Customer Reviews: Read 185 more reviews...
 Funtrack July 25, 2008
Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana)
64 out of 72 found this review helpful
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 for one just for fun
Amanda Richards, July 24, 2008
 missing a couple of songs from the movie... July 20, 2008
Daniel W. Kelly (Long Island, NY United States)
30 out of 35 found this review helpful
Had the soundtrack before I saw the movie, and just saw the movie tonight, and off the top of my head, songs that are missing from the soundtrack are: Chiquitita, "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" (although it plays a very minor role in the film) and Waterloo (sung during the encore performance). Of course, I'd still rather listen to the original flawless Abba recordings than this version, but it does more truly bring back memories of the movie.
A Decent Soundtrack July 9, 2008
Antoine D. Reid (Durham, NC United States)
26 out of 30 found this review helpful
Many know or are familiar with the music; "Mama Mia!" is all ABBA; fun, whimsical, outright blissful and enjoyable. The question is how does this movie soundtrack hold up? The answer is that it's pretty good. Right off hand, I felt some of the movie versions of these songs were a bit too campy and lacked the hard-to-capture spirit of the original. The songs where Pierce Brosnan sings on made me cringe, really taking me as a listener out of the song and making me feel thankful that he isn't featured on many songs. On the other hand, the Meryl Streep songs are actually really good. Her voice is well suited for the music, playing into the simplicity and able to capture the innocence and vibe of the songs.
For me, stand out tracks are "Our Last Summer", "Dancing Queen", "Lay All Your Love On Me", and the real stand-out on the soundtrack, "The Winner Takes It All" that features Meryl Streep really stretching her vocals. In all, it's an enjoyable soundtrack but it's always hard to rate this and not compare it to the original or even the broadway version. Check it out.
 SEX******No, SIX, not SEX ****** Yes, 6-STARS for Mamma Mia! July 22, 2008
Harold Wolf (Wells, IN United States)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
One star because it's a sexy comedy, it's a romantic story, it's a musical bonanza, and it's one of the best films for 2008, mark that down. Awards will come.
Star two, for the ABBA music. It is amazing how the writers have used the words of the famous ABBA songs and turned them into the plot and almost the complete story of "Mamma Mia!" Or did they change some of the words to fit the story? If you love ABBA music, this movie is a must. If you don't know about ABBA music, you'll want the DVD and the CD soundtrack by the time you leave the theater.
Star three, for...okay, it's a bit of a chick-flick. Lots of ladies doing a sterling performance. Meryl Streep will have you laughing off the theater seat at times. And Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, conspirators of the older trio of goofy gals are close behind the anticipated award lineup. Streep sings, dances, bounces on a bed, and even caulks with a caulking gun--does it all, and well. A second trio of young girls led by Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), try to out-shine the older trio in performing ABBA songs written likely prior to their birth. They leave the male viewers drooling in their popcorn. Yes, the male stars get their own chance with dancing and music. Regardless of who is the star performer for any given number, you listen and have to sing along, dance, laugh, or at least chuckle while toe tapping.
Star four represents the line dancing, chorus-line, or long pier choreography done first by a large ladies group and later another tune by men pier-dancing in flippers. Both ABBA numbers done over the inviting blue water's edge is worth the price of the movie. If "Mamma Mia!" DVDs were available at the exit door, everyone would be buying a copy on the way out.
Star five is for Greece and the setting for this dream of a wedding, as well as a perfect set for such a fantastic rendezvous with ABBA songs.
Star six is because "Mamma Mia!" has done with ABBA music, what "Yellow Submarine" did with Beatles music. Or because it is the first movie in recent years worth a theater return/rewatch while waiting for the DVD release. Can't wait? Try the soundtrack for appetizers.
MERYL THE DANCING QUEEN July 16, 2008
Robert F. Powers (Quincy, Ma USA)
11 out of 14 found this review helpful
Meryl Streep is a great American actor and now she has leaped feet-first into musical comedy and she is abba-solutely wonderful. Just by listening to her on this soundtrack it's obvious she is having the time of her life.
The London and Broadway show performed some of the songs as close as possible to ABBA(Dancing Queen-Super Trouper-Voulez-Vous and Mamma Mia)and happily the movie,with a few tweaks,has done the same.
"The Winner Takes It All" one of the few downbeat songs from ABBA does NOT belong in this tissue-thin,somewhat silly story, but Ms Streeps' plaintive and touching rendition MAKES it belong. I am sure Meryl Streep will not be over-looked at Oscar nomination time.
Just when you are about to throw your arms up in exasperation at vocally challenged Pierce Brosnan, he sneaks in with "When All Is Said And Done" and it's not bad at all.
The rest of the cast including Christine Baranski and Julie Walters all join in the fun and here's hoping the movie fleshes out the story-line somewhat.
I kinda missed "Thank You For The Music" but it it a hidden track following "I Have A Dream" but it is performed by Sophie accompanied by a single piano and i can bet the piano player was Benny Andersson.
This CD is hugely satisfying and exuberent and I can't wait to see the movie.
Just a small footnote; Anyone familiar with Meryl Streeps' films may notice the coincidence that the name of her daughter in the story is Sophie.
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