Mamma Mia! Here We Go AgainDirector: Ol ParkerStarring: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Lily James, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Dominic CooperRating: ★★★★

REVIEW
By JASMINE SHEPARD

A stunning setting by the sparkling Aegean sea, enormous bell sleeves stemming from bedazzled bodysuits, and dramatic choreography to the nostalgic hits of 1970s pop group ABBA.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is the much-anticipated sequel to the cult favourite, and does not disappoint.

The audience is drawn immediately back into the world of romance and self-discovery through powerful ballads and energetic dance numbers.

Here We Go Again picks up 10 years after Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) invited her three possible fathers to her wedding, without the knowledge of her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep).

Sophie is the focus of the second movie, as she struggles with the recent death of her mother and reopens the hotel on the island in her honour.

Flashbacks reveal the stories of Donna’s youth, including the beginning of her relationships with Sam, (Pierce Brosnan), Bill (Stellan Skarsgård) and Harry (Colin Firth). The story weaves the past and present experiences of mother and daughter together, linking the generations through their similar struggles for self-discovery and independence.

The absence of Meryl Streep in the initial trailers worried some protective fans, who raised doubts about whether a new, younger cast could overcome the lack of Streep's presence. 

Movie-goer Laura Sivell,  an avid Mamma Mia fan, said she had been worried if the movie would be any good without Streep. 

“The cutting out of Meryl Streep was a very bold idea, but I think worked really well,” she said. “The story followed through perfectly with the original.” 

Fellow movie-goers Karen Watson and Tanya Tanner also enjoyed the sequel.

“We didn’t really know what to expect,” Ms Watson said. “We came in with low expectations, as usually the second movie is never as good, but we were completely surprised.”

The sequel puts greater focus on the quality of musical performance and reinvigorates the storyline, while remaining true to the style of the original.

The talent introduced in the sequel to play the young versions of Donna (Lily James), Sam (Jeremy Irvine), Bill (Josh Dylan) and Harry (Hugh Skinner) maintained the upbeat musical energy and were able to deliver great depth and range in their vocal performances.

The cleverly woven storyline, vibrant musical numbers and clichéd but loveable humour of the original movie made Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again the feel good, toe-tapping tale everyone hoped it would be.