Mamma Mia!

7

KelvinSelimorSep 4, 2020

Mamma Mia! Crazy and hot dances. This is a movie with a crazy plot and really crazy dancing. Loved the backgrounds with panoramas of the Greek island and many great songs.

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7

DawdlingPoetNov 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ok, so I didn't bother watching this beforehand as I didn't think of myself as a fan of musicals as such but I've enjoyed a few over the last couple of years, so I thought I'd give this a go. If I had to describe it in 3 words, I'd say - pure, unadulterated silliness!

I was pleased to see Julie Walters present in the cast, as I quite like her and I did indeed find myself humming along to many of the Abba hits. Its a bright and colourful film and while I admit I do tend to prefer films that have more in the way of a strong plot (this musical featured more songs than most, with probably less emphasis on exploring the plot than other films), I quite enjoyed this as a fun piece of escapism, I suppose. Also, seeing Pierce Brosnan sing was interesting!.

Yes its cheesy, its sentimental but its certainly fun as well. The choreography was fairly impressive in places, if, shall we say, a little over the top. Plus I wasn't especially keen on quite how giggly the female characters were - both adolescents and adults but I can't deny I had fun anyway. I also noticed that Tom Hanks is listed as an executive producer, which is something I didn't know. Given he worked on a film called Backbeat which was about The Beatles, I guess he must be a big music fan.

This film won't appeal/suit all but its a nice bit of fun if you haven't already seen it, I'd say if your a fan of the Abba songs then you should definitely seek it out.… Expand

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6

StevenH.Jul 28, 2008

The Broadway musical was much better -- very clever & creative story. The "Parent" group was too old -- should have been folks in their 40's not pushing 60 like Streep, Brosnan & crew. Otherwise, pretty fun & entertaining.

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6

MirceaC.Feb 2, 2009

It's a movie that FORCES you to be happy.I don't like that.

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6

GavinCAug 7, 2009

Although 'Mamma Mia' certainly has more believable characters and can make you tap your feet now and then, only SOME of the voices are passable and the amount of time separating each song is ridiculous.

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6

ronnierJul 23, 2008

Was ok i love abba and that is what save thi s movie otherwise i thin kit was lacking overall.

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6

AndreR.Jan 18, 2009

I enjoyed the music, but the movie itself was not that great. It seemed a bit silly. But, I supposed that the script had to be adapted to fit the music.

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6

MetallicCriticDec 13, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you like ABBA then this will be one of your favorites. The musical numbers are fun through. It was hard not to dance or sing along to this(Not that I actually danced or sang along because I'm a guy). This featured a great cast including some great actors like Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. The plot itself was very horrible. It was actually laughable and not in a good way. If this is a comedy then where are the jokes? Either way, it stars Amanda Seyfried playing Sophie. She and her mom live on an island. She has no idea who her farther is so she invites the three men who could be her farther to her wedding. At the end all three of them decide to share her as a daughter. What kind of resolution was that? To add to the stupidity Sophie decides not to get married. Instead Sophie's mom and Sam get married after all the years. The only real reason to watch this is for the musical numbers.… Expand

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6

PotterheadGleekDec 7, 2021

Yes, it really is a feel-good film, the cast is on point, they all match the personality of their characters, I think that the relationship between Donna and her friends overshadow the relationship of Sophie and Sky. Superb mixing of theYes, it really is a feel-good film, the cast is on point, they all match the personality of their characters, I think that the relationship between Donna and her friends overshadow the relationship of Sophie and Sky. Superb mixing of the songs with the script (I think the "Dancing Queen" scene is memorable and also "The Winner Takes It All"). The bonding between Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried really feels like a mother and daughter bond. The male actors really need to get singing lessons.… Expand

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6

JP32Jun 24, 2018

Like the popular Broadway play, Mamma Mia! is a sweet, summery tonic of wholesome good cheer. The kind of which that women and families will drink up, even if the nutritional content is low.

