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‘the super mario bros. movie’ review: zippy animated version breathes new life into beloved video game.
Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key and Seth Rogen are among stars providing the voices for this new screen adaptation of the iconic Nintendo franchise.
By Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
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After an amusing slapstick episode involving a routine plumbing job turned into a catastrophe by an aggressive pooch, the brothers take it upon themselves to attempt to fix a broken water main underneath the Brooklyn streets. When Luigi falls down a mysterious pipe and disappears, Mario dives in after him and finds himself in the magical Mushroom Kingdom. With the aid of the upbeat Toad (Keegan Michael-Key), the first resident he encounters, Mario embarks on a mission to rescue his brother from the clutches of the evil Bowser ( Jack Black ), the ferocious turtle leader of the Koopas, who is intent on conquering the Mushroom Kingdom.
The film features one jam-packed sequence after another, one highlight being Mario’s titanic battle with Donkey Kong ( Seth Rogen , sounding exactly like himself but still hilarious), in which his determination and resourcefulness become fully apparent. The fast-paced action effectively approximates the gaming experience; Brian Tyler’s equally frenetic soundtrack cleverly riffs on the game’s musical themes by composer Koji Kando, providing suitable accompaniment.
The plot is as basic as can be, and character development is clearly not a priority. Considering Day’s terrific voice work as Luigi, it seems a shame that the character disappears for such long stretches. But directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, creators of the Teen Titans Go! series, deliver a reasonably faithful big screen adaptation that, while it features plenty of juvenile humor, wisely doesn’t lean toward broad satire.
Fans will be delighted by the many Easter eggs liberally scattered throughout the proceedings — I’m sure I missed the vast majority of them, but there were plenty of appreciative laughs and cheers at the press screening — including the vocal cameos by original Mario voice performer Martinet and other game veterans.
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie First Reviews: Packed with Nostalgia and Easter Eggs, but Mostly Aimed at Kids
Critics say the movie has lots of fun details for observant fans of the franchise, but the thinly plotted story may leave some viewers wanting more..
TAGGED AS: Animation , First Reviews , movies , Video Games
Here’s what critics are saying about The Super Mario Bros. Movie :
Does it live up to expectations?
Purposefully focusing on a simple and beautiful adventure, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a solid success. – Brandon Zachary, CBR
For better and worse, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is exactly what you’d expect from a Mario movie made by Illumination Entertainment. – Reuben Baron, Looper.com
For some people, perhaps, it will be a point in the win column that “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is exactly what it looks like, and nothing more. – Josh Spiegel, Slashfilm
Does it honor the games?
The fast-paced action effectively approximates the gaming experience. – Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be inside a Super Mario Bros. level, this film gets deliciously close. – Lex Briscuso, The Wrap
The movie doesn’t so much duplicate the logistics of a Mario game as conjure the spirit of the game. – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
It’s the ultimate in comforting familiarity. – Jake Wilson, The Sydney Morning Herald
The only difference from the Nintendo games is that viewers don’t have to replay a section 45 times because they keep getting nicked by a rogue Koopa shell. – Matthew Huff, AV Club
It leaves one feeling like they’re standing to the side and watching someone else play a video game. – Zaki Hasan, San Francisco Chronicle
(Photo by ©Universal Pictures)
Is it packed with Easter eggs?
Perhaps the film’s greatest asset is its clever reliance on the treasure trove of IP that Nintendo has to offer. – Matthew Huff, AV Club
This movie has a lot of fan service… This is not a bad thing; in fact, it is quite the opposite. Whenever it was possible to sneak something in, they did it. – Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
The quantity of in-jokes and Easter eggs is high enough that fans of the games will likely enjoy themselves while watching it… The fan service really works. – Reuben Baron, Looper.com
There is some super fun stuff thrown into the background, even if it adds literally zero to the story itself. – Germain Lussier, io9.com
I found myself craving A LOT more video game humor than I was given (there were SO many missed opportunities for Nintendo jokes). – Christie Cronan, Raising Whasians
Far too often, The Super Mario Bros. Movie feels like it’s simply content to check off to-do notes and scratch the viewer’s nostalgia itch. That is, the film is a series of Easter eggs in search of a story. – Paul Attard, Slant Magazine
Does it help to be a fan of the games?
