Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Cher raises the diva roof and Meryl Streep again causes floods of tears in this sequel that showcases some of Abba's less-familiar songs. Back on the Greek island of Kalokairi, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is organising a gala re-opening of the taverna belonging to her mother, Donna (Streep). Leaning on Donna's best friends (Christine Baranski and Julie Walters) for support, especially after learning she's pregnant, Sophie enjoys their stories of her mother's adventurous youth, and how she met each of her possible fathers. Flatly directed by Ol Parker, the film's wafer-thin plot sporadically springs to life during such songs as Andante, Andante, Fernando, Angel Eyes, and the reprised Dancing Queen and Waterloo, the latter raucously staged in a Paris cafe. Lily James is adorable as the younger incarnation of Donna, while Cher (as Sophie's grandmother) also features among the stars performing quality pop in sun-kissed surroundings.