Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again

[osprey_archer]

At last I have seen Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! Which was not quite as good as the first one, in my opinion - the songs aren’t quite as propulsive (except for “Waterloo”) and the movie as a whole isn’t as high-energy, and why did they kill of Donna Sheridan? - but it was still a lot of fun to see most of the old gang all together again. There’s a scene where Sophie sings with the Dynamoes which is touching, if Donna had to be dead.

I also really enjoyed the parts of the movie that chronicle Donna’s youth. Lily James is simply luminous as young Donna; in fact I thought they did a great job casting all the young versions of the older cast. I’m not entirely sure how Hugh Skinner could grew into Colin Firth, but he’s nonetheless hilarious, and I could 100% see young Harry being exactly that awkward, he’s learned to mask it more as he gets older but his innate awkwardness still pokes out at moments.

(But I’m still not convinced that Donna had to be dead. They could have come up with another plot, surely?)

Comments

[ladyherenya]

But I’m still not convinced that Donna had to be dead. They could have come up with another plot, surely?

I haven't seen the sequel yet and this is why. It seems so unnecessarily cruel! Even if Streep wasn't available, even if they wanted to set up flashbacks.

[troisoiseaux]

I watched this recently while I was stuck on a plane for 3 hours longer than expected and I completely agree with everything you've said. I definitely feel like they didn't need to kill off Donna. (Maybe instead, they could have revealed Sophie's pregnancy earlier, and as she's, idk, figuring out how to tell everyone - especially since they're so busy, in the midst of reopening her mom's hotel! - that's where the Donna flashbacks come in...?)

[carmarthen]

Noooo you said the name of the Song that Always Earworms Me!!!

I did think bby Bill was a dead-on impression of a hotter version of young Stellan Skarsgard and I adored the "Best Swede Award" joke (god bless, I love him). Also I think I came out of it shipping Harry/Bill? But overall it was kind of. Not so fun? Not joyful? Missing most of what I love about the first one. I think the framing of Donna being dead was just...kind of a damper on the whole movie.