Mamm A Knows Best

After 10 years, Mamma Mia is baaaack. The smash jukebox musical returns with more Greek island shenanigans and even more Abba hits (yes, there’s still enough to go around for a second film). Here’s what to know about Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again before you catch it in theatres.

- Jasmine Teo

1. WHAT A DIFFERENCE 10 YEARS MAKE. 

Let’s face it: There would be no Mamma Mia if someone had decided to go for a DNA test, rather than sing about finding her biological father. In the first movie based on the Broadway musical 10 years ago, bride-to-be Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) schemes to find out who among Mum’s (the dungareed Donna played by Meryl Streep) three ex-flames is her biological dad, just so he can walk her down the aisle. Ten years and US$610mil at the box office later, the gang’s back at the beautiful fictitious Greek island of Kalokairi. The sophomore flick goes back and forth in time. In flashback scenes, we see the young Donna (played by Lily James of Cinderella and Downton Abbey fame) in that wild, wild summer where she meets three strapping young lads. As the story unfolds and the ABBA songs are sung, the present-day sitch unravels too: Sophie’s relationship status is now unclear and she’s busying herself with the opening of a new hotel in tribute to her late mother (relax, Streep is still in the sequel), all while keeping a secret of her own under wraps.

2. CHER-ING IS CARING.