For myself, this is the most highly anticipated film of 2018. And boy were my expectations exceeded! I did not expect what actually took place up there on the big screen with this beautiful story of this amazing and wonderfully peculiar extended family that was introduced to us with the first film over 10 years ago, which was the big screen adaptation of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical, "Mamma Mia!"
Unfortunately, I have to break my rule of "No Spoilers," in order to properly review this film. So if you haven't seen the film yet, wait to read this review.
From the beginning of the P.R. campaign for this film. there have been speculations abounding why the main star, Meryl Streep (Donna Sheridan) isn't in the trailers very much as well as many of the characters refer to Donna Sheridan in the past tense.
Well, in the beginning of the film, it is all verified. It has been 5 years since the happenings of the first film and indeed, our beloved Donna Sheridan has passed away. Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) has returned to the island, along with the help of her one step dad, Sam Carmichael (Pierce Brosnan), been fixing up and remodeling the resort Donna set up and built in order to re-open the resort, now aptly named, Bella Donna, in her mother's honor and continue the tradition in her memory. Both Sophie and Sam, it seems clear, have spent a lot of time together, healing over the loss of our beloved character. Sophie and Sky (Dominic Cooper) have had a falling out, he has gone to New York to learn from some of the best hotel managers and has been offered a job and Sophie wants to stay on the island. From this point, we experience this biggest re-union in movie history as the whole gang re-unites to honor Donna and the opening of "Bella Donna" including Donna's mysterious mother, played to hilarious perfection by the one and only Cher, in a scene to die for.
This film is absolutely beautiful, touching, heartbreaking and life affirming. The writers have done a fantastic job in interweaving the present with the past, where we get to experience Donna's younger years and how she met, Sam, Bill and Harry and became pregnant with Sophie. The star of this film is completely Lily James as the young Donna Sheridan. She blew me away and who knew she has such an incredible voice.
Kudos to the entire team and ensemble for a job well done! I laughed, cried and totally enjoyed myself! Don't miss this incredible film! And warning, the ending will destroy you! Bring tissues!