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6

ViniciusBritoAug 17, 2018

A girl named Sophie will marry very soon, but she never met her father and had no clue in who he is while she definely want to meet him and him to take her to the altar. So she take her mother personal diary to find out the men that she hadA girl named Sophie will marry very soon, but she never met her father and had no clue in who he is while she definely want to meet him and him to take her to the altar. So she take her mother personal diary to find out the men that she had relationships with, she got to know some men, and while she had no clue on who her father is, she dicide to invite all of the three, having hope that then she would get to finally know who her father really is. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd.
The plot of this movie is interesting, it takes a romantic familiar story afloat. The movie gives a happy atmosphere, wich combines perfectly with the movie. One very nice part of the story here is that they give some teachings that are very welcome, some familly moments with daughter and mother primarily discussed, that is very deep and good, wich we can take to any father son realationship as well, seeing the kid growing and getting in the routine, it had some really touching moments here. The story was very simple, it is much about a surprise and a mystery, but at the end of the day you aren't really caring about it that much, the story wich is about the fathers is not very interesting, the side plots that end up being some songs are way more interesting then that, even that if it had zero influence in the main story, i would prefer for the great songs to actually make the plot go on, not just as a aside moment. The movie have some easy solutions, somethings that i didn't got very interested, it had some boring moments. But in other hand it had some really nice moments, some moments with a good energy, a energy that could be passed for who is watching, wich is very great. The story itself have so many thins that have zero influence into anything, that are there just to be fun, wich is alright, some of these are fun and some aren't, but i like when a story flows, and when it doesn't, at least make a really nice thing to fill that, but in general it doesn't that much.
The most songs of the movie are very nice, the performance by the actors are all very well done. I loved how are different types of songs here, are songs that will just put you up, giving a good simle, there are songs that are sad and easily relatable with anyones life. The vocal by pretty much all of them was pretty damn good, some felt that they were a little bit with lack of will, but most of the time it was pretty good. The songs aren't very memorable, for me it wasn't songs that right after the movie ended i needed to listen it over and over, except for one, that was really great.
The acting/vocal in this movie was on point. Meryl Streep is outstanding here, she is interpretating a old mother, but she is completely stuborn and fun, she gave a spirit to that character that is so sincere, her interpretation talks to much, her smile can say so much, her expressions are so natural and organic, she is completely great here, without even mentioning the vocal, she singing is unbelievable, fantastic. Amanda Seyfried is another high point of the movie, she is good at passing emotions, and is totally trustable that she is really the daughter of Donna, also her singing was pretty damn good. Pierce Brosnan was good, in some singing moments, just maybe he wasn't feeling it, he maybe wasn't enjoying what was happening, and that was noticiable, but overall, in some funny and dramatic moments he worked out. Christine Baranski was good, but her performance in the song "Does your mother know" was great, the song is very funny and she delivered a sarcastic and in power character. Julie Walters also had a good job, and a nice song with Stellan Skarsgård. Colin Firth was ok, he didn't had much to do.
The cinematography of the movie is wasted in my opinion, because we had a big beautiful island to explore and i think that i couldn't feel the island that well, another thing that really bothered me, is that the movie have a yellow filter through the whole joint, what is the point of that, that yellow filter is just awful. The movie in other hand had some nice camera moviments, some positions that i enjoyed.
There are some cheeky moments here, but the songs are very good, the story does have some flaws, but it have some nice teachings.… Expand

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5

KS.Jul 20, 2008

Well, as a veteran of 3 live performances of Mamma Mia including one on Broadway....I thought Meryl Streep's and Pierce Brosnan's singing was really pretty awful. And Christine Baransky's performance was sooooo bland and Well, as a veteran of 3 live performances of Mamma Mia including one on Broadway....I thought Meryl Streep's and Pierce Brosnan's singing was really pretty awful. And Christine Baransky's performance was sooooo bland and boring. I was disappointed.… Expand

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5

BillCJul 29, 2008

Just so-so. Not as good as Chicago or Rent. The story has an ackward flow, and the music and dance seemed to add little. Maybe 2 good music numbers , the others felt like filler to me. Meryl Streep is fearless and I give her credit for Just so-so. Not as good as Chicago or Rent. The story has an ackward flow, and the music and dance seemed to add little. Maybe 2 good music numbers , the others felt like filler to me. Meryl Streep is fearless and I give her credit for another fine job.… Expand

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5

ElliottWDec 18, 2008

I'm going to give it a five. I personally didnt like it very much, but my mother did, so I suppose this film is only good for the girls.

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5

JesterM.Jul 23, 2008

It's become a bit of a cliche these days to underestimate the impact of a good set of vocal chords. but I think that we can safely assume that Mr. P. Brosnan is not going to cry himself to sleep at night if we point out that his lungs It's become a bit of a cliche these days to underestimate the impact of a good set of vocal chords. but I think that we can safely assume that Mr. P. Brosnan is not going to cry himself to sleep at night if we point out that his lungs give off about as much power as my powerpuff girls nightlight. I mean really people, we need to get over our idolization of 'A' list actors, and actually cast some true to life broadway talent in these roles that involve singing, lest we all leave the theaters futily trying to stem the bleeding coming from our ears. Other than that the movie was somewhat entertaining.… Expand

