The glorious blue water, the dazzling sun drenched hills of Greece, gorgeous tanned ladies, hunky half naked men, luminous skies filled with full moons, Meryl Streep, singing, dancing, Abba...how could anyone defy the gravitation pull to enjoy Mamma Mia: The Movie.  In the immortal words of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of the pop group Abba...

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you!

 I couldn't resist - I couldn't resist at all!  This past weekend I got a chance to see the new screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Mama Mia; and it was fantastic.  Jam packed with gorgeous scenery, outstanding performances, toe tapping songs and a big hearted spirit that leaves movie watchers grinning from ear to ear; Mamma Mia: The Movie delivers a slam dunk. 

Don't expect Greek tragedy when you slide into your movie seat; Mamma Mia is all fluff.  Set on an idyllic Greek island, Donna (Meryl Streep) prepares to give away her daughter Sophie, that she raised alone, on her wedding day.  Sophie, however, has secretly invited three guests of her own who she plans on walking her down the aisle.  Sophie wants to know the identity of her father and sends invitations to the three men that (according to her mother's girlhood diary) are the highly likely candidates....and all three of them show up!  This story is liberally peppered with pop tunes from the legendary pop rock band Abba.  Hits such as Money, Money, Money, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, The Winner Takes it All, Take a Chance on Me, Waterloo and (of course) Mamma Mia - all make it on to the soundtrack.  Don't ask me how they make all of the songs work in the context of the movie, but they do (mostly).  The secret weapon of this movie and what elevates it considerably are the amazing performances of the cast.

Let's talk about the cast.  First and foremost there is Meryl (has she achieved "one name" status yet - along with Cher and Madonna - I think she has).  Ms. Meryl Streep, what can you say, she has proven over the years that she can read the phone book and be brilliant; now she proves that she can SING the phone book and be brilliant.  Streep is nothing short of genius in Mamma Mia.  She lights up the screen whenever she appears and manages to turn even the slightest Abba tune into an aria; she has a beautiful singing voice and we already know she is a fierce actresses.  She is clearly having the time of her life in the role of Donna Sheridan and her enjoyment is infectious.  There is also Amanda Seyfried who shares the screen with Ms. Streep and does exceptionally well.  She is a gifted actress who literally sparkles on the screen.  She is the heart and soul of the movie and without her star making performance it would fizzle.  The Streep/Seyfried combo turn this potential clunker into the must see movie of the summer.  

The two ladies are assisted by a top notch group of talent that sing, dance and ham it up to pleasurable effect.  Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard and Colin Firth are the would be daddies and while their singing voices are lacking their comedic skills are numerous.  Julie Walters and Christine Baranski are the dynamic duo who come to visit their old pal Donna and re-live their glory days as a girl band (one of the more implausible story lines of the movie, but heck - who is paying attention to those kinds of details).  Walters and Baranski are a pure delight and milk ever joke they are given. 

The other star of the movie is the scenery.  The film is gorgeous to behold.  The waters of Greece literally sparkle and the moonlight shimmers off the screen.  The vistas are dazzling and provide a sumptuous backdrop for the movie.  It is hard not to watch Mamma Mia and think "I want to go to Greece" (I had that thought, oh, every 14 seconds).  The filmmakers use this locale perfectly to create a magical fairytale mood that suits the movie perfectly.  I hope that the Greek Travel Council donated funds to Mamma Mia because the movies is like a 90 minute commercial.

While the bulk of movie goers this weekend may have lined up to see the new Batman movie The Dark Knight (I know I waited in line for 40 minutes to get into a screening and it was totally worth it - FYI), but for those seeking something on the lighter side with way more signing and dancing - you should check out Mamma Mia: The Movie.  It really is the "feel good" movie of the summer.  Go on, take a chance on Mamma Mia.  In the immortal words of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of the pop group Abba...

If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me!

If you need me, let me know, gonna be around.
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me!

Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie,
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me!

~ See You On The Aisle