You don’t have to be a Mario fan to respond to it, but the film is going to remind the millions who are why they call it a joystick. – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
While the references are sure to charm Nintendo lovers, and the standard Illumination-style cartoon humor will please youngsters, the film otherwise doesn’t have a ton to offer. – Matthew Huff, AV Club
Even Super Mario superfans might prefer the game. – Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
Is it mostly for kids?
From its very first scenes, it’s clear The Super Mario Bros. Movie is made for children. – Germain Lussier, io9.com
For certain demographics (i.e. families lamenting the fact that it’s been months since a major kids movie hit theaters), this is going to be an absolute godsend. – Christian Zilko, IndieWire
The Super Mario Bros Movie is very much a kids’ movie that adults will have fun with. – Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
It’s one of the best kids’ films in recent years. – Ross Bonaime, Collider
If you’re a parent, you’re probably already going to see The Super Mario Bros. Movie regardless of what critics say, and you’ll probably have enough fun with it not to feel disappointed. – Reuben Baron, Looper.com
Kids will have a blast, especially with its nods to popular games, such as Luigi’s Mansion and Mario Kart . However, its childish sense of humor and lacking narrative fall short. – Jeff Nelson, Showbiz Cheat Sheet
But is it still entertaining?
The film features one jam-packed sequence after another, one highlight being Mario’s titanic battle with Donkey Kong. – Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
It’s is a serious blast, with a spark of enchantment — that je ne sais quoi fusion of speed and trickery, magic and sophistication, and sheer play that… well, you feel it when you see it. – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
Even if it’s not your thing, everyone should find a way to coexist with this franchise very quickly. – Christian Zilko, IndieWire
How does it look?
This is a gorgeous movie. The 3D animation works extremely well. It is bright, vibrant, and colorful. – Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
The film looks gorgeous… The attention to the world-building is perhaps the film’s best achievement, constructing an entire universe that feels colorful and unique compared to anything else in recent film. – Brandon Zachary, CBR
I was pleasantly surprised how the bright colors and crisp visuals expanded the Super Mario universe to the big screen in a fresh, exciting way. – Christie Cronan, Raising Whasians
The different worlds of the film—the Mushroom Kingdom, the Jungle Kingdom, Bowser’s Kingdom, and more—are all so rich and full of life. – Lex Briscuso, The Wrap
Stunningly beautiful… The movie might work even better if you could mute it, pause, and zoom around its designs. – Germain Lussier, io9.com
While the animation is crisp, it’s not enough to overcome the film’s many deficiencies in every other aspect of its composition. – Sean Mulvihill, Mulviews
It’s visually bland in ways that reminded me of European knockoff animations. – Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
What about the script?
Parents shouldn’t expect a Pixar-level experience, but Matthew Fogel’s script has as at least as much narrative heft as the best Mario games. – Christian Zilko, IndieWire
Fogel is asked to juggle an insane amount of elements here, and yet, he’s able to make all these parts come together in a satisfying way. – Ross Bonaime, Collider
The plot is as basic as can be, and character development is clearly not a priority. – Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
It might not have the depth of something like Turning Red , Wolfwalkers , or Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio but it’s not trying to. – Brandon Zachary, CBR
When it comes to molding all that gimcrackery into, you know, a story, they lose the electronic pulse that made the game addictive. – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
It is very formulaic and was clearly made so that even the youngest fan can understand and enjoy it. – Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
A lot of the film’s jokes don’t land, at least for an adult audience, which will certainly make up a vast group for this picture. – Lex Briscuso, The Wrap
The Super Mario Bros. Movie feels as if Fogel was handed a list of iconic video game elements and was told to reverse engineer them into a barebones story. – Sean Mulvihill, Mulviews
Do any of the voice performances stand out?
