Here we go again. Here’s my Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again review and boy do I have a few things to write down about the film. The movie stars Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Cher, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Stellan Skaarsgard and Andy Garcia. It’s also directed by Ol Parker.

I was mildly piqued with the film and wanted to report in this Mamma Mia Here We Go Again review on whether the film lives up to its predecessor or if it would fall flat and I’m glad to tell you right now that it doesn’t suck. I actually liked it.

Pros

It’s ABBA, so expect to find yourself singing to one or two or three of the songs that they prominently featured in the movie. Impressed how the filmmakers once again find away to connect the songs with the situations case in point “Fernando”; but I won’t spoil how they make the connection.

Basically the movie is just an “expansion” of the first movie, breathing life to the story of Donna (Meryl Streep) and how she meets the Three dads of her baby. Lily James (Cinderella) has definitely grown up and handles this more “saucy” role.

I loved Cher’s role as well as Andy Garcia’s role here in the film. Quite surprising and also at the same time, it’s typical Cher. So sassy.

Good job in casting the perfect younger counterparts for the dads and Sophie’s titas. I’m a bit disappointed (just a tiny bit) that they didn’t cast any of Stellan Skaarsgard’s kids to play the younger Bill. That would have been awesome, but then again, it would require a good voice which may or may not fit any of his sons.

The musical numbers within the movie were beautifully executed be it comedic or dramatic in nature. Watch out for their performances for “Angel Eyes” and the tear jerking “My Love, My Life” which surprisingly connected even to me (as a dad). I swear there were a few sobs heard in the screening I attended after that scene.

Cons

I feel bad that I’m marking this down, all the really juicy good songs from the European pop group were absent. Yeah sure, the more iconic ones return but I dunno, I’m confused whether I should really consider the lack of the really popular songs as a flaw or a con.

Boy, Young Donna sure was promiscuous. Not a point against, just wanting to state the obvious.

Minus point for super limited use of the Hollywood-caliber cast members like Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. They found a way to logically find a way to re-introduce them in the film’s second act but it still feels less.

The movie has a bit of identity crisis. I didn’t know whether they wanted to tell the story of Sophie’s troubles paying tribute to her mother or are we looking at the origin of Sophie interspersed with a present problem for the original characters. So I guess, slight narrative problems here.

Mamma Mia Here We Go Again review – Verdict

8/10

I liked Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again but compared to the original, it barely reaches the levels that “Mamma Mia!” managed to hit IMHO. Great music, a lot of good character beats and moments and an awesome ending.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again opens today from United International Pictures Philippines