Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again

On the surface, the sugary love songs of Swedish pop group ABBA could hardly be considered fodder for classic rock opera. Still, the Mamma Mia films manage to carve a niche, however, frothy and forgettable it might be.

Based on its title, the musical sequel Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again pretty much admits it’s not bringing anything new to the party, the cinematic version of a B-side. You know what you’re getting, for better or worse.

Fans of the 2008 original — guilty pleasure or otherwise — likely won’t mind. This follow-up knows its target audience, who are more likely to be amused by the meet-cute storytelling, cheesy choreography, and relentlessly life-affirming platitudes.

We’re given two parallel storylines. The first is set five years after the events of the first film, focusing on Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her stepfather (Pierce Brosnan) as they try to rebuild their lives after a tragedy by throwing a party for old friends at a Greek island resort.

Then there are the abundant coming-of-age flashbacks involving the romantic misadventures of Sophie’s mother, Donna (Lily James) — who was played by Meryl Streep in the first film. It covers some of the same territory with regard to her many suitors, except here everybody is younger.

The breezy musical numbers again are the toe-tapping highlight, at least capturing the spirit of ABBA’s music while emphasizing spectacle over substance. Just try not to smile when the entire cast struts along the beach through “Dancing Queen.”

Indeed, there’s not much subtlety or surprise in the screenplay by director Ol Parker (Imagine Me and You), who seizes the opportunity to reunite a top-notch cast — with a few prominent newcomers thrown into the mix — and to supplement the pretty faces with some lovely exotic scenery. Among those showing off their vocal chops are Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Andy Garcia, and a scene-stealing Cher as Sophie’s diva grandmother.

The irresistibly upbeat film doesn’t care much about character depth or narrative integrity, but it’s best to leave your cynicism and logical scrutiny at the door. Functioning as a showcase for the enduring appeal of ABBA’s sound, their devotees will eagerly say, “I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.”

Rated PG-13, 114 minutes.