Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again kept its bright tradition of a bittersweet, bright sequel and prequel mashup going, combining sun-kissed landscapes, pop ABBA hits, and warm storytelling. Five years later than the original, it picks up with Sophie on a mission to restore her mother’s hotel while navigating family and motherhood. At the same time, we are brought back to Donna’s early exploits in the ’70s—her travels, loves, and finding the Greek island where she would make her home.

Lily James steals the show as young Donna, bringing the movie to life with vitality and passion. Amanda Seyfried returns as Sophie, more grounded and reflective now, and Meryl Streep’s cameo as Donna adds a heart-wrenching emotional depth. Cher makes a dramatic cameo appearance towards the end of the movie as Ruby, the glamorous grandmother of Sophie, and Andy Garcia as a suave hotel manager with a romantic spin of his own.

The film sews together great ABBA hits both well-known and lesser-known. It explodes into life with “When I Kissed the Teacher,” froths with giggles in “Waterloo” and “Why Did It Have to Be Me?”, and reaches emotional heights in “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “My Love, My Life,” and “I’ve Been Waiting for You.” “Dancing Queen” and “Super Trouper” provide full-cast worth and musical value, and Cher’s “Fernando” is pure diva spectacle.

While the timeline falters and the plot sometimes depends on sentiment rather than depth, the soul of this film is undeniable. It’s a joyful, tearful celebration of love, family, and doing your own thing—tied together with music that’s as unavoidable as the Greek island sun. It won’t convert, maybe, but loyal fans will be singing their way home.