How do you even breakdown the “Super Trouper” scene that is a spectacle of pure joy? How do you find words to describe the fact that it’s one of the few scenes that no matter your mood, it’s always going to force you to get up out of your seat and dance and sing until you’re out of breath? I often avoid writing about this scene because if I do then it’s over, but what if we just come back to every so often in order to collectively scream about what a marvel it is? Let’s do that.
If you’d told me going into this movie that a few years later I’d deem it better than the original solely because of how much joy it brings me, I would’ve laughed in your face. But it’s true—it’s too good, too pure, and too infectious. And that’s sort of the thing with musicals where cast members become friends and are passionate about what they’re putting out for viewers. The performances enhance and strengthen the story. You could feel the infectious joy they all undoubtedly experienced in recording the scene. You could feel the closeness. And you feel like you’re part of the celebration, which is how it becomes something otherworldly almost because you’re able to connect to the people sitting in the theater with you watching as everyone’s heads bop back and forth.
And even now as we all reminisce from wherever we are, I dare you to tell me you’re not transported to either the first time or some other excellent memory you have tied to this.
Mamma Mia: Here We Go again is a riveting treasure that takes us on a journey to get to know Donna Sheridan even further and thus, most of the numbers in this film are exquisite. But with the “Super Trouper” performance especially because it’s not really part of the story, rather part of the grand display of film making and something that you know is done purely for the sake of joy, it makes it that much more riveting. They didn’t need this scene for the story, but I’m grateful they gave it to us anyway because it ties everything together jubilantly.
Watching every young actor and actress with their older foils is just downright perfection. Seeing both younger and older versions of Donna and the Dynamos perform feels like a ridiculously joyous warm hug. It’s all masterful, including an apprehensive older Harry played by the legendary Colin Firth near the boisterous Hugh Skinner’s version. Christine Baranski and Jessica Keenan Wynn along with Julie Walters and Alexa Davies are so acutely in sync in their mannerisms it is wondrous. Do I even have to put words to Lily James and Meryl Streeps’ perfection? No, no I do not.
The costumes, the lighting, and again, the pure joy. Excuse me while my heart does one more somersault from excitement for the millionth time. Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried’s Sky and Sophie making their grand appearance from the balcony because they’re the it couple in this franchise? We love to see it–along with their purple attire because that showcases them as the royalty that they are.
Facing 20,000 of your friends, how can anyone be so lonely? Because even while stars like Cher and Meryl Streep have solos, they’re still contributing to the magic in “Super Trouper,” and I’m emotionally wrecked thinking of how pure and whole this number is.
Where there’s song and dance and collective laugher, it’s always representive of unity, and the detail that a scene like this is going to leave a lasting impression on people where good memories will likely be attached to. It’s also representative of the fact that when a cast and crew enjoys what they’re doing, when they put in the effort to create something magical, audiences will feel it and respond to it positively.