Remakes and sequels seem to be a growing trend in the film industry these days, and in 2018 that trend even reached the world of movie musicals with Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again. Released nearly ten years to the date since the first movie, Here We Go Again takes us back to the island of Kalokairi and reintroduces us to those characters we grew to love in the first film and in the stage show. We quickly learn the fate of Donna Sheridan, and are rapidly thrown into a series of flashbacks, running alongside Sophie’s story as she has to adjust to a life without her mother.

Much like in the first film, Here We Go Again fully takes advantage of the beautiful tropical setting, transporting us to the little island once more. Even though this movie actually used a location in Croatia for Kalokairi rather than Greece. We are also treated to scenes in England and Paris. Que plenty of boat rides and sweeping shots over the island, bringing us all back to the summer holiday feel of the first film, although it is more than obvious that it is a completely different island and a completely different hotel. Yes, the hotel had been through a huge renovation, but did they think that we wouldn’t notice that the hotel suddenly wasn’t on the top of a large rocky hill anymore?

That can only bring me on to this films biggest downfall. Plot holes! Now, I know Mamma Mia back to front, I know all of the details and everything about the characters. Of course I would notice any little plot hole and unfortunately this movie is absolutely crammed with them. I won’t dwell on it, but I would have liked to think that they would have paid more attention to the details. Yes, it’s been ten years since the first film came out, but avid fans know that film and understand the story inside out. I also don’t fully understand the timeline. I went thought the majority of the movie thinking that it must have been set ten years after the first, only to discover near the end that it was only five years. I mean, come on, some of those cast members are not passing for those ages anymore.

This movie brought back many of the cast from the original movie as well as introducing us to some of the much loved characters in their younger days. It could be said that the younger casts are truly the stand out stars of this film, with Lily James’ portrayal of a young Donna receiving rave reviews. The young dads are also great roles with Hugh Skinner playing a young Harry, Jeremy Irvine playing young Sam and Josh Dylan becoming a fan favourite in the role of young Bill. Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davis brought plenty of comedy and love as a young Tanya and Rosie.

One of the best things about the flashbacks in this story line was that it allowed for some gorgeous mirroring scenes. From a young Donna walking around the run down old barns in her youth to Sophie walking around the newly renovated hotel, as if to say look at how far we have come to the scene of Sophie’s birth mirroring a now grown Sophie singing about her love for her own unborn child.

There is a great selection of songs in Here We Go Again, with songs from the original making a return and plenty of new songs thrown in for good measure. Thankfully, we only have to listen to Peirce Brosnan sing a tiny little bit and we have the pleasure of listening to some great vocals from Amanda Seyfried, Lily James and Jessica Keenan Wynn.

One thing that this sequel has done is change the way that some fans look at the character of Sky. There is something about this film that paints him as the bad guy, trying to pull a grieving Sophie away from the place she loves and where she feels closest to her mother. Now, I have always loved the characters of Sophie and Sky, the love between them and the pure joy in young happy love, so I was a little saddened to see how this film portrayed Sky. In my opinion, he is not a villain, but he is mistaken. Thankfully, he realises that and returns home, but some people just can’t look at Sky the same way now.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is a great film if you turn a blind eye to all of the blaring plot holes, separate it from the original and not expect it to be too serious. It was called the feel good film of the year in 2018, but with it’s plot line it was still able to pull at the heart strings.