OK for kids 13+
Upbeat, silly ABBA musical is flimsy but fun.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this lightweight, sun-kissed musical will likely appeal to the teen girls (and their moms) who make up much of the fan base of the Broadway musical it's based on. Language is quite tame overall ("ass" is about as strong as it gets), but sexual innuendoes do fly -- there are plenty in the ABBA song lyrics alone -- and one of the main characters is a woman who gets pregnant but doesn't know who her baby's father is. There's also a brief, non-sexual glimpse of a man's bare butt and a fair amount of drinking, but it's mostly in the context of everyone having fun on a Greek island, and it's all pretty social in nature.
- Families can talk about who this movie is meant to appeal to -- older fans who've been listening to ABBA since they first hit it big, or younger folks who might be familiar with the Broadway show. Do musicals translate well to the big screen? What makes them successful (or not)? What messages does the movie send about relationships and marriage?
The good stuff
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Messages: Allusions to infidelity, abandonment, and sexual indiscretions. A daughter lies to her mother about inviting three men from her past to her wedding. Otherwise, truly earnest and warmhearted..
What to watch for
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Violence: Men and women yell at each other about past disagreements and misunderstandings; a mother and daughter argue.
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Sex: Sexual innuendo in song lyrics and conversations (for example, a hand drill is waved around in a suggestive way to signal sexual intercourse). One character is very open about her cougar-like sensibilities, preying on a younger man -- and vice-versa. Lots of reminiscing about sexual escapades of the past. One scene shows a man's naked backside, though not in a sexual context. A sex toy is seen briefly during a dance sequence. A quick kiss between two men; one key character turns out to be gay.
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Language: Fairly tame, with a few uses of "ass," "crap," and "frickin'."
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Consumerism: A few labels: Duke University T-shirt, logos for Greek taxis. And, of course, the entire movie helps promote ABBA songs (and also the Broadway musical the movie is based on).
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Lots of alcoholic libations, but they're only consumed in social settings. Some cigar smoking; references to weed.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Very not what I expected! by saintandrew
OK. Mama Mia was on my ?don't care? list. I didn't really plan to see it. First, because Theatrical Musicals usually have a tough time making it on the screen and I prefer them on Broadway, and second, because I couldn't imagine Pierce Brosnan singing in a musical. (Hold over from enjoying him as James Bond I guess) But my wife and some close friends dragged me to see it as I kept trying to convince them that we'd enjoy X-Files much more. (Maybe it?s my male ego?!) Nevertheless, I not only enjoyed it, I loved it. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered right along with what seemed to be an audience predominantly composed of women and Abba fans. Besides the incredible performances by Brosnan and Streep, Christine Baranski and Julie Walters steal the show. Stellen Skarsgard - guess which character he was in Pirates of the Caribbean, I dare you! - is world class as is Colin Firth. Love Colin in any role really. Guys - Amanda Seyfried will make you remember your first love. Go see it.
5
it was good by Babydoll0904
I saw mama mia on broadway and it was great and so was the movie. i love the music and it made me want to sign... i loved it so did my mother and daughter and husband... great movie.. the music was good, singing was wow.. never thought the actors could sing like that.
4
summertime fare by sulijohnson
Oh, just go. It's fun, it's campy, and it's something different.
Yes, the stage production really can't be topped, but Ms. Streep was fabulous. Mr. Brosnan was gorgeous, but woefully miscast in this role as he can't sing and overemotes while warbling. The supporting cast was mostly forgettable and the stars underutilized.
But there's fun music, laughs, and dancing. So, just go!
5
Go see it! by anime_luvr
I was looking forward to seeing this movie and I got to see it at a screening. The singing was good, the story was just ok for me. However, I must say that the movie did entertain me and I had a great time. There are definitely very good points of the movie that had me falling out of my seat laughing. Even though I got to see an advance screening, I think I may go and watch it again.
5
MAMMA MIA!!!!! by emmie5018
that was the best movie ever!!!
it is my favorite movie of all time!!!
please you must go see it it is wonderful!!!
i am buying it the day it comes out om DVD!!!
5
Sandy 1952 by sandy1952
Go and enjoy. Best money I have spent in a long time. Everybody was fantastic. I didn't know that most of the actors could also sing. This was just a whole lot of fun and a great way to pass a couple of hours.
5
Hilarious Romp! by hudawife
They key to enjoying this movie is 1) a knowledge of ABBA songs, and 2)seeing that even the actors find the silliness in the whole thing. I went with a soldout theatre full of fans, and we were all falling out of our chairs laughing, crying, the whole time. It's so hilarious, and the actors singing in their real voices actually makes gives it a little more reality, honesty, and flow. This seemed like a fun project for the actors, and I just wanted to be the fly on the wall during filiming, because their excitement just poured through the screen. Take it for what it is, and let yourseft get lost in the silliness of it, and you'll have a great time. If you're expecting Oscar caliber work, I agree, look elsewhere; but for a gut busting night of nostalgia and beautifully captured scenes, this is spot on!
5
best movie of the summer by water bug
This movie was really good i loved it i think that it was the best movie of the year
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!
5
MAMA MIA!!! by sheenamarie9811
I went with my mom to go see this movie and we both were DYING from laughter. This movie is the best movie of the summer and I would absolutely go see it again.
5
Mama Mia by whozon
What a blast! So very fun and we giggled all the way through. The songs brought back many memories (some that should have been forgotten, but thankfully, are just a fuzzy blur now - remembering the dancing at the gay bars in S.F.). The choreography made me want to join in with them all! The singing was fabulous. Is there really a place like that? I want to go - how beautiful the colors and filming! And even though Pierce Brosnan has no voice whatsoever, he still stirred my heartstrings. All the backup crowd were funny and great, especially the hotel 'crew'. The girls and boys were darling, Meryl Streep was amazing, as were her cronies and old lovers. Very. very fun. Kids may not relate to the music as I did (I am of the generation who grew up with ABBA), but the tunes are not of a generation, they are of an era - timeless. I would certainly watch (and dance) with this film again!