s where everyone was super tanned and sexy (not much has changed), we get to meet the younger versions of the men who inspired the first film, live vicariously through their summer flings and witness a number of impromptu yet impressive musical numbers that have us wanting to hire a private singing tutor.

As we make our way through Donna: the early years, we flash forward to the present tense where Sophie, Donna’s daughter, is refurbishing her mother’s hotel to host a big event. Pregnant herself, Sophie’s journey in this film parallels the lessons and misadventures her mother experienced when she was a young pregnant woman herself.

The real charm and saving grace of this film is the band of new actors who have been cast as the younger versions of the OG crew; Donna, Rosie, Tanya, Sam, Harry & Bill.

Lily James shines as Donna, a woman who flawlessly rocks overalls and whose adventurous spirit leads her to find the hotel that becomes her home as well as have some very sweet meet-cutes with her three summer beaus. We’ve been fans of James for a while now but after seeing this film, she is our new number one babe.

Her friends are hilariously played by Alexa Davies (Rosie) and Jessica Keenan Wynn (Tanya) who manage to give new life to the quirky women first played by Julie Walters and Christine Baranski.

The talented young men who eventually become Sophie’s father figures are played by Jeremy Irvine (Sam), Hugh Skinner (Harry) and Josh Dylan (Bill). Curiously their older counterparts, while without-a-doubt are talented actors, have very little musical talent to write home about, however the young cast sound like they should all be on broadway. Plus added bonus, they’re very easy on the eyes.

Of course this wouldn’t be a musical without some stellar dance numbers that make you smile or shed a tear. Mamma Mia is rife with Abba classics, extravagant boat dance sequences and thankfully, the new cast add the strong vocals that the first film seemed to be missing. Some of the hits that James brings to life are “Mamma Mia”, Andante, Andante” and “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” “Waterloo” is given a makeover where a restaurant plays backdrop to the beginning of a romance between young Donna and Harry. It’s weird, colourful and wonderful.

Our favourite song? “Fernando” because, Cher.

The film comes to a sparkly end and we couldn’t have asked for a better wrap up.

Buy it yourself to see:

• Deleted & Extended Songs and Scenes with commentary by Director/Screenplay Writer Ol Parker
• High Jinks
• Enhanced Sing-Alongs
• The Story
• Mamma Mia! Reunited
• Playing Donna
• Sophie’s Story
• Meeting Cher
• Costumers and The Dynamos
• Choreographing Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
• Cast Meets Cast
• Curtain Call
• “Dancing Queens”: Anatomy of a Scene
• Cast Chats
• Singing ABBA to ABBA
• Class of ’79
• Feature Commentaries with Director/Screenplay writer Ol Parker and Producer Judy Craymer

But, should you see it?

Grab the wine, the popcorn and brush up on the vocals because this film is an easy and entertaining watch.

If you love a musical, Abba or just need a feel good movie, then this is a must have in your collection. Perfect to add to any girls night movie marathons, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again delivers all the best cheesy moments and features a cast of talented hotties.

What is your favourite Abba song?

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Written by Chrissy Thompson

A massive fan of a sing-along and dancing in the rain, Chrissy is an incredible artist who usually has a sketch pad in hand. A lover of nature, she spends her weekends hiking with her partner, taking pictures of her adorable pug Rosie and learning a new skill.

Favourite fashion and decor style: Boho-chic