MAMMA MIA! (2008)

- [PG -13] for some sex-related comments.

- Starring = Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters

- Written by = Catherine Johnson

- Directed by = Phylida Lloyd

- Running Time = 1hr 48min

I love musicals and I love ABBA, so I was really excited for this movie. I pretty much got what I deserved.

Based on the stage musical (which I haven't seen), the movie starts off with Sophie sending a wedding invitation to three men, one of whom is her dad that she has never met. You see, her mom (Streep) slept with 3 men at the same time and never told any of them that she was pregnant. Now, Sophie is getting married and really wants her father to be there. She also thinks it will be good for her mother to relive the past. This all builds to a wacky conclusion that is typical of these type of madcap comedies. And to make things even more ludicrous, every few minutes or so, people break out in ABBA songs.

Going into this, I didn't really know it was going to be so silly. And that's not a bad thing. I just thought it was going to be more serious. The plot is pretty bland, and I really didn't care about the character Sophie. She just seemed like a spoiled blonde brat. I did love Streep's character. She had a passion that made you care for her. The movie gets a little sentimental at times, but everytime the movie is about to get too sappy, they spring a musical number on you. And each number gets sillier than the last. I loved Streep's rendition of "MONEY MONEY MONEY", and when she sings THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL, it gave me goose bumps. The numbers are staged with such goofiness, like when a bunch of backup singers are standing on the dock with scuba gear dancing. It's silly. At times it borders Zucker-like parody. Which worked for me. I had fun.

The cast seems to be having a ball. Amanda Seyfried is okay, but she just seems to be able to play one thing. Happy and smiling, and that was kind of grating. Streep is the real standout here. Even when she's not singing, she just has this great energy about her. Her friends played by Christine "plastic surgery is my friend" Baranski, and Julie Walters are wonderful. Especially Walters, who gets to sing TAKE A CHANCE ON ME at the end. She's great. The three men are all pretty good as the most understanding and easy going men on the planet. They don't get upset about anything. You think they would try to compete with one another to be with Streep, but they are just so laid back and polite. Pierce Brosnan has been getting some flack on his singing. He's not bad at all, and he's always in tune. He just has a different tone to his voice than everyone else that he sort of clashes. I found his voice refreshing, kind of like a british Lyle Lovett.

First time director Phyllida Lloyd does an adequate job here. The musical numbers are the highlight. But she does seem to struggle once in awhile with some non musical scenes, there were a few awkward cuts and camera placements here and there. But otherwise, the movie is full of energy and a blast. If you don't like musicals or ABBA, you have no business seeing this movie. If this sounds like you're cup of tea, you will have a good time. But if you have to even think about whether you will like it or not, then skip it.

3/4