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5

LeeWDec 16, 2008

I've always been a big fan of musicals, and I have to say that this was one of the worst musicals I have ever seen. Go back and look at the dancing, and most of the singing, and I think you'll see how laughable this is next to I've always been a big fan of musicals, and I have to say that this was one of the worst musicals I have ever seen. Go back and look at the dancing, and most of the singing, and I think you'll see how laughable this is next to films like "Moulin Rouge" or "Singing in The Rain." The story was fair, but not worth the $20 bucks.… Expand

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5

gm101Jun 21, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really wanted to like this movie, but I couldn't. The problem with this movie was that there were too many songs. Sure, there were three ABBA songs I loved listening to while watching, but musicals don't have to have a song every second of the movie. The greatest musicals ever (ranging from The Sound of Music to some Disney movies in the 90s) had songs, but left room for actual dialogue to move the plot forward. That is where Mamma Mia fails at, being one long music video instead.… Expand

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5

spielbrick90Oct 22, 2011

'ABBA' are a great band but I didn't really think that 'Mamma Mia' was very good. Colin Firth unfortunately didn't pull off his role. Julie Walters is one of the best actresses ever but she definitly shouldn't have done this film. Amanda'ABBA' are a great band but I didn't really think that 'Mamma Mia' was very good. Colin Firth unfortunately didn't pull off his role. Julie Walters is one of the best actresses ever but she definitly shouldn't have done this film. Amanda Seyfreid screaming along a pier is just wrong, AND MERYL STREEP IN DUNGAREES!!!! The story is rubbish aswell, but apart from that it was good.… Expand

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5

ExceladeogunApr 2, 2023

Mamma Mia

Watching this movie for the first time in 2023 I had a lot of preconceived ideas about how grand and spectacular it'd be (I thought it'll be a La la land), so from that believe, I'll say I was disappointed. It was very campy andMamma Mia

Watching this movie for the first time in 2023 I had a lot of preconceived ideas about how grand and spectacular it'd be (I thought it'll be a La la land), so from that believe, I'll say I was disappointed.

It was very campy and fun, and there was a general lightness the movie exuded, but with all these it also lack depth and substance. As a musical, it was a hit or miss, Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried gave good vocal performances but other cast members like Pierce Brosnan were an earsore.

It's without doubt that the exact reasons people would love this movie would also be the reasons people won't love it.… Expand

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5

omotestGumpApr 2, 2023

Mamma Mia! has some fun musical numbers and gags, and it's not painful for 108 minutes. It's just that compared to other great movies, the energetic musicals just go on and on and on and on and on, and it gets boring. The fun energy wasMamma Mia! has some fun musical numbers and gags, and it's not painful for 108 minutes. It's just that compared to other great movies, the energetic musicals just go on and on and on and on and on, and it gets boring. The fun energy was overwhelming, but if you think about it, all the movie has is ABBA songs (fun musical numbers) and characters (sometimes gags) that get you going. Then I'll buy the CD...of ABBA.

The original is a stage production, but it is rare that when I see a remake I also see the original version. I didn't go to see the stage version this time either.
Here are a few things that are often said about adaptations: 1) they are just plain stupid, 2) no matter how good they are, they can never surpass the original, 3) they are completely different from the original, etc. There are exceptions, but in general, they are all different from the original.
There are some exceptions, but most of them are true. That's what I mean.

The main reason I found this movie uninteresting was that I was bored by all the singing. A good musical has a good story, but this film relies too much on singing. I did not find the film interesting.
The humorous acting is one of the highlights, but it is not enough to save the film. There were not many funny scenes because the songs were the main focus. Even the charming parts of the film are not great charms due to the film's biggest drawback: a thin and somewhat boring storyline.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the songs in this film are unappealing. It may not be an exaggeration to say that the songs contribute the most to the enjoyment of the film. I'm just saying that the reliance on the songs makes the film too thin. I don't go to the cinema to listen to ABBA songs, I go to the cinema to see an interesting movie.

If you like this kind of movies, it may be a good movie, but if you don't, it will be hard to accept it, even with humorous performances and songs. However, there are some moments that make the film appealing. At first I thought the humorous performances and fun energy would make it a good movie. When I finished the movie, I was not impressed by that.… Expand