One of the film’s biggest MVPs is Keegan Michael-Key’s Toad, who is responsible for half of the movie’s most comedic moments. – Lex Briscuso, The Wrap
Jack Black, who voices this horny demon [Bowser], gives a stupendous performance. – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
The real standout here is Jack Black as Bowser. His penchant for the grandiose makes him the perfect choice for the character. – Ross Bonaime, Collider
Jack Black as Bowser is one of his best performances ever. My favorite character hands down. – Christie Cronan, Raising Whasians
So it has a good villain?
Having a villain who’s a vulnerable ogre you’re at once appalled, amused, and fascinated by makes this a very different sort of kinetic kiddie fantasia. – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
He’s the full package: menacing and vicious with a soft and insecure side that bubbles over at the perfect comedic moment. – Lex Briscuso, The Wrap
Black’s performance makes Bowser more than just a villain to be toppled. – Ross Bonaime, Collider
What about Chris Pratt’s work as Mario?
What Pratt does works. I promise you that. It makes sense and even if it bothers you at the beginning, you are going to quickly forget it as the movie continues. – Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
Sorry to disappoint, but Pratt is a good choice for Mario, finding just the right amount of inflection for the character and without sounding like little more than a collection of the character’s famous lines. – Ross Bonaime, Collider
Pratt nails a modernized, slightly subdued version of a stereotypical Brooklyn accent that comes off natural and inoffensive, a logical portrayal of the Mario character. – Lex Briscuso, The Wrap
He’s not doing a terrible job so much as I’m not sure anyone really knows what the job is. – Reuben Baron, Looper.com
How is the length of the movie?
The brisk 92-minute running time is another plus, especially for younger attention spans. – Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
With a runtime of only 92 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. – Matthew Huff, AV Club
It’s a shame that the svelte 92-minute runtime means we don’t get much time to linger in this vibrant setting. – Fay Watson, Total Film
Will we want more Super Mario Bros. movies?
There are multiple hints at what could be coming next for the franchise. I just have my fingers crossed for more Luigi. – Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
As far as I’m concerned, it’s Game Over. – Sean Mulvihill, Mulviews
The Super Mario Bros. Movie opens in theaters everywhere on April 5, 2023.
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‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Review: Sheer Animated Fun, and the Rare Video-Game Movie That Gives You a Prankish Video-Game Buzz
The second time's the charm for Mario on film, as Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and a delectably villainous Jack Black voice a digital fairy tale that connects.
By Owen Gleiberman
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Mario just wants to rescue his brother, but then he meets Princess Peach ( Anya Taylor-Joy ), who rules over the Mushroom Kingdom’s denizens, who have spherical mushroom heads and the faces of airbrushed babies; they’re led by Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), a cuddlebug with attitude. Mario then teams up with Princess Peach to save her kingdom from Bowser, a fire-breathing beastie who commands a vast army of Koopas, who are turtles. Bowser is a turtle too, if a rather monstrous one — he’s like a fusion of Lionel Barrymore, the Wayland Flowers puppet Madame, and, a T. Rex plushie made for toddlers.
Jack Black , who voices this horny demon, gives a stupendous performance. Bowser is in love with Princess Peach, even as he’s planning to attack her empire, and Black, conjuring something very different from his usual hipster-stoner vibe, makes Bowser a domineering but deeply insecure romantic, like the Phantom of Opera as a neurotic troglodyte. Having a villain who’s a vulnerable ogre you’re at once appalled, amused, and fascinated by makes this a very different sort of kinetic kiddie fantasia. When Bowser is onscreen with his flaming red eyebrows and S&M arm bands, his gap-toothed reptile leer, his Meat Loaf-meets-Axl Rose soft-rock odes to Peach, and his nerd’s megalomania, the audience is in heaven.
There’s a way that mainstream animation, not to mention my own taste in it, has been evolving. So much of it has become rote, with an empty fractious dazzle that doesn’t ultimately sustain interest. And the Pixar brand, much as it saddens me to say it, has in recent years lost some of its humanistic luster. The animated movies I’ve been most drawn to have been off the Pixar grid — movies like “Trolls” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” which merge a kind of kinetic virtuosity with an emotional flair that sneaks up on you. I’d put “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” in that camp. It’s going to be a huge, huge hit, but not just because of its beloved gamer pedigree. (That didn’t help “Super Mario Bros.” in 1993.) It’s because the movie, as directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (from a script by Matthew Fogel), is a serious blast, with a spark of enchantment — that je ne sais quoi fusion of speed and trickery, magic and sophistication, and sheer play that…well, you feel it when you see it.
