Movie Review:
Mamma Mia
Rated by 11 members
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for sex-related comments
Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Run Time: 108 Minutes
Quick Take: Some one-liners yield squeamish parent-teen moments but nonstop ABBA tunes drown out any awkwardness.
Mamma Mia Gets Toes Tapping, But Hits Some Wrong Notes
One doesn't exactly walk out of a screening of Mamma Mia.
One sashays, two-steps, cha-cha-chas.
ABBA music does that to a person, gets into your eardrums (a phenomenon scientifically, if unflatteringly, called an "earworm") and gets your feet tapping, your hips shaking, your head bobbing, all of which goes far toward explaining the original popularity of ABBA, the Bee Gees and pretty much the entire disco era.
The movie based on the play based on the music that children of the 1970s are still trying to get out of heir heads stirs up all the infectiousness of the Swedish group's upbeat ditties, and when the first notes of "Dancing Queen" start playing about halfway through (who knew it would turn out to be a song about a girl who gets around more than the dance floor?) you'll want to go grab your own dancing shoes.
Alas, as much fun as it is, Mamma Mia doesn't generate quite the charm one would imagine it had on stage. Meryl Streep, the always-game queen bee of leading ladies, proves she can do almost everything -- act, sing, age gracefully. But dancing queen? Not so much. You want to love this movie. You want it to be fun. You want that sort of lightweight romp, party set to music, toe-tapping choreography thing -- you want High School Musical! And really, if High School Musical is the new Grease, Mamma Mia is the new Beach Blanket Bingo. But, instead, you get a bunch of middle-aged grownups flailing around with the kind of moves that embarrass their children at Bar Mitzvahs. Sort of High School Reunion Musical.
That's not to say it isn't any fun. The cheeky story of a girl trying to cull dad's identity from a list of mom's old suitors would have to be fun -- unless it's a Lifetime movie. And, there's that music, not to mention the stellar scenery crystal blue water, Greek isles, Pierce Brosnan. All cobblestone paths lead to the obvious yet thoroughly satisfying romantic conclusion. And, when the moment comes, the entire audience is helpless to stifle the "awwwww" before it all wraps up with a lively ABBA tribute (be sure to stay for at least the first part of the credits). Music firmly implanted in head, it's only a stoic soul who won't be shuffling out of the theater, feet in time to the rhythm.
One, two, cha-cha-cha.
Kids Will Like:
Mamma Mia's kind of a throwback screwball comedy, especially Donna's best friends Tanya and Rosie who get all the best -- if most off color -- one liners. For older teens, there's a lot of nifty scenery, and by scenery, we mean comely girls and muscle-bound guys. Lots of "make fun of the parents" humor, such as the dreadful 1970s attire, and clueless behavior, like Donna's comment that Sophie's fiancé is going to "Get me on the line." Pirates of the Caribbean fans will enjoy seeing what Stellan Skarsgard (Bootstrap Bill) looks like without the starfish face and body covering.
Parents Will Like:
The big question before the opening was, could Pierce Brosnan sing. And, the answer is, not really. But, he cuts such a dashing figure, you'll love him anyway. Parents who grew up during the era will enjoy memory lane. But, everyone will like the up-tempo beat. Mom especially will appreciate girl-bonding moments shared between mother, daughter and best friends.
