MAMA MIA HERE WE GO AGAIN - The Prequel is Preferred Over the Original - It's a Chick Flick Delight

MAMA MIA ('08) was the ABBA movie musical that was an abomination despite it's starring Meryl Streep in the lead as Donna Sheridan.  The main plot was Donna's uncertainty who impregnanted her with baby Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and a bond of brotherhood of fathers is shared amongst the three possibilities.  Why spoil the fun with DNA tests when the 3 fathers are Sam (Pierce Bronson), Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) and Harry (Colin Firth).  The three men are back again and breathe new life to this charming take on their younger selves along with the Donna's besties, Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Waters).  MAMA MIA HERE WE GO AGAIN ('18) the prequel learned a few lessons from the original.  For one, Bronson doesn't sing as he painfully & pathetically . did in the original. Still, the baby didn't get thrown out with the bath water (a silly saying).  ...HERE WE GO AGAIN provides its A list cast a much more enticing script.  Young Sophie is portrayed by Lily James who would easily be America's sweetheart except she's a British actress. James was enchanting in "Cinderella" & "Baby Driver" as well as in her role in "Downton Abbey".   HERE WE GO opens on graduation day (1979) for Sophie, Tanya & Rosie with Sophie called to stage to give a speech which morphs into the 1st dancing disco trio and then into a flash mob.  This sets the tone for the high spirited film where things in life happen unexpectedly, happen a little more predictably here and with clever choreography, a 70s musical score all set on a beautiful and quaint Greek Island.  Sophie's 2nd musical number is "Waterloo" which wins Harry his first sexual experience.  "Waterloo" is trop; over the top.  If you're not won over by now it's time to turn your ship around; the rest of the film is not for you.  But, I couldn't resist (even if I wanted to) and I went along for the adventure.  The 3 actors playing Sam, Bill & Harry when they were all young, attractive and attracted by Sophie's magnetism and je ne se quoi.  The film is directed by Ol Parker (b UK 1969).  Parker is at ease directing British acting royalty ("The Best Exotic Marigold") and he's wise enough to give them plenty of rein.  Streep has a minimal, ephemeral part (for her there are no small parts).  Interestingly, it's the only movie sequel she's done.  Cher came to the party as the uninvited grandma guest.  I'd have cut the "Fernando" number with her & Andy Garcia.  The film may have been pandering to its audience.  This guilty pleasure doesn't require took much thinking.  "Just like that thinking too much can get you unhappy."  I found the film to be frivolous fun even with its abundance of horseshit.