I always say that musicals just aren’t my thing. Maybe it’s the after effects of being forced to watch The Sound Of Music as a kid way more times than anyone should. But in recent years I’ve discovered that the modern musical ain’t so bad. I believe it started with Moulin Rouge, and flowed into Chicago, than last year with Dreamgirls and this year with Hairspray. I haven’t seen Sweeney Todd yet, but I’m betting I’ll like it. Either musicals have changed, or I’ve just come to appreciate them.
But then comes the trailer for Mamma Mia!, which doesn’t look interesting to me in the least. The musical numbers look more like something you would see in a television production than the big screen. The dreadful close-ups and bad acting just look all so aweful. Please, someone, convince me that I’m wrong. Point out the genius that I’m not finding, and tell em why I should be hyped for this film adaptation.
Check out the trailer after the jump.
You can also watch the trailer in High Definition on AOL. Mamma Mia! hits theaters on July 18th, 2008.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:50 am
What about ‘Everyone says I love you’. That’s a nice musical, too.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:23 am
Looks awful from this trailer.
PS did anyone else notice how the girl’s boobs bounce about 8 times in like… one second (it’s at the final 5 seconds of the trailer). Wow.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:07 am
You didn’t mention Rent, one of the best of the recent musicals in my opinion.
So… I find it kind of hard to believe that all those stars just happen to be able to sing. Should be interesting to see how it turns out.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:16 am
I don’t agree. Ireally like the trailer of Mamma Mia! The music is great, also the acting. I’m sure this movie wil be a big hit next year!
December 14th, 2007 at 9:45 am
it looks great, and take in account that this is a teaser, the full trailer will be even better
can’t wait for this!
December 14th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I’m going to have to side with the ‘looks terrible.’
Of course, all those other musicals were pretty inventive. Moulin Rouge had a groovy soundtrack, Chicago was edgy with gorgeous sets and costumes, Dreamgirls had breakout, surprising performances, etc. Mama Mia! just looks hokey.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I personally think that Mamma Mia is dumb on Broadway, so I don’t think a transfer to the big screen will help that. I’d loved to be proved wrong, but I doubt I will be.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Amazing how so many people assume trailers to be indicative of the movie. It is JUST a trailer with a few seconds here and there of a 90 minute plus movie. At least there are songs in the trailer unlike previous musical trailers that barely showed the movie to be a musical.
OK Mamma Mia may not be popular because it is a musical, the songs are by ABBA, and the songs weren’t written specifically for a particular plot (stage or screen). But the fact that it has been SO popular and in the eyes of producers a well oiled money making machine … who could blame them for wanting even more and more of our money!
It may surprise many that Streep & Baranski started their acting careers on stage and in musicals. As for the other actors they must have some talent in singing but were most likely cast because they will draw a wider audience. Again MONEY is all that matters.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Peter, having seen the show countless times I can tell you that what you’re seeing in the trailer is probably about as deep or interesting as the movie. There is no genius behind this movie just plain silly ABBA fun. The only reason to be SUPER excited is to hear Meyrl Streep belting to the rafters.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
“Amazing how so many people assume trailers to be indicative of the movie.”
This is why trailers exist. If you have a shitty trailer, people are going to assume you have a shitty movie and not see it. I’d never see this movie unless something miraculous happens and it gets stellar reviews as something more than hockey ABBA schlock.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:56 am
Cant wait, love the music,,, it is a light harted fun movie,, lighten up people ,,,
January 20th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Honestly, I was embarrassed when I sat through this. Not only does the music annoy me, but the whole idea just doesn’t sit well. It really all boils down to opinion though.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:11 am
As people who saw the stage show more twelve times, we can’t wait to see the movie. Although the trailer does state the main plot, it doesn’t give the whole story the justice it deserves. The trailer’s just a trailer to entice you to watch, even if you don’t think so. Don’t be turned away by it.
I just want to know from the people who have posted, do you know that the ones who wrote the stage show are the two men from Abba? And do the ones who are basically flat out bagging it just from a sample, did you even go to see the stage show? And if you did, did you try to just enjoy it for what it was without analyzing it? This is meant to be a fun and happy movie, and for those of you that are assuming that it should be something more, just give it a chance and judge afterwards. People miss alot, and most information is lost through word of mouth, you may never understand thr whole nature and fun of it if you don’t bare witness to it yourself. Just losen up, take a break, and try to chill out with this. It’s meant to be a funny movie, not something that you have to study ever angle of and judge.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I’ve always been a big fan of ABBA, as well as musical theatre. So I was thrilled when I scored front row mezzanine seats to MAMMA MIA on Broadway at the Wintergarden theatre. That is, until I actually saw the show.
Don’t get me wrong. I love all kinds of plays & musicals, from dramatic and dark, like SWEENEY TODD, to light, silly and fluffy, like THE PRODUCERS, but I can honestly say that MAMMA MIA the musical was a piece of ca-ca. It pretty much sucked from beginning to end. The reason?– the book (story), which is really no more than a pitiful narrative device to shove together (read; capitalize on) ABBA’s music via a stupid, predictable and sophomoric plot. Girl on an island trying to find her real father. All three candidates just happen to be there at the same time. Who will it be? It felt like an extended episode of THE LOVE BOAT. In my opinion, the one scene, and I mean the ONLY scene that worked at all was the very last one, when the show turned into more of a live concert with the cast wearing the same kitchy, over-the-top fashions ABBA actually performed in. I personally would have dumped the whole stupid, awkward, pasted-on book, taken the ABBA songs and started over, maybe rethinking the show as more of an extravagant “ABBA Live in Concert” event.
When I heard Meryl Streep, whom I idolize, was going to be involved in the movie version , I was more than a little surprised. In fact, I remember saying to a number of people, “Wow, she must have had them rework the script big time, cause I can’t imagine her agreeing to be in it as is.” Now I see from the trailer that MAMMA MIA has NOT been reworked. It’s the same innane piece of crap I saw on Broadway. This may be the very FIRST movie of Meryl Streep’s that I don’t see. I spent almost 100 bucks to sit through this crappola once. Believe me, that was MORE than enough.