Movie #1557 ........................."Mama Mia: Here We Go Again"

Movie #1557 "Mama Mia:  Here We Go Again"  or Number 2, the sequel (which is the reason Meryl Streep isn't in the film much --- tries to never do sequels.  But it really isn't a sequel because the story does not follow the musical --- it has nothing to do with the musical, just goes in the future a tad and mixes that up with going into the past, when Donna (Meryl Streep, who is now Lily James (from Downton Abby and Cinderella) gets pregnant with Sophie, the young "bride" in Mama Mia 1.  Anyway, this "sequel" is better than the first, in my opinion.  It, as a film, is more laid back and takes it easier than the first one, which really pushed hard to get every number across....as if it were competing with the very popular musical.  This time the energy comes from the young trio of Donna and her friends, showing excellent singing and dancing abilities, and it doesn't come across as forced, but more in the spirit of being young and free and getting away and being on their own for the first time.  Another aspect I liked about the film is that the songs fit in so much better than the musical --- I'm not a big fan of the musical , but the story here makes more sense, and for the first time, I actually followed the words to "Waterloo" and other of the Abba songs , and they introduced the characters or situations so much better than in the first movie.  I also enjoyed the photography a bit more because the editor was doing some slick stuff with mirrors (in one scene) and just used more "witty" techniques to smooth the movement from one scene to the next --- and it was a bit difficult at times with going from past to present quite swiftly --- sometimes using the same places.  Really cool, and kept the audience on its toes.  I'd give it a 4.2 ---- very recommended from me for its entertainment value --- the aim is for you to come out feeling good, and that's needed once in a while.  Oh, and make sure you sit through the credits because there's a running joke that comes in one more time at the end.  And Cher has two numbers!  And if you are looking for a great example of good editing, check out the last ballad that Amanda and Meryl Streep sing.  Terrific job!

"MAMA MIA;  HERE WE GO AGAIN"    PG-13     1 HOUR and 54 minutes

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In this sun-soaked sequel, a pregnant Sophie (Donna's daughter) is now running the family villa on Kalokairi and worried about facing motherhood minus her mom's guidance. But Donna's best friends reassure Sophie with tales about Donna's experiences.