Mamma Mia! Movie

I have seen the movie, Mamma Mia, four times and will probably continue to see it weekly as long as it is playing. Just like the movie, this CD is so much fun to listen to. As I listen to the songs - actually blast them in my car and sing along - I relive the movie. It does, as the other reviews say, capture the fun and lightheartedness of the movie. Christine Baranski does a mean version of Does Your Mother Know and Pierce Brosnan was so brave singing but you have to admit he adds a real touch of sexiness to SOS in the movie and I also relive that in the CD. Each of the actors adds their own unique and personal touches to these songs and they are a delight to listen to. The only disappointment is that they didn't include Chiquitita and I Do, I Do, I Do (hence only 4 stars). If you love the movie, you HAVE to own this CD. Now I'm off to see Mamma Mia for the 5th - but not last - time........

This CD is a must-have just for the simple unadulterated pop culture value. This isn't one of those dramatic instrumental soundtracks with titles like "Wedding March" or "The Emperor is Dead", but instead is a lot of fun, especially for people who have grown up singing every word that ABBA ever wrote.

The eighteen songs (17 + hidden track) are all familiar ABBA hits, and you'll find yourself singing along with the likes of Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Amanda Seyfried and others.

Some of these unlikely songbirds can actually carry a note (albeit not too far), and others will make you smile (You're a brave man Pierce), but there's no denying that this soundtrack would make a great stocking stuffer or just-because gift for your favorite baby boomer.

Tracks not to be missed (whether good or just rather ambitious) are:

"Honey, Honey" - Amanda Seyfried

"Mamma Mia!" - Meryl Streep

"Dancing Queen" - Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters

"Our Last Summer" - Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgaard

"Lay All Your Love on Me" - Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried

"Super Trouper" - Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters

"SOS" - Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep

"Does Your Mother Know" - Christine Baranski and Philip Michael

"Take a Chance on Me" - Julie Walters and Stellan Skarsgaard

"I Have a Dream" / "Thank You for the Music" (Hidden Track) - Amanda Seyfried


Buy this one just for fun



Amanda Richards

For all of its awkwardness and simplistic beauty, this soundtrack captures the feeling of the plot and movie almost better than the stage musical. By now it is well known that ABBA founders, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, have tailored their numberous hits into a somewhat forced, but workable stage production that has been a world-wide modern classic. It was only a matter of time before this film was made and its done remarkably well; mixing acting, music and scenery nearly seamlessly. The instrumentals are toned down from the synthesized originals, but the musical excitement is still there. Cast members vary in degree of muscial accomplishment, but its no surprise that Streep can not only carry a tune well, but can inflect a kind of lyrical dialogue effectively without it sounding corny. Film daughter Amanda Seyfried also sings remarklably well, making the two leads a perfect match. The other cast members hit and miss with their vocals (Pierce Brosnan being nearly unlistenable), but the mood is caught and held. For its sheer simplicity, the cast makes this collection work and it is somewhat odd to realize that there are not very many musicals out there in this genre, making "Mama Mia" even more interesting. There is no apologing or embarrasment here, only well crafted pop-tunes that please in spite of themselves. It's a guilty pleasure.