Post by Vits on Oct 1, 2018 8:50:18 GMT
The viewer doesn't realize that MAMMA MIA! doesn't work as a farce until the last part. When the truths come out, the characters are only slightly surprised and there are no real consequences. The viewer can still mostly enjoy the comedy that comes from secrets and misunderstandings. Not all the actors are good singers, but they all know how to convey the right emotions. Not every ABBA song is pleasant to hear, but each musical number meant to be dramatic is compelling and each musical number meant to be fun is entertaining. Also, the musical arrangements of certain covers make them better than the original versions. Too bad that the last 10 minutes or so try to cram in as many songs as possible (even if they had already been sung in a previous scene).
7/10
In theory, the half sequel/half prequel MAMMA MIA! PART 2: HERE WE GO AGAIN shouldn't work. The scenes in the past show us things we were already told by the characters in the previous movie, with a couple of continuity errors (for example, the younger versions of the 3 boyfriends aren't dressed as hippies nor rock & roll fans). The scenes in present day have a couple of conflicts that, from the beginning of the movie, you can tell will be solved in the easiest way possible. As it happens with many sequels made 10 or more years later, we're shown a new chapter in the characters' lives, even if there's not a new arc, which should be the real reason to continue the story. But you know what? Thanks to the performances (mainly Lily James'), the songs and the humour, the sense of fun is more contagious than ever! The musical numbers are more visually creative this time around. It's disappointing that they use some songs that were already sung in the 1st installment, but the new cover of the title song is the best I've heard since the A*Teens version (shut up, I'm a 90s kid). Most people agreed that Pierce Brosnan was the worst singer so, this time, he only sings alone once and it's while his character is on the edge of crying. It works because he's not asked to go beyond his vocal range and because (again) he focuses on the emotion. It's heart-wrenching. You'd think that Cher (the only cast member with a music career) would be the best singer of the franchise. Especially since she's the voice behind IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME and THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG (not that I don't like BELIEVE, but the excessive autotune doesn't help me prove my point). However, she's among the weakest. She's not terrible or anything, but I didn't expect her to sound like her mouth was filled with walnuts. There's a plot twist in the last part where 2 characters are revealed to have met before. Have you seen BUBBLE BOY? I don't think it's a good movie overall (and I know most people agree with me), but there's one element in it that I think it's great, which is why the movie can easily come to mind when talking about plot twists. Yes, that movie does this type of twist too, but it's not meant to be just a surprise. The revelation shows that one of the characters has hidden layers, so it's a form of development. You'd expect the movie to have a scene of the protagonist discovering this information, so the character development can be spoonfed to the audience... but no. It's surprisingly subtle. Back to this movie.
8/10
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7/10
In theory, the half sequel/half prequel MAMMA MIA! PART 2: HERE WE GO AGAIN shouldn't work. The scenes in the past show us things we were already told by the characters in the previous movie, with a couple of continuity errors (for example, the younger versions of the 3 boyfriends aren't dressed as hippies nor rock & roll fans). The scenes in present day have a couple of conflicts that, from the beginning of the movie, you can tell will be solved in the easiest way possible. As it happens with many sequels made 10 or more years later, we're shown a new chapter in the characters' lives, even if there's not a new arc, which should be the real reason to continue the story. But you know what? Thanks to the performances (mainly Lily James'), the songs and the humour, the sense of fun is more contagious than ever! The musical numbers are more visually creative this time around. It's disappointing that they use some songs that were already sung in the 1st installment, but the new cover of the title song is the best I've heard since the A*Teens version (shut up, I'm a 90s kid). Most people agreed that Pierce Brosnan was the worst singer so, this time, he only sings alone once and it's while his character is on the edge of crying. It works because he's not asked to go beyond his vocal range and because (again) he focuses on the emotion. It's heart-wrenching. You'd think that Cher (the only cast member with a music career) would be the best singer of the franchise. Especially since she's the voice behind IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME and THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG (not that I don't like BELIEVE, but the excessive autotune doesn't help me prove my point). However, she's among the weakest. She's not terrible or anything, but I didn't expect her to sound like her mouth was filled with walnuts. There's a plot twist in the last part where 2 characters are revealed to have met before. Have you seen BUBBLE BOY? I don't think it's a good movie overall (and I know most people agree with me), but there's one element in it that I think it's great, which is why the movie can easily come to mind when talking about plot twists. Yes, that movie does this type of twist too, but it's not meant to be just a surprise. The revelation shows that one of the characters has hidden layers, so it's a form of development. You'd expect the movie to have a scene of the protagonist discovering this information, so the character development can be spoonfed to the audience... but no. It's surprisingly subtle. Back to this movie.
This twist doesn't work because it happens like 2 minutes after 1 of the characters is introduced, so we don't know them. We also didn't get to really know the other character by this point, despite appearing a few times before. We don't know how this reencounter affects their lives. Actually, both installments have this "We have to give as many main characters as possible a love interest by the end" attitude, even if that doesn't contribute anything.
8/10
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You can read comments of other movies in my blog.