Mamma Mia (2008) - Review

What do you get when you take a ridiculous plot, ABBA music and an all-star Hollywood cast? You get Mamma Mia.

In Mamma Mia, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is engaged to be married. The only problem is that she does not know her father, leaving her to walk down the aisle alone. After raiding her mother Donna's (Meryl Streep) diary, she deduces that there are 3 possible men (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard) who could be her father. She invites them behind Donna's back, and hijinx ensue, all set to the catalogue of classic pop band ABBA.

Based on the original Broadway play from 1999, Mamma Mia is an ingenious and creative idea. Taking widely-known hits and stringing them into a loose narrative is a risky endeavour (see musical's like Rock of Ages for proof), yet Mamma Mia's story is heart warming and endearing. The search for Sophie's father is intriguing, and the resolution is satisfying. Coupled with the impressive cast visibly having fun singing ABBA on-screen, it's hard not to smile and have a good time watching this film.

There are undeniable weak points. Front loaded with the biggest and best tracks, the film slows down to a crawl in the middle. ABBA's weaker songs are played during this part, where viewers who are not attached to those pieces will likely check out. As well, the vocals are lacking in areas. Dominic Cooper and Stellan Skarsgard are no crooners, and Pierce Brosnan's duet with Streep on "SOS" is cringe-worthy at times.

The setting of the film is brilliant. Shot on location in Greece, the rich blue water accents the perfect tans of the characters, creating the stunning paradise of Kalokairi. The cinematography is awkward in parts, leaving me to wonder if perhaps the stoney island is not the most friendly to full-scale Hollywood camera setups. In addition, the dance choreography and blocking during certain numbers is very basic, leaving something to be desired.

Despite its issues, Mamma Mia is a heck of a lot of fun. One of my mom's favourite films, it holds a soft spot in my heart. Grab some friends, sing a long to your favourite tunes and check out Mamma Mia at a MATINEE.