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4

ChadS.Jul 21, 2008

During the "Mamma Mia" number, Greek peasants crawl over the side of a building wall like extras in a Billy Idol video. And indeed, Donna(Meryl Streep) has been dancing with herself ever since Sam(Pierce Brosnan) broke her heart twenty years During the "Mamma Mia" number, Greek peasants crawl over the side of a building wall like extras in a Billy Idol video. And indeed, Donna(Meryl Streep) has been dancing with herself ever since Sam(Pierce Brosnan) broke her heart twenty years ago on the same Greek island she lives with her daughter Sophie(Amanda Seyfried). Now, on the cusp of her daughter's white wedding, he's back, along with two other partners from her post-Sam sex bender in "Mamma Mia", the ABBA musical that couldn't find a place for "Knowing Me, Knowing You" and "Fernando". The thin storyline is just an excuse to kill the time in between songs anyway, so the omission of these two standards from the Swedish supergroup's canon seems somewhat arbitrary...and cruel(I love "Knowing Me, Knowing You", especially the "ah-haa" just before the girls launch into "there is nothing we can do"). No need to despair though, there's still "Dancing Queen", the emotional locus of "Mamma Mia", as "Fernando" was for the ABBA-centric(and superior) "Muriel's Wedding". Sung from the perspective of a middle-aged woman, "you can dance/you can jive/havin' the time of your life", Streep's winning rendition transforms this insanely catchy piece of bubble gum into an anthem for lost youth. It's like watching Stevie Nicks perform "Landslide". And then there's Pierce Brosnan's duet with Streep on "SOS", in which James Bond has the audience searching their memory banks for another example of an equally laughable singing performance(think Rob Lowe's serenading of Snow White on an Academy Award telecast from yesteryear). Since Seyfried has the strongest voice in a cast of mostly non-singers, it's a shame that she wasn't assigned to a meaty song like "Take a Chance of Me". Julie Walters' menopausal take on the formerly infectious song about love's first blush left me feeling depressed. And why does the Geico caveman("Jazz hands. Anything with jazz hands.") get better direction from his choreographer than any of the performers from a film that originated on the Broadway stage?… Expand

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4

DanE.Aug 11, 2008

Great music, bad plot, bad plot and a bad plot.

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4

TonyHMay 8, 2009

Perhaps my opinion is tainted because I've seen the Broadway version multiple times, but there was little to this movie that kept me interested. I found myself watching it just to see how badly it compared to the stage version. If it Perhaps my opinion is tainted because I've seen the Broadway version multiple times, but there was little to this movie that kept me interested. I found myself watching it just to see how badly it compared to the stage version. If it weren't for the fact that the movie stays fairly true to the Broadway script, this rating would be even lower.… Expand

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4

StephenW.Jul 14, 2008

Thought the stage play was great, think the film is terrible. IMO the type of play did not translate well. If you want to see a funny, entertaining and great feel good musical on the screen, take a turn to Hairspray.

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4

grandpajoe6191Sep 26, 2011

What I sure know is that they have the crappiest script of the year...

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4

JmsbppJul 10, 2013

De un momento a otro sale Mamma mia reviviendo el genero del musical, un genero que no aparecia o vivia hace años y que se remonta en una pelicula, resalto cosas como los grandes actores, sin embargo hace falta un poco mas de cosas

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4

Toasty87Jul 11, 2020

Good soundtrack but that's it the script seems very unchecked and rushed though.

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3

JaneAustenJan 25, 2009

I must say I expected more from Meryl Streep. The other actors lived up to no expectations whatsoever. A fun plot, wonderful music, a terrible movie. The live musical was much more amusing, and the singing, dancing, and acting was actually I must say I expected more from Meryl Streep. The other actors lived up to no expectations whatsoever. A fun plot, wonderful music, a terrible movie. The live musical was much more amusing, and the singing, dancing, and acting was actually commendable; I very much encourage anyone who is considering seeing the movie to rethink and save up for tickets to see it performed in the way it was originally intended.… Expand

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3

TechaiR.Jan 9, 2009

Turned it off half way. The acting is bad; the singing is horrible (really a slam against ABBA); and the choreography is infantile. The setting in Greece is beautiful. A ridiculous attempt at entertainment.

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3

NatalieAug 25, 2008

I thought the plot sucked, but the songs were wonderful. And Streep was very committed to the movie, so I gave her some bonus points and the Dancing Queen part was great. The plot just seemed very neglected and the writer should be shook. I thought the plot sucked, but the songs were wonderful. And Streep was very committed to the movie, so I gave her some bonus points and the Dancing Queen part was great. The plot just seemed very neglected and the writer should be shook. And maybe given a back handed slap.… Expand

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3

moviemongerJul 30, 2011

Mix one part Streep, four parts Abba, and two parts fun. Stir vigorously. Baked for 2 hours. Let cool and serve cold. Very cold. Very very cold. How could so many good ingredients combine to produce what is best described as tofu? ThisMix one part Streep, four parts Abba, and two parts fun. Stir vigorously. Baked for 2 hours. Let cool and serve cold. Very cold. Very very cold. How could so many good ingredients combine to produce what is best described as tofu? This movie was like a juggler taking 5 very shiny and mezmerizing balls and tossing them in the air one at a time - never engaging with each other, trying to convince you that some spectacular feat has just occured. Upbeat? Yes. Disjointed? Yes. The most forgettable Meryl Streep character ever? Possibly.… Expand

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3

TheCriticXOJul 29, 2011

In 2008, the famous broadway musical, â

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3

diogomendesFeb 24, 2015

Ugh-- I hate musical films, and despite "not so bad" reviews, I think this is an obnoxiously flaming catastrophe that should be avoided at all cost.

