Sorry, this movie sucks

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

From the makers of the StreetDance movies, I found out later that the film was set to a soundtrack of popular 1980s songs, I was hoping for something worthwhile. Basically it opens with Taylor (Hannah Arterton, Gemma's sister) and her boyfriend Raf (Giulio Berruti) by the sea, Raf wants to stay in Italy with Taylor, but she wants to go to university. Three years later, Taylor goes on holiday to Puglia ("Holiday" - Madonna), her sister Maddie (Annabel Scholey), who went there following the break-up from her boyfriend Doug (Greg Wise), is there with their friend Lil (Katy Brand). Taylor is shocked when Maddie tells her she is getting married in two days, Taylor tells Lil that she does want to rekindle the relationship she had three years ago. Taylor goes down to the and reunites with her friend Elena (The X Factor winner Leona Lewis) and her boyfriend Enrico (Giulio Corso), as well as her friend Mikey (Danny Kirrane). Then she spots Raf, and follows him ("How Will I Know?" - Whitney Houston), before falling right in front of him, he is about to greet her, when Maddie interrupts and kisses him, revealing that Raf is Maddie's fiancé. Taylor pretends that she has never met Raf or the others, but Elena thinks she should tell Maddie the truth, Taylor says she would prefer to keep it secret and not worry Maddie. Later that night, the group go to dinner, Raf makes a speech about Maddie, Taylor tries to disguise her tears, then Maddie makes a speech ("The Power of Love" - Huey Lewis and the News). Taylor goes outside, Raf follows her, they say their relationship is "weird", Raf wants to tell Maddie about their relationship three years ago, but Taylor refuses, to protect Maddie and to not be made to feel like a fool. The next day, Maddie sends Raf and Taylor to sort out their clothes and the rings, Raf and Taylor argue about the past, they refer to their feelings; Elena, Mikey and Enrico overhear them, it is hinted the pair still have feelings for each other. Meanwhile, Doug turns up and surprises Maddie, he tells her he made a mistake breaking up with and wants her back, she declines, but he tries to persuade her ("Don't You Want Me" - The Human League). Maddie agrees to have dinner with Doug as a "final farewell", Elena and Enrico are discussing Taylor's secret by the pool, as Maddie walks in, she finds out Elena has a secret, Elena panics and tells her she is pregnant. Raf and Taylor return from wedding preparations, Taylor finds out about Doug and Maddie's dinner, an argument ensues, the others break up the argument, taking Taylor to the tomato festival ("Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves), while Maddie is pampered for her hen night. After the festival, Raf and Taylor spend time by the sea ("Eternal Flame" - The Bangles), they almost kiss, but Taylor runs away, thinking of Maddie, Raf chases after her and demands to know if she has any feelings for him and to discuss what happened between them on beach. Maddie walks in and her hen party guests led by Elena and Lil surprise Raf and Taylor are arguing, Taylor is forced to reveal that Raf was her old love from her past Puglia holiday, but she lies and says she has no feelings for him, upset Raf says the same. After Lil kicks Raf out, the girls go out on the hen night, dressed up ("Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper); the boys do the same ("The Wild Boys" - Duran Duran). Taylor leaves the party, contemplating her true feelings for Raf ("It Must Have Been Love" - Roxette), he sings along in another part of Puglia on his stag do, Taylor realises she still loves him, and decides to leave to avoid destroying Maddie and Raf's relationship. While Taylor leaves for the airport, Doug is back waiting for Maddie, she realises he is still trying to woo her again, she plays out that they are going to have sex ("Faith" - George Michael), but she pushes him in the swimming pool, after which he reappears holding engagement ring, which confuses Maddie. The next morning, Lil finds Taylor at the airport, she says she needs to let go of Raf, her relationship with her sister is more important, Taylor agrees, and they go to the wedding. Lil and Taylor are late, Maddie also wakes up late, she hugs a picture of Raf, he meanwhile has been duct taped to a tree next to a nunnery, but everyone congregates at the church ("White Wedding" - Billy Joel), Maddie and Taylor reconcile before heading inside. At the altar, Doug stands objecting to Raf and Maddie's marriage, but Maddie tells him to sit down, Maddie then realises he is not truly in love with her, she says he deserves better, Raf leaves, but Taylor pursues him to apologize ("If I Could Turn Back Time" - Cher), at first is does not work, but Raf eventually joins Taylor on the rooftop, Taylor tells him she loves him, and they kiss. Later on the beach, Elena admits she actually is pregnant, Enrico is overjoyed, Lil hints to Mikey she has feelings for him, Taylor and Maddie reconcile, Doug interrupts them, Lil and Taylor strap him into a hang glider, he screams as he flown up, the entire cast perform together ("Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" - Wham!) and the film ends. The cast are all fine, the songs chosen for the scenes do work well, and I admit I couldn't help but sing along, it obviously wanted to cash in with the same success as Mamma Mia!, it is a predictable, cheesy and not always funny, but it is charming and feel-good enough to go along with, a reasonably fun musical romantic comedy. Worth watching!

