Mamma Mia! Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Mamma Mia! Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 15, 2018

Universal has re-released 2008's ABBA-inspired hit Musical 'Mamma Mia!' to Blu-ray in celebration of the film's 10-year anniversary. This new two-disc set includes a brand-new bonus features DVD disc. Unfortunately, no changes have been made to the Blu-ray, which is a straight port of the disc released in December 2008; only disc artwork is different. There is also a UHD release for 4K/HDR-capable fans to consider that does offer new picture and upgraded sound.

Mamma Mia! began life as a stage production built around ABBA’s infectiously Pop-y beats that were, and remain, amongst the greatest landmarks in the classic Dance music arena. The production translates very well to film, allowing it open up, significantly at times, and revel in its gorgeous Greek locations and expand the vitality and performance of its music, complimenting the story of a young girl in search of her father on the eve of her wedding. In the film, the actors sing the songs, and that they don’t sing the songs perfectly, or dance with precision, ranks as the movie’s biggest charm. Pierce Brosnan singing “SOS” is quite the silly sight (but not much of a sound), but it works. The performance is a bit flat and a little gruff, but it comes from the heart, it’s silly, and Donna’s reaction as he bursts into song -- kind of a “what’s going on here?” -- is priceless. It’s clear the cast worked hard on the songs, but it’s the imperfections that give the movie heart and actually put the emphasis on the music, which of course is the real driving narrative force in the film. Anyone can go buy a studio album if they just want to hear the songs perfectly performed and regurgitated for the zillionth time, but this is something else entirely, and something entirely special, a perfect melding of sight and sound, song and soul that makes for one of the most infectiously fun Musical movies of the past several decades.

For another take on the film, please see the review of the 2008 Blu-ray release here.

Mamma Mia! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This release of Mamma Mia! contains the same video presentation from the 2008 disc. For a full review, please click here.

Mamma Mia! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This release of Mamma Mia! contains the same audio presentation from the 2008 disc. For a full review, please click here.

Mamma Mia! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The entirety of disc one is identical to the 2008 release, including features that are today considered somewhat quaint like U-Control and a User Guide. Considering that the second disc of bonuses is not even a Blu-ray but rather a DVD, there's not a lot of incentive to upgrade to this version of Mamma Mia!. Below is a breakdown of what's included. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase.

Disc One:

• Sing-Along (1080p, various runtimes): The song scenes from the movie with the option to have the lyrics appear on the screen. Included are I Have a Dream; Honey, Honey; Money, Money, Money; Mamma Mia; Chiquitita; Dancing Queen; Our Last Summer; Lay All Your Love on Me; Super Trouper; Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!; Voulez-Vous; SOS; Does Your Mother Know; Slipping Through My Fingers; The Winner Takes It All; I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do; When All Is Said and Done; Take a Chance on Me; Mamma Mia (Reprise); I Have a Dream (Reprise); and Dancing Queen Reprise/Waterloo Encore. This feature can also be enabled from the main menu to play through the entire movie.
• Deleted Scenes (480i, 8:06): Several scenes lumped together with no identifying markers.
• Outtakes (480i, 1:33): Humorous moments and gaffs from the shoot.
• Deleted Musical Number: "The Name of the Game" (1080p, 3:02).
• The Making of Mamma Mia! (1080i): A three-part feature.
  
  
  • Birthing Mamma Mia! (4:42): A discussion of the project's genesis, why ABBA's music translates to the stage and screen, bringing the stage production to the screen, the female creative talent and what they brought to the film, and more.
  • The Filmmaking (1080i, 9:09): A discussion of Phyllida Lloyd's direction, qualities as a first-time director, and her experiences in making the movie. It also covers preparing the cast to sing the songs, dance to the beats, and shooting locations.
  • The Cast (1080i, 10:14): As the title suggests, this extra takes a closer look at the film's primary cast and the qualities they brought to the film.
• Anatomy of a Musical Number: "Lay All Your Love on Me" (1080i, 5:42): An examination of Dominic Cooper's performance of the song and sharing and making a scene with Amanda Seyfried.
• Becoming a Singer (1080i, 10:55): ABBA band members work with the cast to recreate the songs, and the actors discuss the challenges, and joys, of singing in the film.
• A Look Inside Mamma Mia! (1080i, 2:40): A quick discussion of ABBA's music, the stage production, and the movie.
• Music Video (480i, 3:49): Amanda Seyfried performs "Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!"
• Björn Ulvaeus Cameo (480i, 1:35): The ABBA band member appears during "Waterloo."
• Audio Commentary: Director Phyllida Lloyd discusses the film. There's not a substantial amount of new material in the track if one has already burned through all the previously listed extras, but this is a good one-stop shop for insight into the film.

Disc Two DVD New Special Features:

• A Talented Trio: The Creators of Mamma Mia! (480i, 9:30): Judy Craymer, Catherine Johnson, and Phyllida Lloyd discuss the process of folding the ABBA songs into the story narrative, Lloyd's direction, and the qualities each brought to the film.
• Christine Baranski and the Boys (480i, 6:17): A closer look at a scene in which Baranski performs "Does Your Mother Know."
• Breaking Down "Voulez-Vous" (480i, 5:14): A look behind-the-scenes of making the scene featuring "Voulez-Vous."
• More of "Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!" (480i, 5:15): Like the previous piece, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the song's place in the film, making the scene, and its thematic purpose.
• Meryl's Big Number (480i, 3:59): A discussion of the movie's title song in the film and Streep's performance thereof.
• VH1 10 Most Excellent Things: Mamma Mia! (480i, 21:17): A catchall behind-the-scenes look at the movie.
• Behind the Scenes with Amanda (480i, 4:12): A short video that follows the lead actress around the movie's sets.
• On Location in Greece (480i, 4:04): A quick look at scouting Greece for shooting locations and the benefits of filming on location.
• Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Even More (480i): A seven-part feature.
  
  
  • From Play to Movie (1:24): The filmmakers and cast discuss the story's themes and the movie's earthy texture.
  • Getting to Know Amanda Seyfried (2:52): Casting Seyfried and a discussion of the qualities she brought to the film's lead role.
  • Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia! (3:38): Cast and crew heap praises on the legendary actress and discuss the qualities she brought to the film.
  • Meryl Streep Discusses Her Song "Mamma Mia" (2:07): A look at Streep climbing and singing. This was seen in one of the previous supplements, Meryl's Big Number.
  • Shooting "Dancing Queen" (3:42): Making one of the film's key sequences with what is arguably ABBA's most popular song.
  • Singing Live (1:13): A short discussion of why the actors performed live during the shoot and what positives that brought to the film.
  • A Look at "Super Trouper" (3:58): Making the scene with this song.

Mamma Mia! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mamma Mia! really is a blast of a movie. It's difficult to watch without a smile. The story is nothing new, but accentuated by the contagiously fun ABBA beats it's suddenly a very unique and endlessly enjoyable ride through love, romantic locations, self-discovery, and fabulous music. Universal's Blu-ray reissue sadly doesn't do anything to spruce up the movie's A/V presentation, but it does carry over all of the older disc's supplements and adds a new DVD with numerous additional extras. It's not worth what is mostly a lateral move for owners of the previous disc, but newcomers (and those who are not 4K capable) would be wise to choose this version for new extras and a fresh digital code.