Stockwell review: Drive-in’s pair of musicals pure summer cool

On June 17 in 1885, the great French sculptor Edouard de Laboulaye had his most famous work delivered to the United States as a gift. It stands proudly in New York harbor as a symbol of freedom for all those arriving at the great American melting pot. Laboulaye referred to it as “his lady” – most of us call her “The Statue of Liberty.”

Legend tells of a grand ship bringing the beloved piece to our country. Apparently, that was the only way it could arrive, because originally it was supposed to be shipped by Amazon, but there was a small accident with two of their vehicles also carrying French cheese. There was da’brie everywhere.

Nothing like a cheesy joke to begin our column for this week.

Speaking of driving, please remember to turn your head away when you are stopped at a stoplight. It is out of courtesy, because the light might be changing.

What better way to tie an American icon to driving a vehicle than to discuss one of the coolest ways to enjoy a film and your mode of transportation by talking about a drive-in and the movie choices opening Friday, June 18.

The McHenry Outdoor Theater’s two film offerings kicking off this weekend have a lot in common. So let’s roll up the bobby socks and rock around the clock with a great musical double feature.

“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018)

Beginning in 1979, a very young Donna Sheridan graduates from college without her mother, Ruby, attending the ceremony. Upon leaving for Greece, she crosses paths with several suitors on her trip. She dreams of setting up a hotel on the island of Kalokairi, and, through a series of events, ends up not only expecting, but at a farmhouse that eventually would turn out to be the hotel of her dreams.

Jumping back to the present, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is trying to balance the loss of her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), as well as her friction-filled marriage and the reopening of the hotel. Seeing as how Sophie is not entirely sure who her father is, she has the support of three men who were involved with her mother. Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) all want to help their “daughter,” but are pulled in various directions because of their own careers.

In the mix are Ruby (Cher), Sophie’s grandmother, and Señor Fernando Cienfuegos (Andy Garcia), whom Donna helped at one point, but could possibly be her father (he knew Ruby), and therefore Sophie’s grandfather. All in all, it is a family affair that will have you singing and dancing throughout the 114-minute run time.

It is a sequel to the 2008 film “Mamma Mia!” – and many of the original cast members return for a second go-around. The movie is filled with fun music and good comedy. The acting is lights-out fantastic (I mean, look at the cast), and it will make you want to get up and dance. The film does jump back and forth between different time frames, and it might take a little bit more concentration to make sure you know who is who, but the film flows as wonderfully as the soundtrack.

A fun film for just about everyone, though the PG-13 rating is pretty accurate. The themes are a little more adult, and the suggestions are more than obvious, but overall a great way to enjoy a summer evening.

“Grease” (1978)

It is California in 1958, and leader of the T-Birds Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) both spend the summer at the beach. When they end up at the same high school for their senior year, the opposites that they are come into focus. Trying to keep his image and the girl of his dreams, Danny must see if he can grow up and change. Sandy also must do the same if she is to get the man she fell in love with.

First off, this is the ultimate musical for anyone born in the 1960s or ’70s (or ’80s, ’90s and beyond). The musical numbers are awesome, and the dancing is spectacular. It was a musical in 1971, and when the two stars joined forces, it was the highest-grossing film ever at the time of its release (yes, surpassing “Jaws” in 1975 and “Star Wars” in 1977).

Travolta is beyond “cool,” with all due respect to “The Big Lebowski,” he is unquestionably “the dude.” The man can sing, dance, act and drive a car. He was Vin Diesel before Vin Diesel, Zac Efron before Zac Efron, and Hugh Jackman before Hugh Jackman. He thoroughly embodies Danny Zuko, and when he croons out “Greased Lightnin,’” well, ask your mother about that.

Olivia Newton-John is equally outstanding, and even today remains the comparison point to female leads in every film. Not only can she sing and dance, too, but her acting is top-of-the-line, and when she shows up at the end, well, that is a question for your dad.

OK, the PG rating is a bit debatable because the situations and lyrics certainly will make you react like the great Eve Arden at the “Dance-Off,” but overall, it is a fun, fun film. Frankie Avalon makes an appearance, and Sid Caesar may have the greatest supporting role of all time as Coach Calhoun (how in the world did he not win the Oscar?). The 110-minute film is worth every second, and if you don’t download the soundtrack after viewing the film, it is because you already have it. Never before has the musical observation been more accurate – “Grease is the word.”

So what are you waiting for? Head to the McHenry drive-in this weekend and bring your dancing shoes. But make sure you drive a car, because if you take a motorcycle, you’ll be two-tired to dance.

Until next week – happy viewing!

• Jim Stockwell is a tenured instructor of film and broadcast journalism at McHenry County College, teaching Introduction to Film, Advanced Film and Introduction to Public Speaking.