...perhaps the worst example of what is known as a 'jukebox musical.'
Mamma Mia! (2008)
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Reviews Counted:169
Fresh:90
Rotten:79
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: This jukebox musical is full of fluffy fun but rough singing voices and a campy tone might not make you feel like "You Can Dance" the whole 90 minutes.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some sex-related comments.
Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Theatrical Release:04-07-2008
Synopsis: After its run as a West End hit in London, MAMMA MIA became a Broadway smash when it opened in New York back in 2001. With a story framed around the music of the Swedish pop band Abba, crowds loved... After its run as a West End hit in London, MAMMA MIA became a Broadway smash when it opened in New York back in 2001. With a story framed around the music of the Swedish pop band Abba, crowds loved its raucous, dance party vibe. Now it comes to the silver screen, with some truly delightful performances from the likes of Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. It is the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) a young woman living on a picturesque Greek island with her mother, Donna (Streep.) Together, Donna and Sophie run a ramshackle island inn, and they are in the midst of preparing for Sophie's wedding. As the wedding approaches, Sophie becomes troubled by the fact that she has never known her father. She was the result of one of her mother's summer flings, and her mother has never revealed her father's identity. When Sophie stumbles upon her mother's diary, she learns that there are three possible men who could be her dad. Without telling her mother, she invites all three to her wedding. When Harry (Colin Firth), Sam (Brosnan), and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) all arrive at the same time, Donna is of course shocked and overwhelmed by seeing her old lovers again after such a long time. She turns to her two best friends, Tanya (Christine Baranaki) and Rosie (Julia Walters), for their support, and vows to just get through the wedding and weekend. Meanwhile, Sophie spends time with each man, determined to learn the truth. Major hijinks and confusion ensues, all amidst the utterly romance scenery, and the rather irresistible, swelling love ballads. Streep has a lovely singing voice, and to watch her throw herself into this whimsical role is truly a delight. She looks like she is having a ball, and it is hard not to shimmy along with her. Baranski reliably delivers an over-the-top showstopper, and Brosnan's tender singing voice makes his character all the more touching. The film strives to be a jubilant celebration of mother/daughter relationships and the love between good friends, and no matter how cheesy some may find Abba, it is hard to resist its many charms. [More]
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Christine Baranski
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Screenwriter: Catherine Johnson
Producer: Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman
Composer: Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus
Studio: Universal Pictures
Reviews for Mamma Mia!
You could listen to a greatest-hits CD with nearly the same result.
The cast of non professional singers, epitomized by the mediocre talents of Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried, disrespects ABBA's melodic 1970's music. What a shame.
like cotton candy, unsubstantial, brightly colored, way too sweet, and ultimately unsatisfying in any meaningful way. Plus it might just make you just a little nauseous
Come to be swept into a warm surround of stage-seasoned music, choreography and talents of the two primary leads, Streep and Seyfried. Okay, so it's slightly overabundant and dizzying.
Mileage will vary, depending on one's affection for ABBA, nonsensical dance numbers and middle-aged women cutting loose in sparkly outfits.
The new film version of the Broadway musical Mamma Mia! seems to be made by people who have no instinctive connection to pop music.
None of them can sing, and nothing they do looks natural. Rarely have I witnessed so many pros appear so clueless.
This movie isn’t just unapologetic fluff; it’s aggressive, out-loud-and-proud fluff. Just like ABBA.
It makes for campy fun at times, but the bottom line is that it's hard to get swept up by the story when the singing keeps making you wince
The only way to make Abba songs sound worse than they already are is to have them spring forth from the mouths of Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.
It's the very vague nature of these pop songs that universalizes them and makes them worth celebrating in this fashion.
Helmer's lack of vision and technical skills and the use of conventional format result in a schmaltzy, mildly enjoyable musical that services but doesn't enhance Abba's iconic songs--and yes, Meryl Streep can and does sing nicely.
If Mamma Mia! works on any level at all, it's through the sheer radiance of Meryl Streep.
On the scale of Celebrities Who Can't Sing, [Brosnan]'s a few notches above Lee Marvin in Paint Your Wagon but falls short of the vocal skills of Burt Reynolds in At Long Last Love.
Even were it not the title of one of ABBA's most beloved songs, this might just be the most aptly-titled movie of the year.Because my Mom is gonna loooooooove it.
We're literally left in the cold with many questions raised that are ignored undermining the entire premise and the reason why we came to watch...
Maybe watching three older women prancing around in tight spandex singing ABBA is someone's idea of a good time, but I wouldn't want to be stuck in a room with those people for more than 90 minutes ever again.
Streep has a sweet voice and knows how to use it, but it’s sad to watch a perfectionist remove part of her brain and try to convince us she’s having a jolly time.
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December 28, 2008:
There's a neat free spirit versus family values message here, about a dad being no big deal when you can have three. Not to mention that family is more about who loves you, than whatever does or doesn't dangle between their legs. ![]()
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