2)I've never seen a stage production of Mamma Mia, but I own the cast album and I'm aware of its meager plot. Like many a musical, Mia is cursed with an inane book.
3)I went to the Meryl Streep starring movie version on Saturday with high hopes of a good time, but also burdened by a slight headache and rotten mood not improved by a slow moving line at the concession stand and then having to face the fact that the screening was almost full and I was going to have to sit in the front row.
Next to a six year old boy.
4)Mamma Mia the movie is ineptly directed and very badly photographed. (In some shots, Streep looks about 30 and in others, she looks older than God's nightgown). The plot is unoriginal (The Secret of Santa Vittoria was obviously a major influence) and the characters are cardboard and crudely drawn. The female characters carry the show and get all the best songs and lines and the men have nothing to do. The actresses are hammy and the actors playing the three dads, cannot sing and aren't very interesting. The Greek setting is beautiful but the interior sets look phony and harshly lighted. A couple of the songs are boring and desperately need trimmed out of the film.
5)All that being said, Mamma Mia is the most fun I've had at the movies in a very long time. It's silly and campy and dumb and a hell of a lot of fun. The very mixed audience I saw it with, (quite a few geighs and 40ish women but also quite a few families and young couples) had a very enjoyable time and there was some subtle sing-a-longs happening during the more beloved numbers. It lifted my spirits and improved my mood immensely and I might see it again, hopefully with better seats.
6)Oh, and STAY THROUGH THE CLOSING CREDITS!!! There's a very entertaining medley during the credits with the entire cast singing the major songs, just like the stage show.
Sophie can sing; 007 can't...
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