Seen it once? Seen it twice!
Mmmkay, so, Saturday continued the movie watching with Mamma Mia! (and then again on Sunday, since I loved it so much).
To recap quickly, I went to Vancouver a few years back to see the musical live at the Queen Elizabeth theatre and I loved it, pure and simple. Loved it so much that every joy I had about hearing it made into a movie was shadowed with a dread that they would "do it wrong" in every way. The reviews that I heard "Meryl Streep was the only good reason to see it" furthered the dread, which I am pleased to say was UNFOUNDED once I did see it! ♥
And, before we being the cut and spoiler talk, two songs from the soundtrack that I bounced out to purchase right after watching it the first time.
Mamma Mia - Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia (title song ftw)
Mamma Mia - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski - Dancing Queen (who could resist?)
Mamma Mia - Meryl Streep - The Winner Takes It All (best scene in the movie, imo)
This movie totally blew me away in terms of casting. Things fit, people fit into their roles amazingly well. The only gaps I perceived, really, were the tall blonde friend (orz forget her name) and some of the singing talent for Pierce Brosnan -- I understand that he took lots of singing classes and acknowledge he did REALLY well, but his voice was trying to sing songs that his voice was not cut out to do.
What continues to amaze me is the storyline that they created based upon a series of songs by ABBA. The plot is coherent, and the songs -- even the interludes -- simply FIT in ways that took a lot of dedication and skill to make. The second time watching, lots of little lines in the lyrics made me realise exactly how sound of a fit everything was made to be. Little nuances of character history and present (and now you're a banker) and on and on.
Sophie still had the potential to drive me insane, but I loved how the actress took to the role, and how she interacted with Meryl Streep, who TOTALLY shone beautifullly. How involved she was with that role. One really felt for Donna and everything she experienced/endured. The scene where she is talking to Sam and goes into Winner Takes It All? Seriously the most beautiful scene of the movie. The motions she makes while singing just draws you into the conflict she feels inside and how she's trying to cope with the three fathers of her daughter, in particular that of Sam.
And, despite my comment on his singing, I think Pierce Brosnan did quite well in this role and DO enjoy listening to most of his portions of the soundtrack (short of the proposal orz).
Also? Donna and the Dynamites? TOTAL WIN FOR CASTING. They truly made the movie.
Overall, if you take recommendations? GO SEE THIS AS MOVIE OR LIVE THEATRE. Very, very worth it. ♥
To recap quickly, I went to Vancouver a few years back to see the musical live at the Queen Elizabeth theatre and I loved it, pure and simple. Loved it so much that every joy I had about hearing it made into a movie was shadowed with a dread that they would "do it wrong" in every way. The reviews that I heard "Meryl Streep was the only good reason to see it" furthered the dread, which I am pleased to say was UNFOUNDED once I did see it! ♥
And, before we being the cut and spoiler talk, two songs from the soundtrack that I bounced out to purchase right after watching it the first time.
Mamma Mia - Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia (title song ftw)
Mamma Mia - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski - Dancing Queen (who could resist?)
Mamma Mia - Meryl Streep - The Winner Takes It All (best scene in the movie, imo)
This movie totally blew me away in terms of casting. Things fit, people fit into their roles amazingly well. The only gaps I perceived, really, were the tall blonde friend (orz forget her name) and some of the singing talent for Pierce Brosnan -- I understand that he took lots of singing classes and acknowledge he did REALLY well, but his voice was trying to sing songs that his voice was not cut out to do.
What continues to amaze me is the storyline that they created based upon a series of songs by ABBA. The plot is coherent, and the songs -- even the interludes -- simply FIT in ways that took a lot of dedication and skill to make. The second time watching, lots of little lines in the lyrics made me realise exactly how sound of a fit everything was made to be. Little nuances of character history and present (and now you're a banker) and on and on.
Sophie still had the potential to drive me insane, but I loved how the actress took to the role, and how she interacted with Meryl Streep, who TOTALLY shone beautifullly. How involved she was with that role. One really felt for Donna and everything she experienced/endured. The scene where she is talking to Sam and goes into Winner Takes It All? Seriously the most beautiful scene of the movie. The motions she makes while singing just draws you into the conflict she feels inside and how she's trying to cope with the three fathers of her daughter, in particular that of Sam.
And, despite my comment on his singing, I think Pierce Brosnan did quite well in this role and DO enjoy listening to most of his portions of the soundtrack (short of the proposal orz).
Also? Donna and the Dynamites? TOTAL WIN FOR CASTING. They truly made the movie.
Overall, if you take recommendations? GO SEE THIS AS MOVIE OR LIVE THEATRE. Very, very worth it. ♥