Walking on Sunshine was Mamma Mia! the Movie without the good actors, good music and good script. In fact, it only reminded me of Mamma Mia! the Movie because there was sun, surf, sand, and plenty of skin shown. (And in case you're interested, one of the differences was that this film had the "occasional" tomato too......) The cheese is so plentiful in this film it's literally dripping off the disc. In addition, it has stereotypical characters, clichés and *yawn* predictability, not to mention that the deepest part of the film is the sea (which, by the way, looks like it belongs in a Hannah Montana movie). There's a feel-good soundtrack and dancing that never quite gets on point, and – unfortunately – is heavy and weighed-down; failing the movie when it's supposed to give a light-hearted, frothy feeling. One more thing. The beach dudes in this film all look like they're gay. Seriously, I kid you not. When you watch this movie – and I don't recommend that - just take a look at their dancing, their clothes, and when they emerge in slow-motion from the waves. It's disturbing. ONE more thing. I love musicals, and I love singing. So I wasn't prepared to hate this film. BUT...if you want to watch a feel-good musical, watch Mamma Mia! the Movie; the cast make it worthwhile. And if you're looking for depth, watch The Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables.

I guess most people have not even heard of this musical movie. It is similar to Mama Mia without the big stars, and with pop 80's song instead of just ABBA. People from my age group will recognize all the songs. The interesting thing is this movie has a character similar to Pierce Brosnan in Mama Mia. Can you recall his singing talent? I found it fun to guess and recognize all the songs. However, the dance choreography is quite standard without much wow effect. The acting of some makes you feel like watching high school musical. Overall, I enjoyed watching it but not too many repeat in the future, which is rare for a musical movie.

Very few films aspire to the heights (or, more accurately, depths) of chirpy cheesiness achieved by Mamma Mia!: a cinematic guilty pleasure if ever there was one. Walking On Sunshine is that rare film which does. In fact, it's dancing merrily into theatres, so intent on recreating the unexpected blockbuster success of Mamma Mia! that it's forgotten to tweak the formula even a little bit. And so, we go from the sun-washed beaches of Greece to the sun-washed beaches of Italy, from cheesy but super-catchy ABBA tunes to cheesy but super-catchy 80s pop hits, from an awkward love affair to... an awkward love affair. Do you see where we're going here? The unfortunate thing is that Walking On Sunshine never quite hits on that elusive magic which allowed Mamma Mia! to be so bad and so darn good at the same time.Here's how the story (what little there is of it) goes: Taylor (Hannah Arterton) meets and falls in love with gorgeous Italian hunk Raf (Giulio Berruti) on a sun-kissed beach in Italy. But the summer is drawing to an end, and she has to be responsible and go back to school. Three years later, when she finally graduates, Taylor returns to the same Italian village to meet her headstrong, impulsive sister Maddie (Annabel Scholey) - whereupon she learns that Maddie, on the rebound from her horrible ex Doug (Greg Wise), is due to get married in a matter of days. The twist in the tale, of course, is that Maddie is planning to marry Raf - the love of Taylor's life.In other words, the plot, such as it is, is flimsy and contrived. The narrative staggers predictably from song to song, whether it's Taylor and Raf realising they still have feelings for each other (It Must Have Been Love), or Doug and Maddie crooning about their toxic relationship (Don't You Want Me). The characters seem to function on the basis of narrative expediency: Doug, for instance, waltzes in and out of the film, teetering dangerously between unforgivable jerk and viable love interest. Truth be told, if you're looking for depth or complexity, look away now. The film seems to operate on the blithe assumption that yet another karaoke-friendly song will sweep away the awkward writing that preceded it.The film also falters somewhat where its cast is concerned. All of them are earnest to a fault, belting their numbers with more passion than skill. They certainly work incredibly hard at playing characters with little more complexity than a batch of paper dolls: Arterton is the textbook lovelorn but responsible girl, torn between her head and her heart, while Scholey sizzles efficiently as the bubbly Maddie. But they never really manage to give off the sheer, unmitigated joy that practically radiated from the A-list cast populating the Greek islands in Mamma Mia!. Of the supporting cast, comedienne Katy Brand wins most charismatic honours as the sisters' best friend Lil - not something that can be said of X-Factor winner Leona Lewis, who should really stick to her day job.To be fair, Walking On Sunshine does have its merits. If you're in the right mood for it, it's a silly, summery burst of fun - not quite as funny and sweet as you might want, but good enough in a pinch. Its soundtrack is great, jumping from Madonna (Holiday) to George Michael (Faith), before taking a delightful detour into tomato-strewn mayhem in the huge musical number that accompanies the title song. There are even a couple of unexpectedly rich character moments that come courtesy of the two sisters: Taylor's bravery in returning for Maddie's wedding is a surprisingly emotional moment and one of the high points of the film.Of course, when it comes down to it, no amount of critical analysis will matter anyway. Walking On Sunshine is, quite simply, the kind of film that's largely critic-proof. It may not even be as good as Mamma Mia!, and its story and characters are almost wilfully poorly-constructed. But it won't matter because the film is also relentlessly fun, silly, sunny, and cheesy. Berruti is gorgeous to look at, as are the sun-kissed beaches of Italy. The songs are catchy, summery and joyous. That certainly doesn't add up to 'great' but, if you're open to it, it just might add up to 'good enough'.