There have been approximately 50 movies based on video games, and most of them are terrible. I’ve had limited patience even for the ones that “work,” like the coolly depersonalized “Resident Evil” series or that first “Lara Croft” film. It’s not that I’m hostile to video games; it’s that the game and film mediums are so different. Then again, not all video games are the same — the funky nihilist hellscapes of Grand Theft Auto couldn’t be further removed from the interactive innocence of the Mario franchise. Mario presides over a digital playground that lifts the spirit to a place of split-second wonder, and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” stays true to that. Its ingenuity is infectious. You don’t have to be a Mario fan to respond to it, but the film is going to remind the millions who are why they call it a joystick.
Reviewed at AMC Lincoln Square, April 3, 2023. MPA Rating: PG. Running time: 92 MIN.
- Production: A Universal Pictures release of an Illumination, Nintendo, Universal production. Producers: Chris Meledandri, Shigeru Miyamoto.
- Crew: Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic. Screenplay: Matthew Fogel. Editor: Eric E. Osmond. Music: Koji Kondo, Brian Tyler.
- With: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Sebastian Maniscalco, Charles Martinet, Kevin Michael Richardson.
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‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Review: It’s-a Everything You Could Hope for From a Mario Movie
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Nearly thirty years ago, Nintendo made their first attempt at bringing their most iconic character to the movies with Super Mario Bros. , an unusual, gritty, and vaguely surrealistic take on the plumbing brothers Mario and Luigi as they made the journey from New York City to the Mushroom Kingdom. While the film is nowhere near as terrible as its reputation has led us to believe, the failure of that film caused Nintendo to be far more guarded about their properties, holding an iron grip on the rights to these video game characters for decades. Until now. If 1993’s Super Mario Bros. was a strange envisioning of what this video game world would look like, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the exact opposite: a colorful adventure brimming with references, a joyous celebration of this franchise’s history and the history of early Nintendo, and one of the best kids films in recent years.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduces us to Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt ) and Luigi ( Charlie Day ), two brothers in Brooklyn who are attempting to start their own plumbing business. Despite their family and others not having faith in the brothers, they’re optimistic in their venture, knowing that if they have each other, everything will be okay. After a plumbing incident threatens to leave Brooklyn covered in water, the brothers hit the sewers to try and fix the leak and make a name for themselves. But instead, Mario and Luigi end up in the Mushroom Kingdom, separated from each other during a dangerous time for the strange land.
Bowser ( Jack Black ) has gained a Super Star, which makes him invincible, and with this new power, he plans on heading to the Mushroom Kingdom with the plan of proposing to Princess Peach ( Anya Taylor-Joy ), so the two can rule the kingdoms together. With the help of a bold Toad ( Keegan-Michael Key ), Mario meets Peach, who is readying to fight back against Bowser, as Mario attempts to find his brother, who has become caught in Bowser’s grasp.
RELATED: First 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' Reactions Call It Delightful, Easter Egg-Filled, a Love Letter to the Games
From the very beginning, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is bursting with love for this series that many of us have grown up with. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is made by filmmakers who have excelled at this type of animated films that become almost like open playgrounds, as co-director Aaron Horvath (alongside Michael Jelenic ) also co-directed 2018’s Teen Titans Go! To the Movies , while writer Matt Vogel also wrote The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part . Obviously, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is in many ways a feature-length advertisement for Nintendo as a brand. However, Jelenic, Horvath, and Vogel make this feel more like a labor of love, as they’ve been given the keys to the (Mushroom) kingdom, and are allowed to go all-in with what any fan would want to see in a film like this. In many ways, The Super Mario Bros. Movie reminds of Wreck-It Ralph and the glee that came from seeing these characters on screen.