2/10.

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3

nahtan1244Mar 10, 2016

An absoluly awful musical one of the worst. Maybe this type of movie is not my type of musical but there are so many other better movies than this crap fest. The songs are catchy but the acting and story are absolutely horrendous. PierceAn absoluly awful musical one of the worst. Maybe this type of movie is not my type of musical but there are so many other better movies than this crap fest. The songs are catchy but the acting and story are absolutely horrendous. Pierce broson and the rest of his merry men no joke there pretty merry are all very bad and while meryl streep was ok and so was the lead her friends were so cringe worthy to watch. I can name 3 musicals that are more entertaining than this into the woods chicago and les miserable. Les mis is not quite as a miserable movie going experience as this is. If you want to see a good musical go see the ones listed above otherwise stay clear.… Expand

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2

DebbeM.Jul 20, 2008

Boy, I don't understand how this could be considered good in any way. I never liked ABBA, but don't think that's the issue. Other people in the theater loved it, but neither my husband or I came out liking it.

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2

ColbyJ.Jul 21, 2008

The play was great but I honestly hated the movie. Pierce cannot sing, (in fact i heard many audience members laughing at his singing). The acting was really just okay. The worst movie I have seen in a theater in years. Two enthusiastic thumbs down.

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2

MaryG.Jul 28, 2008

Bad singing, even worse acting. Totally unbelieveable characters. Meryl Streep to old to play an aging hippie with a 20 year old daughter. Only good thing about the movie was the beautiful setting.

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2

JosephP.Jan 14, 2009

So bad that is leaves painful after-effect. From top to bottom, a very unpleasant experience.

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2

JayneD.Jul 18, 2008

I thought it was awful. Granted I was never an Abba fan and living in NY never saw the show but.... I have heard Meryl Streep sing better and definitely act better. And someone should shoot the casting directors for putting Pierce Brosnan I thought it was awful. Granted I was never an Abba fan and living in NY never saw the show but.... I have heard Meryl Streep sing better and definitely act better. And someone should shoot the casting directors for putting Pierce Brosnan in. The only talent was Sophie. Julie Waters was not used to her best ability. I couldn't figure out what the audience was laughing at. A few amusing moments but basically REFUND!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

2

CatherineJul 26, 2008

Oh my God. Who is Ray Bennett, and how did he get a job reviewing movies? I'm so embarrassed for him, almost as embarrassed as I was watching Mamma Mia. I only give this a 2 (rather than a 1) because I was moved by the mother/daughter Oh my God. Who is Ray Bennett, and how did he get a job reviewing movies? I'm so embarrassed for him, almost as embarrassed as I was watching Mamma Mia. I only give this a 2 (rather than a 1) because I was moved by the mother/daughter song. The rest of it was excruciating.… Expand

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2

PaxsterOct 6, 2010

I don't like Abba's music and I really don't like this film. How cheesy and boring the musical genre has become. How degrading this must of been for the cool and calm 007 Piers Brosnan, give the man a medal for actually singing. Give me anyI don't like Abba's music and I really don't like this film. How cheesy and boring the musical genre has become. How degrading this must of been for the cool and calm 007 Piers Brosnan, give the man a medal for actually singing. Give me any other film (Seriously,anything?) to watch cause this one is shocking.… Expand

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2

Trev29Mar 26, 2012

There were some great actors in this movie, but everything else was the mot bizarre piece of film work I had ever seen. It certainly seemed like everybody in the movie was having fun, but I wanted to find the nearest match so I could set theThere were some great actors in this movie, but everything else was the mot bizarre piece of film work I had ever seen. It certainly seemed like everybody in the movie was having fun, but I wanted to find the nearest match so I could set the T.V. on fire. Weird as hell.… Expand

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2

MrMovieBuffFeb 1, 2016

I am impartial to musicals as a genre...this movie looked fun, since that's what the posters and the trailers promised from the summer of 2008.

'Mamma Mia!' is a film adaptation of a famous musical show that was widely acclaimed fromI am impartial to musicals as a genre...this movie looked fun, since that's what the posters and the trailers promised from the summer of 2008.

