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The Sopranos - Season 5

Mamma Mia! [2008]

Mamma Mia! [2008]

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Add Review The delirious sight of Meryl Streep leading a river of multigenerational women singing "Dancing Queen" is one of the high points of Mamma Mia!, the musical built around the songs of the hugely popular pop group ABBA. The plot sets in motion when Sophie (Amanda Seyfried, Mean Girls), daughter of Donna (Streep), sends a letter to three men, inviting them to her wedding--because after reading her mother's diary, she suspects that one of them is her father. When all three arrive at the Greek island where Donna runs a hotel, Donna flips out and finds that passions she thought she'd laid aside are coming back to life. But let's face it, the plot is not the point--it's a ridiculous contrivance that provides an excuse for the characters to sing the massive hits of ABBA. Regrettably, first-time film director Phyllida Lloyd (who directed the original stage production) has drawn over-the-top performances from everyone involved, even Streep; every production number hammers its exuberance into your eyeballs. Which is too bad, because Mamma Mia! is a rarity: A middle-aged love story. The kids start things off, but the story is really about Streep and the three guys (former James Bond Pierce Brosnan, former Mr. Darcy Colin Firth, and Swedish star Stellan Skarsgard), as well as Donna's best friends (Christine Baranski, best known from the TV show Cybill, and Julie Walters, Calendar Girls). It's a romantic comedy aimed at the people who were around when all these songs were new, and that's an age group Hollywood largely ignores. For that alone, Mamma Mia! deserves to find an audience. --Bret Fetzer

Custom Reviews (4)

Mamma Mia - more like 'get me outta here!!!'

Utter, utter pants!!! Must have cost about £2.50 to shoot with a 'script' straight off an old lolly pop stick. I watched this with 3 other people and we all agreed that it is the worst film that we have ever seen. Non existent story, terrible acting, cringe worthy singing and even worse they have messed around with some of the Abba lyrics - utter sacrilege. My partner said that this may have spoilt listening to Abba songs in the future but we agreed that we must try and clear this awful garbage from our minds and listen to the real thing. Save yourself some money, money, money and buy an Abba DVD instead..........PLEASE!!!!!

1 out of 5 stars.

Mamma Mia

This was dreadfull!!!
what a travesty of Benny & Bjorn songs. I would not give this room on my shelf.Mamma Mia! [2008]

It certainly was not my cup of tea!

1 out of 5 stars.

Without exaggeration - the worst film ever made.

It seems any negative review of this film gets instant dismissal, however, I cannot understand why fans of Abba would enjoy this film and non-fans would put themselves through such torture. Musically speaking this film is a train-wreck, the actors cannot sing and if this is done for comedic effect, well, this is lost on me. The whole story is geared around the by-gone promiscuity of the meryl streep character and the daughter endeavouring to discover her true father. That's it. I have saved you time and money. I had to endure the entirety of this film and when it finished was left dumbstruck as to the possible cause of its recent popularity. It is by far the worst film ever made and I am including 'Grumpy Old Men 2' and 'The Happening' in this summary. Please avoid this film for the love of humanity and the preservation of all that is good and decent left in this world.

1 out of 5 stars.

Mama Mia thumbs down

Despite the quality of Meryl Streep's Voice and the 'Does you mother know your out' routine the rest was frantic giddy idiotic dancing etc. All the actors looked as if they were on Speed. And Julie Walters was hopelessly miscast I was embarrased for this fine actress. Also the 'bride'didn't resemble Meryl Streep (her Mother) or any of the three men claiming her as a daughter. The casting agent got it wrong! The music was great thanks to the talent and knowledge of the english language of the Swedes. This production didn't do them justice though.

2 out of 5 stars.

Great film!

Went to see this film at the cinema with the girlies, not really knowing what to expect. What a great film it is!
Had to buy the DVD.....a must for any ABBA fan, or anyone who enjoys a good movie.
Have to say though my husband was very disapointed to see 'James Bond' singing, he couldn't believe 007 would take such a 'girl's role'.
Oh well, still a great film.

5 out of 5 stars.