It’s also impressive how much The Super Mario Bros. Movie is able to fit into this narrative, from making the 1984 video game Wrecking Crew part of Mario’s story, referencing nearly every Mario game since the character’s creation, and even bringing the entire Donkey Kong crew into the mix (including the brilliant choice of having Seth Rogen as the voice of Donkey Kong) without feeling shoehorned in. It’s hard to imagine a film attempting to put as much into The Super Mario Bros. Movie as this film does, without making it feel overwhelmingly stuffed, while also doing the narrative justice in a way that doesn’t just feel like a reference-fest. Vogel is asked to juggle an insane amount of elements here, and yet, he’s able to make all these parts come together in a satisfying way.
Also bringing this world to life is a strong voice cast that are perfect fits for these classic characters. Sorry to disappoint, but Pratt is a good choice for Mario, finding just the right amount of inflection for the character and without sounding like little more than a collection of the character’s famous lines. Charlie Day is also an excellent choice for Mario’s nervous brother, Luigi, yet the character, unfortunately, doesn’t have enough to do—especially once he’s captured by Bowser early on. The same goes for Keegan-Michael Key’s Toad, who is along for the adventure, but rarely adds much to the proceedings. Seth Rogen is also brilliant as Donkey Kong, as he’s basically just presented as “what if Donkey Kong sounded exactly like Seth Rogen, including his laugh?” But the real standout here is Jack Black as Bowser. His penchant for the grandiose makes him the perfect choice for the character. He can be big and intimidating, but he can also sing love songs dedicated to Peach without it seeming out of character. To be fair, there’s not a lot of nuance to these characters, but Black’s performance makes Bowser more than just a villain to be toppled.
As you might be able to tell, I’m a huge fan of Mario and these characters, and some of my earliest memories are of playing these games. Like many people over the last few decades, I have grown up with Mario and Nintendo, and for fans, this feels like the film that they wished the 1993 film would’ve been. It’s great to see Illumination knock this out of the park, because it truly seems like without this film working, it might be another 30 years before Nintendo even attempted another movie. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a jubilant celebration of Mario’s legacy and shows just how much there is to explore in these video game worlds. For 100-minutes straight, I had a smile on my face throughout The Super Mario Bros. Movie .
But what about the viewers who didn’t grow up with Mario, who aren’t going into this animated adventure already primed to love this world? The Super Mario Bros. Movie might be a little light on plot and character development for the uninitiated, but it makes up for it with bright, fun worlds, surprisingly solid jokes, and a charm that rivals Illumination’s previous films. But considering the source material, it is sort of wonderful how much plot and character The Super Mario Bros. Movie is able to deliver on, and while this experience might not be ideal for those who aren’t already familiar with this character, the humor and the vibrant worlds should be enough to make this an enjoyable experience.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie isn’t perfect, but as a kid who grew up watching The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and Super Mario Bros ., hoping that they’d one day get this character right in a different medium, this is sort of a dream come true of a film. The Super Mario Bros. Movie captures the spirit of the games, the deep history, and the incredible possibilities that these games have presented for decades, all in one of the most fun animated films in years, with a team behind it that you can feel loves these characters and this world.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie comes to theaters on April 5.
- Movie Reviews
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a dazzling Super Star of a video game movie
A delightful movie that honors Nintendo's iconic gaming series
- Launches in theaters on April 5 - Produced by Nintendo, Universal, and Illumination - Stars Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Seth Rogen, and Keegan-Michael Key - Written by Matthew Fogel - Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic - 92-minute runtime
Since 1993, Super Mario Bros. has been a millstone around the Mario franchise's neck. The roundly vilified live-action movie has long been held up as an example of how not to adapt a game series theatrically. And yet, until recently, film studios continued to repeat the mistakes of Super Mario Bros. whenever they attempted to shepherd video game franchises onto the big screen.
Now, almost exactly 30 years on from Mario's first (and critically and commercially panned) cinematic outing, the legendary Italian plumber is back in movie form. The Super Mario Bros. Movie , a joint venture from Nintendo , Universal Pictures, and Illumination Entertainment, aims to lay Mario's theatrical demons to rest for good… but does it?
