Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Name	Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Director	Ol Parker
Producer	Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman
Writer	Ol Parker, Catherine Johnson
Starring	Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Andy García, Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Cher, Meryl Streep
Music	Anne Dudley
Cinematography	Robert Yeoman
Editing	Peter Lambert
Studio	Playtone, Littlestar Services
Distributor	Universal Pictures
Runtime	114 minutes
Country	United Kingdom, United States
Language	English
Gross	$395 million

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a 2018 jukebox musical romantic comedy film that serves as both a sequel and a prequel to the 2008 film *Mamma Mia!*. Directed by Ol Parker from a screenplay he co-wrote with Catherine Johnson, the film is produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman for Playtone and Littlestar Services, and distributed by Universal Pictures. It features an ensemble cast including returning stars and new additions, weaving a dual narrative set in the present and 1979 on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi.

Plot

In the present day, Donna Sheridan's daughter, Sophie Sheridan, prepares to reopen the Hotel Bella Donna while grappling with her mother's absence and her own relationship with Sky. The film intercuts with a 1979 prequel storyline, following a young Donna Sheridan as she graduates from Oxford, meets Harry Bright, Bill Anderson, and Sam Carmichael during her European travels, and ultimately arrives on Kalokairi pregnant with Sophie. The dual narratives converge at the hotel's grand reopening, culminating in emotional reunions and revelations, including the arrival of Sophie's grandmother, Ruby Sheridan.

Cast

The ensemble features Amanda Seyfried reprising her role as Sophie Sheridan, with Lily James portraying the young Donna Sheridan. The three potential fathers are played by Colin Firth as Harry Bright, Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, and Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael, with their younger counterparts portrayed by Hugh Skinner, Josh Dylan, and Jeremy Irvine, respectively. Christine Baranski and Julie Walters return as Tanya Chesham-Leigh and Rosie Mulligan, with Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davies playing their younger versions. Andy García appears as hotel manager Fernando Cienfuegos, while Cher portrays Ruby Sheridan and Meryl Streep makes a cameo as the elder Donna.

Production

Development for a sequel began following the commercial success of the first film, with producer Judy Craymer and writer Catherine Johnson collaborating with director Ol Parker. Principal photography commenced in August 2017, with locations including the Croatian island of Vis, which stood in for Kalokairi, and stages at Shepperton Studios in England. The shoot also took place at the University of Cambridge and in London, with the production design led by John Paul Kelly. The film is dedicated to the memory of producer Gary Goetzman's father.

Music

The soundtrack, featuring songs by the Swedish pop group ABBA, includes several tracks from the original musical alongside new additions like "When I Kissed the Teacher" and "I Wonder (Departure)". Musical supervision was handled by Martin Lowe, with arrangements and the film score composed by Anne Dudley. Notable musical sequences include a performance of "Waterloo" at the University of Oxford and a grand finale rendition of "Super Trouper" featuring the entire cast, with Cher and Andy García performing a duet of "Fernando".

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on July 16, 2018. It was theatrically released in the United Kingdom and the United States by Universal Pictures on July 20, 2018. The release strategy included wide international distribution, with premieres in major markets like Australia, Germany, and Japan throughout the summer. The film was later made available on digital platforms and Blu-ray by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its cast performances, particularly Lily James and Cher, and its vibrant musical numbers. It holds a certification of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. Commercially, it was a major success, grossing over $395 million worldwide against its production budget. The film was nominated for several awards, including two at the 76th Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress for Amanda Seyfried, and won the Hollywood Film Awards Hollywood Song Award for "I've Been Waiting for You".

Category:2018 films Category:English-language films Category:Musical comedy films