In a few words: behold the power of ABBA.

Movie Poster from Rotten Tomatoes

I was fortunate enough to hitch a ride with two genuinely funny and sassy lasses yesterday, Mrs. A & a newbie my sphere of knowledge, Ms. H, to see the new from stage to screen musical: Mamma Mia!  If for some reason, you’ve been living under a rock for a the last 10 years or so, Mamma Mia!  is a musical completely built around the music of Swedish super-group ABBA.  It puts to use familiar tunes that I grew up with, songs I sadly know all the lyrics to, and weaves them through a tale of a wedding, 3 potential father’s of the bride and a mother/daughter relationship.  While that last description makes it sound a lot more noble, the reality of this musical is…put on your CAMPIEST SENSIBILITY and leave your delusions of grandeur at the door.  It’s a silly, goofy romp that is fun if you allow it to be.

A couple of points of interest: first of all, it appears it may be the contender for the highest grossing movie musical opening ever (slightly beating out Hairspray – which I actually liked a lot better).  I have to imagine that the appeal of this film rests solidly around the often fanatical devotion to the 4 members of ABBA and the music they gave us.  ABBA apparently has such world-wide power and devotion, that I don’t know why they haven’t considered signing up to work on the whole world peace issue.  I can’t imagine the throngs of thousands were in theatre seats to hear Meryl Streep or (god help us), Pierce Brosnan sing.  I probably would have lived a happier life not ever hearing Pierce attempt to sing…it’s not horrible, but I find him a lot more appealing without song stylings or spandex (that comes later in the film). 

There are a few moments that I laughed out loud, simply at the silliness factor.  There is a “Greek chorus” of locals who keep showing up to provide backing vocals at every scene and it made me realize how happy I am to not live in a “musical” myself.  I’m not okay with a huge proportion of on-lookers following me a round and adding commentary via tune.  Additionally, the acting is WAY over the top, and there was no showing of “Fernando” (ABBA reference), at which I was sad because god knows Chiquitita had a showing.  The location of the film is stunning, and makes you want to live a care-free life on the Greek isles putting up with a Greek chorus if need be just for the blue water.  The singing is…interesting…I’ve already commented on some of them and funnily, my crush-factor (Colin Firth), sadly sounds like he could provide voice talent work for a Muppet.  There’s even some cameos from ABBA members…but I’m not going to give it all away here.

This movie will NOT change your life, but it will provide some nice escapism and a chance to mumble ABBA tunes for the next few days or weeks.  If you’re not an ABBA fan, or a fan of the movie musical genre…stay far far away.  If the Jim for some reason had gone to this film, I’d have been removing pencils from his ears that he stabbed himself with.  While he’s put up with a number of movie musicals I’ve enjoyed, this I think would kill him.  IN the meantime, if you like musicals…if you like ABBA…then go and face this Waterloo.

** Stars out of 4.