In short: yes, with a resounding Mario-esque "Wahoo!" for good measure. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a delightfully fun-filled animated adventure flick that'll earn the adoration of Mario fanatics, video game enthusiasts, cinephiles, and more casual observers. Even better, it's everything I wanted from a Mario film: a bright, inventive, funny, richly detailed, feel-good, and incredibly entertaining movie that truly captures the spirit of Nintendo's iconic gaming franchise.
A new kind of Mario Odyssey
The Super Mario Bros. Movie follows Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), inseparable Brooklyn-based brothers trying to get their plumbing startup off the ground.
While tackling a particularly big job, the siblings are unwittingly transported to another universe via a warp pipe. Along the way, Mario and Luigi become separated – Mario landing in the Mushroom Kingdom, and Luigi in the Dark Lands. Determined to be reunited with his younger brother, Mario enlists the help of the fearless Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), plucky and adventure-seeking Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and stubborn but strong Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) to find Luigi, who's been imprisoned by the power-hungry and maniacally ambitious Bowser (Jack Black).
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a Rainbow Road joy ride
The fire-breathing King of the Koopas seeks the Super Star, an item of unrivaled power that will aid his quest to become the tyrannical ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom and its neighboring realms. Mario and his friends, then, will have to pluck up the courage to not only save Luigi, but the entire world. No pressure, everyone.
Despite its title, The Super Mario Bros. Movie doesn't actually introduce its lead stars in its first act. The film's opening sequence is devoted to Bowser and his search for the Super Star – essentially, it's a longer version of the scene we witnessed in the movie's first trailer. Mario-less it may be, but it's nonetheless a great opening to the film. It lays the foundations for the film's joke-centric vibe, and sells the extraordinary threat that Bowser and his army pose to this part of the Mario multiverse (more on this later).
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That menacing tonality is aided by Bowser being voiced by someone as charismatic, and as humorously fiendish, as Black. The multi-talented entertainer is the star of the show (pun intended) as he plumbs (also pun intended) new depths of the multifaceted Bowser. As recent Mario games have shown, Bowser is more than a one-dimensional villain who's hellbent on world domination. He's a complex antagonist with his own insecurities, and Black does a stellar job of threading the needle between Bowser's ferocious, self-conscious, and uproarious personas. Black's Bowser commands a spine-tingling air of authority, with the actor's bellowing vocals amplifying the character's already expressive facial features and demeanor.
But enough of the movie's primary antagonist – what about our heroes? And, more importantly, is Pratt's Mario voice actually as lousy as we suggested when The Super Mario Bros. Movie 's first trailer was released?
Thankfully, no. The Guardians of the Galaxy star's take on the iconic character – one who's been voiced by Charles Martinet in the games since 1991 – isn't as disconcerting as the teaser footage makes out. Initially, it's a little off-putting, particularly when Pratt attempts to replicate Martinet's voice in an amusing, meta-esque commercial that Mario and Luigi make to promote their plumbing business early in the film. It's an unpalatable impression but, once Pratt's Brooklyn-inspired accent is engaged, it blends well with the amiable, assertive, and at-times anxious tonality he brings to the legendary character.
The supporting cast could have done with more thematic exploration and character development
After emerging from Mario's shadow in recent years – largely thanks to the Year of Luigi in 2013 – it's a tad disappointing that Mario's sibling receives limited screen time here. Luigi's small-scale character arc won't appease fans of the green clothes-wearing Nintendo figure, but the overall development he receives, plus his eventual importance to the plot – there's a reason why this film is called The Super Mario Bros. Movie – ends up being sufficient. The addition of a spooky, Luigi's Mansion -influenced sequence, which sees Luigi chased by a group of whimsically menacing Dry Bones, also makes for satisfying viewing.
