“Mamma Mia 2”, after “Mamma Mia 1”, did not disappoint in the least.

With visually stunning sets, this film blends live stage with picturesque live space.

Well photographed, with charming and charismatic acting, dance, beautiful stage design, costuming, and of course music with characters singing, this is a film for people of all ages. It is again well cast, with refreshing moments of humor and surprise worked into the script. Moreover, it contains great dialogue and performance between the musical numbers as well.

One of the producers in a rather long list of those attached, is Mr. Tom Hanks among 10 persons credited. And, one of “ABBA’s” original stars has a minor role in the film. (Both facts referenced from imdb.com).

This entire crew is quite the ensemble. I think that many if not all areas of production are worthy of award nomination. I very much admire these stage to screen types of film.

Despite the risk of any of the actors returning to this sequel less than enthused with their role this time around, each embraced his role… as newly introduced actors additionally fit in just perfectly along with them in this work.

If you enjoy staged theater, staged musical, or opera, there is likelihood that you will enjoy this dramatic musical on screen also… with tremendous passion. That is especially true, if you enjoyed “Mamma Mia!”. In my view, this sequel need not be outdone once more.

Whether you are familiar with “ABBA” or not, the songs featured in this film accompany a tell-all story of how 3 generations of mothers bring their daughter to the world. Captured for us… songs well integrated with the acting, is the essence of life adventure and character’s present emotional moments. The movie prompts our emotional responses without glancing over them (with continuous written word), requiring more focus and scrutiny, so as not to get lost or confused.

More specifically, we journey with these women; how were their lives set into motion by the
men they encountered, the risks they took, and the 3rd generation of motherhood.

Rife with clear emotional insights to what it is like to be a woman (as stated by these women), the honesty of this film brings joyful tears to many men.

One might chide the “patch-work” family element of “who is the biological father”? But, so often is it true, that a widow must carry on as a mother. In this film, a long time bitter and heart broken woman must become a grandmother (as she finds her long lost lover and grand-daughter in Greece), and the men who never could commit, also find a reason to come back home!

Touching on the element that a wedding does not always go as planned and that trepidation
can surround the moment that changes one’s life, the senior male figures in the film provide
the right fatherly comfort that carries the young and spirited female heart to its destiny.

These men are depicted in the film as young boys who deflowered “Donna”; and also as the
grown men many years later. The young women are also depicted this way. Without any doubt as to whether the story is taking us into the history or to the present, the film is crafted in such a way that there is not a shred of confusion as to which generation the story is following or presenting.

Extra special, is the variety of appropriately selected musical numbers, whose lyrics have
fitting appropriateness for the scene and moment of the story. As each song is performed,
a new “layer of the onion” is peeled away, so as to pull your heart deeper into the plot and the women. It’s done naturally, without any deceptions or cheap devices.

The final scene packs a real punch as well. As we learn of an encounter in the 1950’s between
a man and woman, explaining the song “Fernando” (as I understood); and giving an extra T.K.O. “punch” to the viewer’s heart. This tenderness is the kind that the memory of love in the midst of war and revolution plays upon romances.

As historically, the Mexican Revolution predates the 1950’s, I’m under the impression that the song references the railroad workers’ movement (1957-1960) which took place in Mexico at that year quoted in the movie. [For more details on this history, I recommend reading http://www.blackwellreference.com ]. That is my best guess.

It’s beneficial to not think too hard about the ethnicity of the various characters, as it is a reality
that wars, migration, and multi-racial romances, impact the next generation born. And, in this film,
it is unclear which of the fathers is the biological father. It’s a question best left unanswered – except to say that the babies are born with blonde hair traits that resemble the mothers from “Donna”, played by Meryl Streep, and the babies after her.

A masterpiece for its genre, I’m so relieved that I find no difficulty in giving this very successful film its positive review.

Rated PG-13 and containing many songs not in the first film, your whole family should enjoy.