'Mamma Mia!' is a film adaptation of a famous musical show that was widely acclaimed from audiences around. It is mostly a tribute to the largely successful band, ABBA, in which a lot of their songs are featured in the musical, catchy tunes from "Dancing Queen" to the title "Mamma Mia".

The movie starts where we see Amanda Seyfried's character posting three letters to what could be her three potential fathers; Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard and Collin Firth. Her mother is played by the extremely talented and mutli-Oscar winning actress Meryl Streep who cannot seem to tell her daughter who her real father is...this is not explained in the film...problem number one right there.

The three fathers head to the island where Seyfried's character is getting married to Dominic Cooper, but we only see the groom at least three times in this movie...the prince from Disney's "Snow White" (1937) had more character development than he did (okay, that's a little exaggerated).

The main issue with this film is how the songs are forced into their scenes where they're supposed to fit best. One example would be when Streep's character tells both her friends that she saw her three ex's on the island, and her friends, for whatever reason, start singing "Dancing Queen" which has nothing to do with this situation that's been brought up, and they start running and dancing outside and jump into the water.

Another issue is the singing, Streep is, without a doubt, a fantastic actress (look at how many Oscar nominations she's had), but if there is one thing a mega-talented person cannot do, and in Streep's case, it's singing. Her voice sounds oddly pitchy at times and it sounds like she needs a cough sweet from time to time, or even clear her throat mid-way through song. Also, I didn't even mention Pierce Brosnan's singing.............yet.

Amanda Seyfried seems to be the one who is really good at doing this, it's actually surprising that she never got cast in many other musicals after this, or even a Disney film for that matter. But, I guess the mediocrity and under-writing from this film overshadowed her talent.

Another issue is that, while these songs are catchy, they have nothing to do with the film's main plot, it's just an ABBA song inserted into the film to distract the audience and convincing them to have a good time. There is also no break between songs, after one song is sung...less than 5 minutes later, another song is being sung...sometimes it feels like it never ends.

Pierce Brosnan, (I bet you were waiting for me to mention this) is horribly miscast in this movie, his singing voice sounds like a dog whining from a stomach pain, it's cringy, it's awkward, it's uncomfortable...sometimes, I wonder what the director (Phyllia Lloyd) was thinking when he started singing and decided to cast him in this movie. He's nothing more than just a famous face for this movie's box-office advantages.

'Mamma Mia!' is a horribly written, sometimes awkward and uncomfortable, albeit a bit of a guilty pleasure from time-to-time...it's the kind of movie that musical fans will actually realize why some people hate musicals in the first place.

If you hate musicals with a passion...pretend this film never existed...… Expand

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2

amheretojudgeMay 30, 2018

my sentiments exactly..

Mamma Mia! The songs, choreography and background score; something that musical acts completely rely upon and not affordable to go down south, is surprisingly dull and not at all up beating. The feature is short onmy sentiments exactly..

Mamma Mia!

The songs, choreography and background score; something that musical acts completely rely upon and not affordable to go down south, is surprisingly dull and not at all up beating. The feature is short on such technical aspects and fails to hold it up to the viewer's expectations and undermines the whole energy of the cinema instead of celebrating it. The idea might have been something to explore upon but the writing is so frizzy and lazy that it derails within its first act after which it never even attempts to lift itself up. Phyllida Lloyd lacks execution skills and needs to do some extra work on it but then the adapted screenplay by Catherine Johnson too didn't have enough crisp to make it on the screen in the first place. The performance too isn't up to the mark which comes as a bit of a shock especially from Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Christine Baranski although it is enlightening to watch Julie Walters every now on then on screen. Mamma Mia! is a lost cause from the first frame where even though it attempts to go art-sy there is genuinely nothing to look up to and the reason being sloppy writing, poor execution and editing and somewhat questionable performances.… Expand

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TheHatManFeb 28, 2018

It's a movie that is only enjoyable to you if you personally hate movies that includes character development, plot and any effort to create fitting scenarios to the ABBA songs. The silence that came after the movie ended was the mostIt's a movie that is only enjoyable to you if you personally hate movies that includes character development, plot and any effort to create fitting scenarios to the ABBA songs. The silence that came after the movie ended was the most rewarding sound I've heard in my life. This is one of the most abnoxious, forced pieces of **** I've seen in a long time and it truly gives a horrible reputation to the chick-flick industry. Without the semi-decent acting and cinematography this would surely get a lower rating.… Expand

