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I will confess to liking, no, loving ABBA. As you may have suspected, I actually love eurodisco and especially Swedish music.
When I saw that Mamma Mia! The Movie opened earlier this year, I was hesitant to see it because I didn't think the original ABBA members was involved in the movie (although I think Björn Ulvaeus shows up in a cameo playing piano in one of the scene). When I saw the DVD for sale last Tuesday, I decided to take a chance on it. There was a few deciding factors involved, pricing and for a limited time at Target, it comes with the movie soundtrack. It also comes with a digital version of the movie for your computer and/or iPod, which tipped the scale for me.
After viewing the "2008 Golden Globe-nominated film", I can see why it would work for the stage... but not in motion picture format. There just seem to be something lacking for me. Mostly because I didn't really like literal translation of the songs, especially when I have my own interpretation of the original ABBA songs. And, really, do I need to see Dominic Cooper holding a cigar when he sings, "you used to say that smoking was my only vice" on "Lay All Your Love On Me"? Really? Really?!!?
Songs like "Does Your Mother Know?" is re-interpreted as an older lady and a younger boy, going as far as changing the lyrics to fit the scenario. Maybe the film works as a family film (although there are some pretty saucy/suggestive scenes...) or a good-old fashion musical.
I love most of the songs, and the soundtrack (these are studio takes, not lifted from the film) is awesome. I especially love hearing "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" and "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia!". I felt "Gimme" was underused in the movie.
So, I suppose I really liked some of the songs, but not all, but overall didn't like the "feel-good" movie. I'll tell you what though, I don't really like comedy or family-type films, so don't read too much in my criticism. The type of movie I do enjoy is, recently, Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie.
Incidentally, ABBA's "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" popped up recently in a mashup that Jaklumen previously mentioned.
When I saw that Mamma Mia! The Movie opened earlier this year, I was hesitant to see it because I didn't think the original ABBA members was involved in the movie (although I think Björn Ulvaeus shows up in a cameo playing piano in one of the scene). When I saw the DVD for sale last Tuesday, I decided to take a chance on it. There was a few deciding factors involved, pricing and for a limited time at Target, it comes with the movie soundtrack. It also comes with a digital version of the movie for your computer and/or iPod, which tipped the scale for me.
After viewing the "2008 Golden Globe-nominated film", I can see why it would work for the stage... but not in motion picture format. There just seem to be something lacking for me. Mostly because I didn't really like literal translation of the songs, especially when I have my own interpretation of the original ABBA songs. And, really, do I need to see Dominic Cooper holding a cigar when he sings, "you used to say that smoking was my only vice" on "Lay All Your Love On Me"? Really? Really?!!?
Songs like "Does Your Mother Know?" is re-interpreted as an older lady and a younger boy, going as far as changing the lyrics to fit the scenario. Maybe the film works as a family film (although there are some pretty saucy/suggestive scenes...) or a good-old fashion musical.
So, I suppose I really liked some of the songs, but not all, but overall didn't like the "feel-good" movie. I'll tell you what though, I don't really like comedy or family-type films, so don't read too much in my criticism. The type of movie I do enjoy is, recently, Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie.
Incidentally, ABBA's "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" popped up recently in a mashup that Jaklumen previously mentioned.
Links: mammamiamovie.com abbasite.com
