Fun - but only if you are so inclined - and it probably helps to be over 45

Rating: 6/10 (2 January 2009)

I saw the musical late in its run and thought it was a lot of good fun - nothing spectacular, but highly enjoyable. I enjoyed ABBA music though the group was never in my top 5. In that context, if you are looking for a movie with hilarious ABBA music send-ups and weddings, I would highly recommend the late 90's Australian satire Muriel's Wedding that helped springboard Toni Colette and Rachel Griffiths to well-deserved international stardom.
That said, I enjoyed the movie Mamma Mia as an enjoyable way to spend 110 minutes.
In contrast to the show, the movie gave us almost no interaction with two of the three potential fathers having dismissed them to her friends as flings. Hence, the heart-string tugs from the play were absent and it also spoiled any dramatic build-up to Sam stepping up to the plate at the end. I seem to be alone in thinking that Brosnan did a fantastic acting job of melting into the character of Sam rather than being Pierce Brosnan for a change. Given how little he was given to do, it probably wasn't worth it, but I thought it was worth noting. Colin Firth also, as usual, got the most out of Harry Headbanger despite his reduced air time. On the other hand, the choice of the balding and paunchy Swedish actor from the Intruders and Good Will Hunting as Bill was totally bewildering to me. He seemed totally miscast in the role and half a sleep in the little we dis see of him, mostly in his number with the irrepressible Julie Walters.
This brings us to what to watch and enjoy about Mamma Mia. All the scenes with Julie Walters and Christine Baranski are hysterically funny, wonderfully choreographed, and joys to behold. Streep has marvelous chemistry with them that is sorely lacking with any of the three gentlemen. Streep was certainly interesting here, often going from heartbroken and disconsolate to joyful and exuberant in a blink of an eye. It was almost like watching an acting class exercise set to music. And after all, who could possibly do it better? Sophie was well portrayed and the fellow playing was better treated by the screenplay than any other male in the film and took more-than-adequate advantage of it. Normally, I'm not a fan of overblown and surreal production numbers but the literal Greek Chorus made the musical cast of hundreds in the background into good fun.
So, enjoy Mamma Mia for what it is if you are so inclined. If you are under 30, male, and can't stand ABBA music, go see Transformers 3 instead.