Mamma Mia

[Myron]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:33am

I am disappointed that today's Daily News gave the film "Mamma Mia" poor reviews. I was panning to see it. I hope others are kinder. Later articles say that "Mamma Mia" is an enjoyable fun film and is being praised by fans of the musical as well as fans of ABBA.
Updated On: 7/23/08 at 08:33 AM

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:38am

It's an even mix between good and bad...Rottentomatoes.com has it below the 50% positive mark. Some of the bad reviews are saying it's mindless fun, but rag on the filmmaking, some cast members, vocals..take your pick.

[Patash]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:51am

Reading between the lines of a few of the reviews, I'm kind of speechless. Did these critics actually think it was supposed to be anything but mindless fun? Where did they have their heads when they went to see it? Point out all the technical errors they want, but I'm still waiting for a review that says "it didn't work because it wasn't fun to watch". But I can't imagine how anyone would say that.

[Here_I_Go_Again]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:57am

Go see it!!!
ITs is mindless fun and thats the best prt of it. went to the 12 am show and the theatre was packed with people who wanted to let loose and ahve a blast. AND WE DID!!!!

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 10:33am

That's all I want and that's all I'm expecting.

While I know that John Travolta has his admirers for his take on Edna in "Hairspray," he damaged what was otherwise a perfectly cast movie. Does Pierce Brosnan do the same thing here?

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 12:43pm

Hi,
I thought Baranski was fabulous. Streep and Brosnan are not great vocally but they do well in the acting department.

Mamma Mia is mindless fun and if you go in knowing that you will be bound to have a great time. I loved the film but not the vocals of Pierce. At times I wanted earplugs but he acts the part and is very nice to look at.

See it for Baranski. She makes the movie a riot. I do admire her very much. She is a pro. I didn't think I would like the film but I had a blast. I actually think Travolta would have been great in the role. I liked it more than the Hairspray film but that is me.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 3:01pm

See, I keep hearing how great Streep is singing, but when I watch the previews or listen to her vocals on the website, she sounds off, sometimes like fingernails on a blackboard. I wonder if it is just because she is "STREEP" that she is getting rave reviews for her singing.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 3:28pm

I didn't care for the movie. Streep can sing, but not all these songs suit her. I thought she was great on The Winner Takes It All. I went in expecting mindless fun, but for me, there's a difference between mindless and stupid. For me, this was the latter. It seemed like they were all trying so hard to show us how much fun they were having, but if it's fun, should you have to try so hard?

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 3:50pm

I have now read three reviews from reputable sources using the word "punishing" to describe the FUN!! FUN!!! FUN!!!! atmosphere of the movie.

[zooxanthellae]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 3:51pm

I thought Meryl's vocals were fine and quite impressive on "The Winner Take it All." Pierce Brosnan was awfully bad, but it doesn't really ruin the entire movie.

It was Christine Baranski, however, that stole the entire movie right from underneath Meryl's feet (and I loved Meryl!). "Does Your Mother Know" was the best number in the movie! Julie Walters was a riot as well. Brava ladies!

I did not care for any of the other characters (or actors/actresses), but while the "trio" was on screen the movie was quite fun!

Updated On: 7/18/08 at 03:51 PM

[wicked91]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 4:26pm

Unfortunately, Pierce did ruin the movie for me.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 5:06pm

I actually think Travolta would have been great in the role.

You're kidding, right?

PLEASE tell me you're kidding.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 5:22pm

Pierce sings in the movie for what...6,8..10 minutes tops !!! When he does not sing he looks terrific and he acts great ! How can a secondary character's few bad minutes, ruin a fabulous movie is a big mystery for me !!! The negative critics have taken this flaw of one actor and they run away with it, like he is THE star or like his role is so crucial, like playing Jean Valjean in a Les Miz movie !!!

[BillyE]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 5:32pm

I just got back home after trying for the 4:25 at my local multiplex, sold out. Oh well!
The review in the Star Ledger was dreadful (nj.com).
After hearing the soundtrack, I don't have high expectations, but I love Mamma Mia, and I'm an Abba fan, so I'll see it no matter what.
Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, less crowded (and I work weekends).

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 5:41pm

Greekmusicalfan, I completely agree with you.

Sometimes I fear critics take things way too seriously. A good critic can analyze a movie from many points of view. A bad critic will analyze things from the same point of view over and over again.

I don't know what critics were expecting when they went into this movie, but I know it delivered everything I wanted and more. Everyone in the theatres both times I've seen the movie seemed to be having a wonderful time.

While, yes, I think Pierce was the only actor who looked like he was singing the words instead of acting the words...it far but ruined the movie for me. I think he acted the part well and did a serviceable job with the songs.

[Eagleman]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:01pm

The intellectually elite are still trying to comprehend why "Gilligan's Island" and
"Hogan's Heroes" became the successes they were.

People vote with their feet concerning entertainment. In it's way "Mamma Mia!" the movie is a lot like "Gilligan's Island" with a few noticeable exceptions aside from the
obvious allure of Abba's music and Meryl Streep, The movie has more than few
things going for it. Amanda Seigfreid, like Sally Fields, Cher, and Jessica Lange before here--exceptional actresses whose careers were launched in a dubious manner--is the real deal and there will be at the least, in her future, an oscar nomination or award before she is considered matronly.

Then, too, largely because of Streep and Seigfreid, there are enough genuinely touching moments in the movie that one would think would resonate with even the most unflattering critic. That they are outnumbered greatly by scenes that should have been left on the cutting room floor does not negate their existence or quality.

On balance, having just seen the movie, I am of the opinion that "Mamma Mia!" will
be a great box office success not merely because of Abba's music but because of
the touching way Amanda Seigfreid draws a large part of the audience into her
touching to know the identity of her father.

As inane and hamfisted as the movie was executed much of the time, there are real-world themes here which are ultimately resolved in a satisfying manner.

I'm a bit perplexed about the skewering of Pierce Brosnan's singing. He is certainly not Josh Groban but on the other hand Ethel Merman and Carol Channing were not easy listening, either.

The bottom line: "Mamma Mia!:" the musical is a cinematic Rorshach test. What you
see in it is what you bring to the table.

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:02pm

Loved the stage show. Hated the film.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:15pm

The movies is barely over 1 hour & 45 minutes long. Now I see why a number of the songs are not in it. I guess by shortening it they can squeeze in a few more showings

[bundy5000]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:18pm

I don't care about the reviews. It is all about "If you had a good time" That is ALL that matters. It is an awful movie but one who followed ABBA and Mamma Mia for most of his life. IT IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. Not to mention less than 48 hrs ago I met Meryl Streep

[hox]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:19pm

The play was good but disappointed in the film. It was poorly cast. It was a hollywood movie. They should have used singers that can act not actors that can just carry a tune. Sophie was good, and was filmed in the perfect spot. Makes me wonder what they will do to movies like Aida if its made. Probably ruin it like this one. Glad I saw it but not that great. Love the story.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 12:31am

They should have used singers that can act not actors

I suggest you never become a director then, because if you constantly cast "singers who can act" rather than "actors who can carry a tune"...the audience will be mighty bored when no one's singing.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 7/19/08 at 1:52am

Her name is Amanda SEYFRIED.

Sorry, but I've seen it spelled all kinds of ways in several different threads and thought someone should set it straight for the girl.