The Super Mario Bros. Movie Review
| Director | Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic |
|---|---|
| Cast | Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Charlie Day, Anna Taylor-Joy, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen |
| Genre |
Mario and Sonic share numerous similarities as they serve as the mascots for their respective companies. They both belong to the same platforming genre and have enjoyed enormous success since their creations, with their video games and merchandise flying off the shelves. Additionally, their long-standing rivalry has been well-documented over the years. In recent developments, both characters can now also boast about their successful ventures into the world of films. Sonic has already had a couple of well received film adaptations released between 2020 and 2022, and now Mario has a reason to be proud with the release of a more faithful film compared to the disappointing 1993 live-action adaptation that starred Bob Hoskins as Mario.
Unlike the Bob Hoskins version, The Super Mario Bros. Movie embraces a fully animated format, brought to life by the talented team at Illumination, well-known for their entertaining Despicable Me series. The film’s visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, with its bright and vivid colours leaping off the screen. The characters are brought to life with plenty of expressiveness, adding a delightful cartoon charm to the film that is present from start to finish. It’s a true visual spectacle, and I’m so happy with the look that they went with.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie was always destined to have a more elaborate plot than your typical Mario game. As an origin story, the narrative grants us the opportunity to witness Mario and Luigi’s encounters with their familiar allies and their nemesis, Bowser for the first time. The film starts with the brothers establishing a plumbing business in Brooklyn, but their lives take an unexpected turn when they find themselves sucked into a warp pipe. Mario finds himself in Princess Peach’s Mushroom Kingdom, while Luigi ends up in Bowser’s Dark Lands. Although the dialogue is amusing, the plot doesn’t delve much deeper than what’s described here. Nonetheless, with a runtime of an hour and a half, coupled with its stunning visuals, familiar characters (Toad and Donkey Kong amongst them), and amusing humour, the thin plot still manages to do the job, and is a tad more interesting than what is often presented in many of the games.
Sadly, Charles Martinet, the original voice behind Mario and Luigi, has been replaced in the film by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day, respectively. However, both actors deliver more than satisfactory performances in their roles. Martinet was given the opportunity to voice some other characters however, and he does an excellent job as Mario and Luigi’s father as well as the Mario-like Giuseppe. Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Peach is also commendable, although some may have reservations about the script presenting her as a stronger character, departing from her traditional role of being Mario’s damsel in distress. Yet, the true standout in the film is undeniably Jack Black as Bowser. He flawlessly brings out the character’s menacing yet humorous traits, and even treats you to some musical pieces that need to be heard to be believed.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is filled with memorable scenes that pay homage to iconic elements of the Mario franchise. Mario’s signature jumping isn’t overlooked, as there are plenty of moments that showcase him leaping through various scenes. The inclusion of famous power-ups from the games is also a welcome touch. Moreover, the film also references Mario Kart during specific scenes, tapping into another beloved gaming spin-off of the Mario series. What makes the film even more delightful is the abundance of Easter Eggs scattered throughout. These not only celebrate the Mario series but also extend to references from Nintendo’s other games, adding a delightful layer of fan service to the film. It’s truly a wonderful celebration of all things Nintendo and a treat for fans of the franchise as well.
Additional fan service in The Super Mario Bros. Movie is showcased through the inclusion of numerous sound effects and famous musical pieces from the games, which undoubtedly makes it feel like a Mario film. However, I was less enthusiastic about the use of pop music in the film. It just feels completely out of place and unnecessary for a Mario film. Inserting such music feels like they are attempting to cater to a broader audience rather than staying true to the essence of the Mario franchise.
In summary, The Super Mario Bros. Movie may not be the ideal choice for those seeking a complex plot. While it does have slightly more depth compared to many of the games, the storyline remains relatively simple. However, where the film truly shines is in delivering a fun, entertaining, and visually stunning experience. Despite occasional and unwanted instances of pop music and some deviations from the original character of Peach, the movie still manages to capture the essence of a Mario film through its visual style, overall feel, and nostalgic sound effects. The inclusion of numerous Easter Eggs is unsurprising, but they are welcome as excellent fan service all the same. Looking forward, the potential for a sequel holds promise if the creators can expand the story while retaining the elements that worked well in this film. Overall, The Super Mario Bros. Movie stands as a genuinely good Mario film though, brimming with vibrant colours, energetic moments, and humorous gags.
