ABBA's music brings people of all ages together, and I think we can all agree they have written the catchiest songs in all of history. For me, it was no surprise that the 2008 hit Mamma Mia (Phyllida Lloyd) was followed up with a sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (Ol Parker) this Summer.
Following the death of her beloved mother Donna (Meryl Streep), Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is preparing to take on the challenge of running the hotel and fulfilling Donna's dream, as well as welcoming a child of her own to this earth.
The plot has two story lines that run parallel to each other, the first being about young Donna's (Lily James) adventures on the island and how she met the three potential fathers of Sophie in the first place. The second storyline is about Sophie becoming a mother and how she feels a connection to what her mother went through.
The film has an all singing, all dancing and all star cast with all the loved characters from the first film making an appearance again for the most part. But Sophie's Grandmother truly steals the show, since she is played by the one and only Cher.
Personally, the actress that stood out the most to me was Jessica Keenan Wynn who played young Tanya. She played this role so believably that I truly forgot that it wasn't actually Christine Baranski playing her younger self. I mean you've got to be talented enough to be a Hollywood actress as it is, yet alone being able to act in the same style as another and pick up their mannerisms.
Naturally the soundtrack really was the winning part of this film. Most of ABBA's well known hits were used in the first film, which did make me wonder what they'd use in the second. Here We Go Again introduced songs such as Fernando, When I Kissed The Teacher, and Waterloo (my personal favourite ABBA song if you were wondering) to the big screen. However, this didn't stop them successfully reusing the big hits. I mean, you can't make a Mamma Mia movie without the song... Mamma Mia can you?!
The overall vibe of this film seemed a bit different to the first. The first was a cheeky little musical, that you couldn't help but sing along to. However this film, presumably due to its $75 million budget, has bigger dance routines and is just overall a lot more theatrical and dramatic than the first. As a result, the dance numbers have a cheesy and staged feel to them, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if that's what the audience was after.
Now musicals are normally feel good films, right? However, that doesn't mean that this movie doesn't tug at your heart strings. The cinema was filled with mothers and daughters crying their eyes out at the special bond between Donna and Sophie. But to keep it lighthearted, the film also has funny and witty one liners scattered throughout it. The ending is overly cheesy, but would you expect anything less from this feel good franchise?
And now for the actual story line which is where my main issue with the film lies. The ending especially, felt very forced and it didn't seem to flow with the rest of the story. It just seemed like they wanted to tie the film up in the happiest way possible, even if it didn't come across as realistic.
But the plot holes were the biggest downfall of this film. Every single person I have spoken to about this film has been able to tell me a different error they've found with the story line. E.g. In the first film, Donna is talking to Tanya and Rosie about someone "up there" (and points upwards) having it in for her because she seems to have bad luck, and they reply that it must be her mother. Surely this implies that Donna's mother is dead? Then HOW COME Donna's mother comes to visit Sophie in the second?! And the order in which she meets the three potential fathers is different to the first and the dates don't add up. It just makes me wonder if the person who wrote this film had even seen the first.
I have very mixed feelings about this film, since I loved it but feel as though I shouldn't have. Therefore, if I was judging it based purely on entertainment I'd have to give it a 10/10, since it let me escape from reality for a bit and I'll definitely be watching it again when I have a bad day. However, the film student within me is screaming to give this film a 6/10 based on it's inconsistencies and overall quality.
Have you seen this movie yet? If so let me know what your thoughts were in the comments below,
Izzy K xxx
Today's review is going to be of an older and, in my opinion, underrated film which is Son Of Rambow (2007, Garth Jennings). This is a coming of age comedy, set in the early 80's staring Will Poulter as the rebel 13-year old Lee Carter, and Bill Milner as the shy and naive 11-year old Will Proudfoot.
The boys couldn't come from more polar upbringings. Will was raised as part of the Plymouth Brethren Church, meaning he had to follow a strict lifestyle which includes not being able to listen to music or watch TV. His world turns upside down, yet maybe in a good way, when he first meets the school bad boy Lee Carter, who has just been thrown out of class for misbehaving.
Lee manages to convince Will to be the stuntman in the homemade film he's making to enter in a Young Film Maker's competition. As the name suggests, the movie they create is a spin off of the hit Rambow series. Soon, this film becomes the talk of the school, with everyone from the popular kids to the French Exchange students wanting a role in it The story really touches on the importance of friendship over popularity, and Lee becomes very vocal about the fact he feels like it was more fun when it was just the two boys making a film.
This film really is a family favourite. My parents love the nostalgia that it gives them as it shows children simply playing out and having fun with friends. For me, I could relate to the timeless childish humor and the banter between Will and Lee. The film is filled with funny lines and moments, including Lee's quick one-liners and the hilarious innocence that Will brings to the screen.
It isn't all fun and games though. The plot covers dark themes too, such as the death of a parent, prejudice and bullying. Son Of Rambow is an emotional rollercoster, which still manages to be a feel-good film at the end of the day.
My favourite thing about this film is the casting. Milner plays a convincing sweet character, who still has a lot to learn about the world. And Poulter is able to show a range of emotions, from being the cheeky schoolboy in one scene, to crying his eyes out about his family in another. This was the first film I'd ever seen staring Poulter, and ever since then I knew he was an actor to keep an eye out for because his talent was bound to take him far. The chemistry between the two characters is sweet to watch too, because it is clear they balance each other out and need each other's friendship.
Overall, this is the ultimate feel-good comedy. I would rate this a 10/10 because for me it's a film I can watch over and over without getting bored. Have you ever seen this film before? If so let me know in the comments,
Izzy K xxx
