Brief Summary
This episode of The Ampliverse discusses "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," covering personal connections to the film, plot summary, historical context, and a detailed analysis of various aspects including the cast, music, and themes. The hosts share their opinions, dissect the movie's strengths and weaknesses, and explore its cultural impact.
- The episode includes a plot summary of "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again".
- The hosts discuss the music, casting choices, and the overall impact of the film.
- They analyze the movie's themes of grief, motherhood, and female relationships.
Intro
The episode is a fan request from Nicole, who wanted the hosts to review "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" for her birthday. The hosts express excitement about finally discussing the movie after teasing it for a long time.
Opening Banter and Personal Updates
The hosts engage in lighthearted banter, discussing personal updates. RJ hints at potential company restructuring and economic changes. Molly shares her excitement about moving to a new apartment in San Diego and potentially roller skating to work. They acknowledge that this episode will be released on Mother's Day and tease possible snippets of their mothers' opinions on the movie.
Plot Summary of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
RJ provides a concise plot summary of "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," detailing Sophie's reopening of her mother's hotel, flashbacks to Donna's youth, a storm disrupting the grand reopening, and the arrival of Sophie's grandmother, Ruby. The summary also touches on Sophie's pregnancy and her emotional connection to her mother's legacy. There is a brief discussion about whether Sam is definitively Sophie's biological father, with the consensus being that it remains ambiguous.
Initial Reactions and Background
The hosts share their initial experiences with the movie. Adam recounts seeing it in a packed theater with an enthusiastic audience, calling it one of his top movie-going experiences. RJ mentions watching the first "Mamma Mia!" before seeing the sequel in theaters and notes his family's love for ABBA. Molly admits to never having watched it before and expresses her dislike for ABBA, setting the stage for her critical perspective.
Production Details and Historical Context
The hosts provide background information on the movie, including the director, writers, cast, and production companies. They note that Ol Parker directed the film, succeeding Phyllida Lloyd from the first movie. They discuss the cast, highlighting Lily James as young Donna, Amanda Seyfried as Sophie, and Cher as Ruby. They also share interesting facts, such as the role of Ruby being written for Cher and the potential for a third movie.
Molly's Take on the Film
Molly shares her overall take on the film, stating that she thought it was better than the first one, but still dislikes both movies. She expresses her dislike for ABBA's music, particularly "Dancing Queen," and describes her struggle to connect with disco music. She appreciates Amanda Seyfried's performance and Lily James's portrayal of a young Donna.
Prequel Aspects and Young Donna
The hosts discuss the prequel aspect of the film, focusing on Lily James's portrayal of young Donna. They analyze the opening scene at graduation and the song "When I Kissed the Teacher." They explore Donna's character as carefree and independent, noting that Lily James effectively captures a young Meryl Streep impression.
Travel and the Paris Scene
The hosts discuss their personal experiences with travel, with Molly expressing her dislike for it due to logistical stress and expense. They transition to discussing the Paris scene in the movie, where young Donna meets Harry. They analyze the "Waterloo" musical number in a Napoleon-themed restaurant, debating whether it fits the tone of the film.
The Three Young Men and Arrival in Greece
The hosts discuss the three young men in Donna's life, Bill, Harry and Sam, and their portrayals in the film. They talk about Donna's arrival in Greece and her discovery of a horse in a house. They also discuss the arrival of Donna's friends, Rosie and Tanya, and the origin story of how they wrote the song "Mamma Mia."
Cher's Arrival and the Climax
The hosts discuss Cher's arrival in the movie and her performance. Molly focuses on Cher's outfit, describing it in detail and questioning its design choices. They analyze the wigs and costumes, debating whether they fit the overall aesthetic of the film.
The Ending and Emotional Impact
The hosts discuss the ending of the movie, particularly the emotional impact of Meryl Streep's performance of "My Love, My Life." They analyze the scene where Sophie is holding the baby about to go in for the baptism and the transition to Lily James holding a baby in her own baptism. They also discuss the themes of motherhood, female relationships, and the passing on of caretaker roles to the next generation.
Reviews and MVP
The hosts share reviews of the movie from various sources, including Rotten Tomatoes, Variety, Vanity Fair, and The Hollywood Reporter. They then choose their MVPs for the movie, with Adam picking Jessica Keenan Wynn (young Tanya), RJ picking young Bill, and Molly picking Lily James.
Closing Thoughts and Next Episode
The hosts share their closing thoughts on the movie, with Molly posing a question about which pop divas from the 2000s would cameo in a jukebox musical of a rival pop star or group. They then tease the next episode, which will be about "Legally Blonde."