Pleasingly, Taylor-Joy's Peach is given more to do than in early Mario games, too. The Mushroom Kingdom's leader is more than just another female character in need of rescuing, although there's a crowd-pleasing "the princess is in another castle" joke for fans of a certain disposition. Taylor-Joy imbues Peach with a quiet confidence and bravery in keeping with her royal station – and, even more delightfully, she actually gets some of the best action sequences in the whole movie. Peach's backstory would have benefitted from some additional plot exposition, though – as it is, it's largely skipped over all too briefly.
Bob-omb blows and Easter eggs galore
Truth be told, The Super Mario Bros. Movie 's supporting cast could all have done with a bit more thematic exploration and/or greater character development.
Sure, it's primarily a kid's movie, so a deep dive into each individual's motivation, history, and other important plot-based elements might be deemed superfluous. But, with its brisk runtime of 92 minutes, an additional scene or two expanding upon specific characters' vulnerabilities or backstories wouldn't have gone amiss. An extended sequence of Mario and Donkey Kong bonding over their inability to impress their fathers, for instance, would have tugged at the heartstrings, while allowing Key's comedic background to really shine through in Toad, too, wouldn't have impacted the film's duration.
In fact, the biggest criticism I can level at The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the breeziness of its plot. Like a fast-paced Mario Kart race, it hurries along at breakneck pace, especially early on, as the movie double-dashes towards the crux of its story. In some ways, that's a good thing – as a viewer, you're not asked to sit through middling or unnecessary story beats and scenes that could have been cut from the final product. On the other hand, the manner in which the film hurtles through its opening act makes it feel occasionally rushed.
Taylor-Joy imbues Peach with a quiet confidence and bravery
Once The Super Mario Bros. Movie settles into an evenly paced film, it's a Rainbow Road joy ride that just asks you to find every Easter egg and secrets to Mario 's game series, as well as games starring his contemporaries.
Some call backs are more obvious than others – the aforementioned Rainbow Road, the cringe-inducing Donkey Kong Rap, Cheep Cheep bridge, appearances from King Bob-omb and King Boo, and fire and ice flowers being five such additions. Others, such as a near-identical replica of World 1-1 from 1985's Super Mario Bros. game in one side-scrolling-inspired sequence, will only be noticeable to the expertly trained eye. Indeed, the game series' side-scrolling elements lend themselves perfectly to The Super Mario Bros. Movie , with each sequence bringing a brilliant and unexpected degree of verticality to proceedings. See if you can pick out which characters Mario's original voice actor Charles Martinet plays here, too, before the credits roll.
Fans of the game franchise's instantly recognizable music won't be disappointed, either. Unsurprisingly, original composer Koji Kondo's score is threaded through The Super Mario Bros. Movie – it wouldn't be a proper Mario movie without it, after all. Film composer Brian Tyler also finds a delicate balance between honoring Kondo's work and introducing original motifs; a musical marriage that's equal parts harmonious and rhythmical.
The addition of iconic 80s songs, such as Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out for a Hero and A-ha's Take on Me , serve as further nods to the era Mario and his fellow gaming icons were born in. Oh, and if you were holding out hope for numbers from the musically talented members of the movie's cast, such as Key and Black, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Bowser's ditty, in particular, will draw plenty of laughs.
The greatest compliment I can pay to The Super Mario Bros. Movie is that I couldn't stop smiling throughout its runtime. It's a highly enjoyable, nostalgia-fueled family-friendly film stuffed with visually arresting imagery, slapstick gags, countless secrets, and a rich thematic heart. Frankly, it's just wonderful to see a good Mario movie get made – one that superbly pays homage to Nintendo's legendary franchise, and Mario's legacy in the video game space.
It's also a film that only scratches the surface of the game series' untapped potential from a cinematic universe perspective. There are many directions that a Mario film series could go in – as one of The Super Mario Bros. Movie 's post-credits scenes teases, Nintendo, Universal, and Illumination seem to have an idea of where to take the movie series next – and whichever direction that is, I'll be there, rooting for them to deliver another first-rate Mario movie. Off the back of this flick, you can bet all of your gold, red, and blue coins on them succeeding, too.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie debuts in theaters on April 5.
As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot .
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across. Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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