Mamma Mia!

Colin Firth serenading us with Our Last Summer, a former James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) belting SOS, and incomparable dance numbers in the Grecian sun. The story of Mamma Mia! created a jukebox musical around the hits from the internationally popular ABBA, and not just any story, but a musical fan’s holy grail. I’m sure it has become a dying wish for many to visit the island after seeing the glamorised summer blues of the sky and sea, with filming taking place majorly on Skopelos, Greece. This movie is one of the most energising out there, even more so when you factor in the happy nostalgia and gorgeous colour grading. This talented ensemble cast will fill L3 with – in my opinion better than the original – song renditions and leave you with a warm feeling to accompany that soft June breeze on your walk home.

Holly Beaumont

Mamma Mia! is the onscreen adaptation of the highly successful musical which takes the best of Abba’s hits and combines it with a fun and heart-warming storyline. Sophie (Seyfried) is getting married and her biggest wish is for her father to walk her down the aisle…the only problem is that she does not know who he is! After reading her Mum’s diary she invites three men to her wedding, one of which could be the father she’s been looking for all her life.

The all-star cast works perfectly together and helps to convey the light-hearted and joyful mood of the film. Streep and Seyfried work well together as mother and daughter and Streep’s two best friends (Julie Walters and Christine Baranski) add much humour with their great comedic timing. All three possible fathers (Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard and Colin Firth) are convincing as their characters through their interactions with Streep and Seyfried.

The musical numbers are spectacular; Abba’s greatest hits are given a new lease of life and no one will be able to resist singing along as they watch it on the big screen. The upbeat songs are accompanied by exciting dance numbers, leaving the slower melodies to develop the characters and build the mood.

The scenery is also stunning; the rustic hotel perfectly encapsulates the relaxed Greek atmosphere of the film. Moreover, the beautiful beaches and green mountain landscape add to the care-free spirit throughout. The film is shot in a very natural way without much Hollywood gloss, which makes it stand out from its overly manufactured counterparts.

All in all, Mamma Mia! proves itself to be a fun-filled film with a lot of heart that will bring a smile to all age groups. It goes highly recommended to fans of the musical genre and anyone who wants to come out of the cinema with a warm feeling inside.

Julia Huntenburg