Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

The original 2008 Mamma Mia! revolved around Meryl Streep as Donna, the adventurous, high-spirited 1970s hippie who didn’t know which of her three lovers fathered her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again reveals in the first scene that Donna is dead, leaving a huge void that not even a last-minute, flamboyant appearance by Cher can fill. And since most of the Swedish pop group ABBA’s best songs were used in the first film, the soundtrack is filled with reprises of “I Have a Dream” and lesser known tunes such as “When I Kissed the Teacher” and “Andante, Andante.” The story is divided into two sections, with one concerning Sophie’s preparations to re-open the picturesque hotel founded by her oft-lamented mother, despite having a serious domestic dispute with her husband (Dominic Cooper) who is considering a lucrative job in Manhattan. Sophie is comforted by one (Pierce Brosnan) of her possible fathers, although the other two (Colin Firth, Skellan Skarsgård) are otherwise occupied. Also on hand are Donna’s irrepressible bandmates (Christine Baranski, Julie Walters) and a suave hotel manager (Andy Garcia). The second story is a prequel, an extended flashback set 25 years earlier when energetic flower child Donna (Lily James) fled to an idyllic Greek island and became enamored with younger, unconvincing versions of the three potential fathers (Josh Dylan, Hugh Skinner, Jeremy Irvine). Discarding all semblance of cohesion and reality, both casts meet and mesh during splashy “Super Trouper” and infectious “Dancing Queen” end credits which, thankfully, include a campy glimpse of Streep. Sloppily written and frantically directed by Ol Parker, this is a disjointed, confusing, and ultimately redundant music video. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include two audio commentaries (one by director/screenwriter Ol Parker, the other by producer Judy Craymer), a sing-along viewing option, enhanced sing-along songs (47 min.), deleted and extended songs and scenes (11 min.), the production featurettes “The Story” (5 min.), “Costumes and the Dynamos” (5 min.), “Mamma Mia! Reunited” (4 min.), “Meeting Cher” (4 min.), “Curtain Call” (4 min.), and “Playing Donna” (3 min.), and an interview with Cher and Craymer (4 min.). “Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus extended song performances and enhanced sing-alongs, a choreography segment (8 min.), two “Cast Meets Cast” featurettes (6 min.), the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Cast Chats” (5 min.), “Class of ‘79” (4 min.), “Sophie’s Story” (4 min.), “Performing for Legends” (3 min.), and “High Jinks,” as well as bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a disappointing sequel.] (S. Granger)