What you have is a easy listening musical on screen w/ actors that can't sing Broadway quality music, except maybe for Amanda Seyfried who seems to stand out among the cast. Scenery and colors combine to make this visual experience a very entertaining (even memorable) show, considering how many of us might feel exalted or soothed because of some nostalgic "something" about our life when good sound of the past is reproduced again. I give it 4 stars (a high 4 stars) bc singing by aged voices (except maybe for the versatile Meryl Streep) will not cut this movie into a complete A++ recommendation. Nevertheless, in light of the dynamics of it, there is no place in this movie that I call dull, for Abba music is immortal when put to work. If I have to see this movie again and again, I would. And since I have not been to Broadway ... for me this is a near excellent (particularly in Blu-ray). You'd probably not regret buying this DVD, as music would be probably retained in your ears after the movie ends. Kudos! Amanda Seyfried and company... but only for those w/ non-Broadway type of standards.Read full review
My wife and I saw this movie at the theater. I didn't like it but she did so I bought it for her. I thought it was boring although I liked some of the music. The blu ray is pretty good and sound quality is excellent. I have always liked Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. Streep was Ok but the movie was total waste of Brosnan's talent. I thought he looked pretty silly. I thought the plot of the movie was pretty stupid too. Come on, give a break, Streep had a baby wjp didn't ever wonder who her daddy was until getting married. What a bunch of crap. What happened to DNA testing? Just an excuse to sing the songs which I liked most of. I couldn't wait for the movie to be over. I was the only heterosexual male there.
I personally loved every minute of this movie!! It is hysterically funny and well acted especially considering it is a musical which I usually do not like...Looking past the aging of the actors and simply enjoying the story was a pleasure beyond recall...it is one of those movies that you just have to watch over and over again...and the music was beyond fantastic!!! Take a chance on (me) my opinion and watch this....it is a hoot!
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If you love music & film as much as I do, you should love to watch this movie over & over again. The music is great. The story line is great. The acting is great. Meryl Streep is fantastic. It reminds me so much of good times in my life. Most would have to agree with me since it was known to set a new mark as the biggest weekend premiere ever for a movie musical with $27.6 million. Former record holder was Hairspray (2007). In December 2008, Mamma Mia! became the highest grossing film of all time in the UK, smashing the previous record held by Titanic (1997). There is a story too! Donna's daughter Sophie is getting married to the buff guy Sky. Only where's her dad? Sophie's never met him. A sneak-peek at Mom's diary shows Mom had 3 lovers. Talk about threesomes! 3 past lovers Sam, Bill & Harry, 3 close friends Donna & 2 best pals, and Sophie meets up with 2 other young women at the start of the film. Most of all though, this movie was just sheer fun. People were clapping, & laughing to the music and scenery. Rarely have I seen an audience this enthusiastic about a musical. The crowd especially responded well to Meryl & her two cronies (arguably the strongholds of the movie). Also, because I had never seen the musical before, I was amazed (and amused) at the inventive ways in which they managed to incorporate so many ABBA-songs. It is a fact that all of the entire cast performed their own singing. The headliner song in the beginning Super Trooper is actually sung live acappella by the main actresses. In order to capitalize on the popularity of the film, starting August 2008, the film was released in select theaters under "Mamma Mia! The Sing-Along Edition". Like Hairspray, the film had the words of the songs at the bottom of the screen for audience participation. Equally brilliant was the way extras (usually some Greek women) were deployed throughout the movie. The setting was beautifully mesmerizing Greece. The cast delivered with professional expertise. Pierce Brosnan's singing had been a bit criticized, although he did always stay in tune, and he delivers a satisfactory vocal performance rather than dazzling with a polished singing technique. The 4 leads are all wonderful. Julie Walters & Christine Baranski as Streep's two oldest friends are both very fitting. Walters has a particularly funny bit of business in a rubber boat. Baranski has her own knockout number. Amanda Seyfried as Sophie is simply delightful. She sings well, carries the plot and all the emotion which goes with it, & is very easy on the eye. Streep is a revelation. Mamma Mia! was the 1st film to be shot on the new 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios following a fire after Casino Royale (2006) wrapped. The new 59,000 square ft stage was used for song and dance numbers that could not be filmed in the sun in Greece. ABBA's Benny Andersson has a cameo as a piano player on the boat on a pier during Dancing Queen & Bjorn Ulvaeus's cameo is at the very end of the film when Waterloo ends, he is one of the Greek gods seen floating on clouds. The 2 ladies of ABBA (Frida and Agnetha) do not have cameos in the film. Early in pre-production, the producers suggested including a newly written original song for the movie to be eligible for the Academy Awards Original Song Category. However, former band originals Benny & Björn refused to do so. Though Andersson composed some extra score for the film, it was ineligible for the Original Song category since all songs were old.Read full review
Amazing. Cheering. Memorable. What can you say about a stellar cast of characters, gorgeous scenery, deliciously joyful music in the perfect setting and story vehicle? The stunning beauty of Greece. Favorite actors stepping out of their "comfort zone" and taking on the feat of doing their own singing and dancing. Heartfelt performances. Delightful choreography. And the kind of film that produces unmitigated joy along with hilarity. And Abba music! We realized we just had to own this gem to see over and over at will. What else can you want? Maybe some icy cold Ouzo or even better, Sambuca?
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