I just saw Mamma Mia! the movie

[camncal]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 8:30pm

I went to a screening in LA last night and I thought it was amazing and very well done. There were definitely some very awkward transitions into singing at the beginning and some dreadful choreography during the song Mamma Mia! some of the choreography at the beginning were too stagy, which wouldn't have been a problem if it was done with some camera tricks, but there were none.

The singing was very good all around and Meryl's The Winner Takes it all blew everyone away. Dancing Queen was the big first number and the movie picked up from there and got better and better. The movie was very touching towards the end and the staging with the ocean backdrop during The Winner Takes it all is beautiful.

there were quite a few awkward and confusing moments, such as actors lip synching some lines and then not lip synching the next when the music is still playing. This was very obvious during one of Amanda Seyfried's songs with the three fathers. They'll be singing and their lips were not moving and then the next cut they'll be lip synching and then the next cut will be a scene with just the music playing while they're doing something else.

Nonetheless, once Dancing Queen hits, there were no boring moments. My friend who saw it with me said it was one of the best movies she's ever seen. Definitely don't leave the theatre after the last song. the credits is accompanied by 2 other songs performed by the entire cast. It's going to do really well among the public and also fans of the show and fans of ABBA music, but i am not sure how it'll do with the critics.
Updated On: 6/19/08 at 08:30 PM

[worrell4077]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 8:36pm

"there were quite a few awkward and confusing moments, such as actors lip synching some lines and then not lip synching the next when the music is still playing."

I'm wondering if they didn't think of doing what they did on Sweeney where they film to the music and actually sang it on set, so that it didn't look awkward and confusing.

Well, it's good to hear that you enjoyed it. I won't be there that weekend as many of you know. That weekend, I'll hopefully be at a midnight showing of TDK(as long as I don't get called for jury duty) and then I'm going to go back and attend a Sunday afternoon showing(I want to see it with children in the audience to hear there reactions to both Joker and Two-Face).

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 8:55pm

Maybe it's not the final cut and they will correct these small mistakes ! I am glad you liked it ! I LOVE the show and I am soooo looking forward to the movie ! Everyone says, that Greece looks incredible in the film !

[nealb1]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 9:41pm

Where in LA was the screening? Was it at The ArcLight in Sherman Oaks?

[Elphie4ever]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 9:54pm

when is the ny screening?

[hollywearsprada]

Posted: 6/19/08 at 10:15pm

"I'm wondering if they didn't think of doing what they did on Sweeney where they film to the music and actually sang it on set, so that it didn't look awkward and confusing."

I read in an article that Meryl did that when they filmed The Winner Takes It All scene. She sang the song for every single take they shot.

[camncal]

Posted: 6/20/08 at 1:11am

it was the final cut. it was a press screening. i doubt they'll show something to the press with an unfinished film. Despite the flaws,i sitll loved it!

it was in West La at the Landmark.
Updated On: 6/20/08 at 01:11 AM

[johndebkowski]

Posted: 6/20/08 at 1:29am

i'm jealous!!! was all of the singing good? i can't wait to see the movie!

[camncal]

Posted: 6/20/08 at 3:18am

yup the singing is great all around. i think there are some clips on youtube from the soundtrack. you can do a search and find a lot of them

[BWNUT]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 4:03pm

"Meryl's The Winner Takes it all blew everyone away."

No surprise there. The entire song is on the Mama Mia website and the woman can belt it with the Lupone and Peters of B'way, with better acting chops. Hopefully, this will the first of many musicals in her filmography. And B'way. Can you imagine what she can do with "Mama Rose"?
Updated On: 6/21/08 at 04:03 PM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 4:27pm

I can't wait to see this movie! I saw it on stage a few years ago in D.C. and I loved it!