Just like an ABBA song, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is the daggy but loveable movie saga that keeps bringing audiences back for more.
Believe it or not, it has been a decade since the original 2008 film.
If you don’t like ABBA and you aren’t a fan of singing in movies, you should well know by now that this is not the flick for you.
It’s also far more enjoyable if you stay away from pervasive thoughts like: Haven’t they ever heard of contraception? Who doesn’t take contraception on a Europe trip? Etcetera, etcetera.
The movie whisks us back to Sophie’s (an ageless Amanda Seyfried) stunning Greek island where we learn her musical mother Donna (Meryl Streep) has sadly passed away.
To mark her memory and passion for the picture-perfect island of Kalokairi, Sophie resolves to open a luxury boutique hotel.
It is mere days away from the opening celebration and preparations are in full swing.
However, all is not well in Sophie’s world.
Her husband Sky (Dominic Cooper - who has aged a great deal in 10 years) is in New York learning the hospitality trade and contemplating a far-away job offer.
The pair use some clever staging devices to duet out their angst with One of Us.
Meanwhile, we flash back in time to follow the far more interesting journey of Donna’s awakening as a young woman.
Embodied by the gorgeous Lily James, young Donna is passionate and excited by life.
Flanked by younger versions of Tanya (Jessica Keenan Wynn) and Rosie (Alexa Davies), she sings and dances her way out of graduation into a European trip that begins in France.
Her first brief fling is with the endearingly awkward virgin Harry (played by comedic genius Hugh Skinner of Harlots fame), who grows up to be the frankly, still-dashing Colin Firth.
Firth has aged “like a fine wine”, according to the gushing ferry ticket man later in the film.
Maybe. He’ll always be break-out 35-year-old Firth, as Mr Darcy, to me.
Seems our girl Donna has given Harry the night of his life and not long after she slips out of their Paris hotel, he is in hot pursuit to Greece.
Before he can rekindle things, she is whisked away on a yacht by a dashing young Swedish sailor called Bill (Josh Dylan).
One thing leads to another, and Donna eventually arrives at her island destination.
She finds shelter in a building that will become Sophie’s future hotel and quickly endears herself to the community nearby with none other than ABBA songs.
She soon meets love interest number three: Young Sam (Jeremy Irvine), who is on the run from an engagement and an architecture degree.
Their love affair blossoms but quickly unravels. Donna chooses to stay on the island; pregnant and without knowing who the father is.
In the modern day, a big storm threatens Sophie’s launch party but her mother’s fabulous friends, Rosie (Julie Waters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) are on hand to put a cheeky spin on things.
Expect saucy, pro-women quotes from Tanya, like: “Be still my beating vagina.”
Meanwhile, Rosie prefers to resolve her feelings with cake.
There’s a giant reunion - complete with Pierce Brosnan as an older Sam, and Stellan Skarsgard as a worldlier Bill - and ALL of the song and dance.
Songstress and general Queen of Fabulousness, Cher, makes a wooden appearance as a long-lost relative (her face doesn’t move anymore) but wait for those pipes to open!
The lady can sing!
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a playful, fabulous romp that is worthy of the Swedish pop sensations.
What song do they play in the final credits?
You’ll just have to watch to find out!
