Absolutely Fantastic!!!

Rating: 9/10 (17 July 2008)

Firstly, I will admit that I am a huge musical fan. I enjoy all the random bursting out in song, and the choreography that everyone strangely seems to know. Unrealistic dancing in a supposedly real setting has always seemed interesting to me.
I saw the original stage show of this movie, and I have to say that being about 10 at the time, I don't remember most of it. But I do remember enjoying myself immensely. This remembered enjoyment of the story and especially the music, only heightened my expectations of this movie, and boy did it deliver.
The plot was predictable to a point, but the casting was excellent, and nobody can find fault with ABBA music. Amanda Seyfried was truly fantastic as Sophie, she sang brilliantly and her acting was superb. Meryl Streep really did suit her role, and while there were a couple of grimaces in regards to her vocal ability, she did do a truly excellent job, especially on "The Winner Takes it All". Pierce Brosnan on the other hand was truly terrible. That man should never open his mouth to sing again. He was carried along by Streep in "SOS", and even then could not handle his own part in that song, and that was his best number.
Despite some atrocious singing, the movie was absolutely fantastic. It diverged a bit from the original stage show in some plot aspects as I remember them, but everything fit perfectly and hilariously. I went in to the cinema with high expectations, and it truly did not disappoint in music, acting or comedy.