Review of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

I was a late convert to the original and spent half the film bemoaning the poor direction and hammy acting, but then I got it. So bad, it was good! This was not a meaningful musical, but a throwback to the 30s when musicals were just some singing and dancing with a few gags thrown in for good measure. As hit after hit took hold, I warmed to the pure entertainment that was Mamma Mia. Now, 10 years later, my expectations were not high. Sequels rarely live up to the original, the cast is full of youngsters old enough to be my grandchildren, and the songs were second grade Abba. But hold on! The songs were terrific, as were the kids, especially Lily James. The directing was far more inventive, the production design superb and right from the start we knew that none of this should be taken seriously, just enjoyed. I cannot understand those who moan that the plot casts a dark shadow on the film and who feel shortchanged by the small amount of screen time for Meryl Streep. The story is nonsense folks! It's a vehicle for a load of great songs, funny gags, and outrageously over the top acting. I was shedding tears of joy throughout. Admittedly, I club at anything, but I cried with happiness. Does that make me a softy, I guess so, but film critic Mark Kermode, the Horror expert, admitted the same emotions. I think that you have to be a real misery not to like this. There were times when the audience was laughing out loud and where I come from they were all coming out of the cinema with broad smiles on their faces. Can't wait to see it again!