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1

MarcoP.Jul 17, 2008

All my friends and their girlfriends and wives went and saw Dark Knight. I got dragged into seeing this with my girlfriend a few hours ago as punishment for me taking her to go see Iron Man when it first came out. Suffice to say she didnt All my friends and their girlfriends and wives went and saw Dark Knight. I got dragged into seeing this with my girlfriend a few hours ago as punishment for me taking her to go see Iron Man when it first came out. Suffice to say she didnt want to see Iron Man so guess what I caught a glimpse of what hell and torture is. Basically there were only 20 people in the theater for Mama Mia and out of that 20 I'd say that 99% of them were cat loving frizzy haired old ladies. Oh and seeing Pierce "I used to be James Bond" singing some crappy songs with some old women who are my mom's age was enough to make me cringe. Eh at least one or two of the songs was good so I give it a 1.… Expand

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1

NancyfarmerJul 31, 2008

I like Abba, Meryl Streep, and Pierce Brosnan, but I HATED this movie! Horrible! I have walked out of exactly two movies during my lifetime (and I'm nearly 50 and I go to he movies at least once a week). I left during the Streep/Brosnan I like Abba, Meryl Streep, and Pierce Brosnan, but I HATED this movie! Horrible! I have walked out of exactly two movies during my lifetime (and I'm nearly 50 and I go to he movies at least once a week). I left during the Streep/Brosnan number on the mountain trail before the wedding. Horrible! Why did Brosnan do it? I'm really grieving because the crush I had on him came to a screeching (literally!) halt. Such a waste of time, money and talent.… Expand

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1

gregoDec 25, 2008

One of the worst films I've seen in 40 yrs.Singing is terrible.I'm tired of Hollywood inserting homosexuality into movies that do not need to have any in it!!

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1

joelgreenbergJan 14, 2022

I saw this film on its first release and tagged my way home - and yesterday I thought it worth showing to my granddaughters, aged 11 and 9. The younger did cry out, "O no, not another song!' at about the 15-20 minute mark and I warned her toI saw this film on its first release and tagged my way home - and yesterday I thought it worth showing to my granddaughters, aged 11 and 9. The younger did cry out, "O no, not another song!' at about the 15-20 minute mark and I warned her to strap herself in for the many, too many, songs that followed. Never has so much laughter and hijinks been manufactured and vomited back by actors paid to have the best time of their f-ing lives. La Streep, coveralls and hair askew, essays the role of a free-spirited mom who, in the final moments of the film, decides that marriage is actually better. Something no doubt that the writer of the film saw fit to shoehorn into the overcrowded and undernourished script. Pierce Brosnan, I have to assume, never has and never will watch himself being exposed with so little to show - the man can't sing, let alone sing twice. And Julie Walters, proving that too much of a good thing is really just too much (and let's agree to remove 'good' from this discussion). Only Christine Baranski comes close to underplaying, although the dialogue is so crappy that the only real to underplay would be to move well out of camera range. Amanda Seyfried plays at the daughter while Dominic Cooper is given less than a handful of breadcrumbs of a role as her boyfriend - and yet, with precious little screen time he succeeds in demonstrating a sleaziness best left elsewhere. My granddaughters did not immediately suggest that we watch the sequel or that we create an ABBA playlist.… Expand

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onlyonceJul 22, 2018

This movie is for a young teen. The entire movie is boring. It would have been better a non musical. Merle Streep's character is like she didnt grow up any. Streeps two sidekicks in the movie are horrible. Just a big disappointment. IThis movie is for a young teen. The entire movie is boring. It would have been better a non musical. Merle Streep's character is like she didnt grow up any. Streeps two sidekicks in the movie are horrible. Just a big disappointment. I think the reason the movie was a hit was because of the music. More like a music video than a movie.… Expand

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0

GeorgeH.Jul 20, 2008

This is the WORST movie musical I've ever seen ... and I remember "Can't Stop The Music"! The writing is so wretched it sounds like it was written by a 12 year old girl and although I like ABBA's music as pop songs they do not This is the WORST movie musical I've ever seen ... and I remember "Can't Stop The Music"! The writing is so wretched it sounds like it was written by a 12 year old girl and although I like ABBA's music as pop songs they do not work in a book musical. Everything is wrong with this movie but the blame is on Lloyd. Totally misdirected!… Expand

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HarryDec 4, 2008

This movie was a serious dissapointment. The 2 old bats next to Meryl Streep were hidiously horrible.

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JosephL.Jul 16, 2008

Complete crap! Bubble gum that went stale a long, long time ago.

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0

KassidyA.Aug 3, 2008

Save yourself 15 bucks. The movie is horribly cheesy, and I wish I would've seen the Dark Knight. Don't make my mistake.

