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Amazon.co.uk Review
The delirious sight of Meryl Streep leading a river of multigenerational women singing "Dancing Queen" is one of the high points of Mamma Mia!, the musical built around the songs of the hugely popular pop group ABBA. The plot sets in motion when Sophie (Amanda Seyfried, Mean Girls), daughter of Donna (Streep), sends a letter to three men, inviting them to her wedding--because after reading her mother's diary, she suspects that one of them is her father. When all three arrive at the Greek island where Donna runs a hotel, Donna flips out and finds that passions she thought she'd laid aside are coming back to life. But let's face it, the plot is not the point--it's a ridiculous contrivance that provides an excuse for the characters to sing the massive hits of ABBA. Regrettably, first-time film director Phyllida Lloyd (who directed the original stage production) has drawn over-the-top performances from everyone involved, even Streep; every production number hammers its exuberance into your eyeballs. Which is too bad, because Mamma Mia! is a rarity: A middle-aged love story. The kids start things off, but the story is really about Streep and the three guys (former James Bond Pierce Brosnan, former Mr. Darcy Colin Firth, and Swedish star Stellan Skarsgard), as well as Donna's best friends (Christine Baranski, best known from the TV show Cybill, and Julie Walters, Calendar Girls). It's a romantic comedy aimed at the people who were around when all these songs were new, and that's an age group Hollywood largely ignores. For that alone, Mamma Mia! deserves to find an audience. --Bret Fetzer
Special Features
- Sing-a-long option
- Feature commentary with director Phyllida Lloyd
- Behind-the-scenes look at the making of Mamma Mia!
- The 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' music video
- Deleted scenes, including the deleted musical number 'Name of the Game'
- And loads more...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
305 of 323 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than expected - in fact, brilliant,
By
This review is from: Mamma Mia! [DVD] (DVD)
My wife and I went to see this last week not sure what to expect and we came away really impressed. Objectively, it's a very well crafted film. The songs are used to great effect throughout in reflecting events and building the emotion of the storyline. The particular sequence just before the wedding is an unexpected series of emotional body-blows: I defy anyone with grown-up kids to resist empathising with the feelings being portrayed on screen. It certainly caught me out - middle-aged guy speaking - and my wife (along with numerous others) shed a tear. Streep in particular is wonderfully adept at bringing the lyrics to life. I found myself thinking anew about the meaning of lines from songs I've heard and sung along to many, many times before.
Looked at coldly, without knowing details of their musical 'credentials', the cast list is an unusual combination, but there's no doubt that this particular recipe works terrifically well on screen. To those who criticise Brosnan's singing - I think you've missed the point. This is not just a standard 'musical'. The guys, it seems to me, were chosen mainly for what they could bring to the roles as actors, not as lead singers. At no point before seeing the film was I expecting to be blown away by the guys singing, and at no point during the film did I feel disappointed by it either. Their singing is a delightful facet of their broader characters and far from detracting from the value of the film as a musical, actually makes it so much more enjoyable. To sum up, I went to see it in ambivalent state of mind, fully prepared to come away with a so-so opinion of it. I have to admit Mamma Mia won me over, and as a result, for the first time in 30 years, we've been to see a film twice. It's an optimistic, life-affirming movie. The cynics can pull it to bits if they please, but the sheer, uncomplicated happiness it gives to the vast majority who've see it - including us - speaks volumes.
86 of 96 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mamma Mia! Gift Set [2008],
By
This review is from: Mamma Mia! Gift Set [DVD] (DVD)
What can I say about this great film. Mamma Mia! How can you resist it! Fantastic movie. If you've not already seen it, give it a go, it's the best 'feel good' film in a long time. If you've already seen it, then you know what I mean. I received my DVD yesterday and have watched it twice already. Maybe one day I'll get fed up of it, but don't know when!
The film may not be to everyone's taste, but good for most tastes. There's a bit of comedy, romance and sadness, with a good happy ending. Easy to watch too. Lovely setting. The well known stars live up to their reputation by giving a great performance. You don't have to be an Abba fan, but with most Abba tunes, can't help tapping your feet. Overall, a good watchable film. The gift set was extra special with book and pen, a little souvenir, good for giving as a present. My seller is recommendable, quick delivery of item, impressive, thank you.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Abba, by miles!,
By Pod4 (Devon, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mamma Mia! [DVD] (DVD)
Seen this at the cinema 3 times. Fantastic. It's up there with all of my classics - Grease, Oliver, Top Gun... Havn't seen the stage show, so the story was a real welcome surprise. A totally feelgood escapism, the type where you are surprised at the end, that you never looked for the time throughout the show, and that you really don't want it to end at all. The singing was awesome, not in quality always, but in emotional connection and believability (? if this is a word!). I laughed, cried, cried some more and nearly put my back out laughing at the Julie Walters scenes. Can't wait for it out on DVD ! Highly recommended
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