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jet.Jul 27, 2008

This is seriously the worst movie I have ever seen in my life by a mile. Where to begin. Why does Meryl Streep think she can sing and why would anybody let her? It is actually an insult to the music of ABBA to hear Meryl sing their songs. This is seriously the worst movie I have ever seen in my life by a mile. Where to begin. Why does Meryl Streep think she can sing and why would anybody let her? It is actually an insult to the music of ABBA to hear Meryl sing their songs. Pierce Brosnan is ten times worse. Christine Baranski, I love her I really do, but how long can she play the same high-society drunk? Oh look, here she's sipping hilariously from an overflowing tropically ornamented drink? Seriously, if you think that's funny, you need to get out more. In fact, shockingly, for such a song-heavy movie, you think they'd have cast, oh I don't know, singers maybe? My biggest pet peeve is the overly literal pantomiming of lyrics when singing or lip synching. For example, the American Idol kids drive me up a wall when they sing a song with the word "around" in it and they make a twirly motion in the air with a hand to suggest...you guessed it..."around". Such theatrics are redundant and insulting to the intelligence of both the lyricist and the audience. A real singer delivers a lyric vocally, not by some hackneyed game of charades. This was Mamma Mia in a nutshell: a series of casual, unpolished performances charitably characterized as karaoke, painfully re-engineered to give the semblance of tunefulness and accompanied by unnecessary hand motions which echoed the lyrics. During Dancing Queen, when they sang the lyric that goes "see that girl, watch that scene", Julie Walters actually made a circular motion with her left hand while holding her right hand in front of her face in imitation of an old-fashioned movie camera like you might do when you're playing charades. She sings "watch that scene" while pretend-cranking a camera with her hands. How juvenile. Maybe if a shred of effort had been put into developing characters beyond a cookie-cutter -- I use this adjective charitably -- plot device the movie may have had a shot at rising above the level of a 5th grade musical twice rehearsed. How long did it take for the director to come up with the idea of pretend-cranking a movie camera while flailing in a jumpsuit? About one second? Is this what ABBA is reduced to, a series of comic gestures in ironic costuming and eyeshadow? You can almost imagine the director working: "OK, here the lyric says 'I hear' so Christine, I want you to cup your hand around your ear and pretend like you're hearing a sound. OK Meryl, I know this song has nothing whatsoever to do with this contrived plot line and, frankly, I'm not even sure what your motivation is because your character is hopelessly flat and unbelievable, so much so in fact that I keep thinking to myself, 'Hey that's Meryl Streep over there', anyhow, Meryl just have your eyes brim over with tears, then midway through the song fight them back defiantly and then end with a sense of triumph over adversity. People will think you're acting and that way, we can shoehorn this song into this cockamamie plot. OK, Julie, your turn. Just cup your breasts raunchily every thirty seconds and floss random pieces of fabric and wayward costuming betwixt your legs...that's always good for a laugh. Oh, and Julie, don't forget to fall all the time. Falls are funny, right? " Everyone is always falling in the movie. During one particularly nauseating scene, Christine Baranski pounces cougar-like onto a beach hottie causing him to fall at least four times in the same musical number. Julie Walters slides down a roof and hangs on comically to a rickety eave. I am not making this up. Meryl falls through a roof, landing unconvincingly and contrivedly with her legs over her head in a yoga position: Who lands like that? You got the sense that the movie began with a limited supply of gimmicky pratfalls, quickly exhausted them and then repeated them mercilessly throughout. Why was this movie made? Certainly not out of reverence for ABBA (except in that backhanded ironic oh-isn't-it-crazy-cool-to-love-ABBA way). ABBA was better than that. Everybody associated with this movie should be banned from film-making forever.… Expand

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starpowerAug 13, 2008

This is so bad, i think the plot gave me cancer, and even pubic lice. the acting was terrible, and my date complained about the music, and wanted to buy a abba CD to destroy after watching this S.O.B movie.

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BarneyOnMTJan 5, 2016

WHAT I LIKED: If you love Abba, you'll love the music...
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: ...but you probably wont love the film. 'Mamma Mia!' is as cliched as expected, but that's not the problem here. What is is the sheer lack of anything to enjoy - beWHAT I LIKED: If you love Abba, you'll love the music...
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: ...but you probably wont love the film. 'Mamma Mia!' is as cliched as expected, but that's not the problem here. What is is the sheer lack of anything to enjoy - be it plot, character, acting, humour, even the 'cringeyness' to make you smile. 'Mamma Mia!' has none of those and is a very poor effort indeed
VERDICT: Just a terrible, terrible film with few redeeming features at all… Expand

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SoulstoneMar 22, 2020

One of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life. It's boring, uninteresting and grating to watch. If you haven't seen it, you are keeping your IQ safe.

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Mamma Mia!

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