The Mario Universe Comes to Life on the Big Screen
Italian plumbers get isekai’d into a different dimension, level up, save the day and get the girl.
By Sharon Kim
Italian plumbers get isekai’d into a different dimension, level up, save the day and get the girl.
By Sharon Kim
“Super Mario Bros.,” a beloved Nintendo game series with a long running history, a staple in the game world with a wide variety of gameplays. A live action movie was bound to arrive at some point and the result from “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was surprisingly not bad.
The general synopsis is that we get introduced to who the Mario brothers were before knowing the existence of the Mushroom Kingdom and such with their ordinary lives as plumbers in Brooklyn. However after coming across a strange green pipe, the brothers get transported from their reality and get separated in a different universe. Mario (Chris Pratt), with the help of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and other inhabitants of the kingdoms, is determined to reunite with his brother Luigi (Charlie Day) as soon as possible before the looming doom of Bowser (Jack Black) threatens to take over their world.
Having prior knowledge of the games is a big component in the enjoyment of the movie, so having played the “New Super Mario Bros.Wii,” and watched “The Super Mario Bros Super Show!” myself as a kid, gave me a general grasp on what the movie would entail. Even so the movie contains some unexpected twists that would surprise viewers.
The movie likes to take itself seriously at times to build tension then release it in comical and lighthearted fun. But boy do the fight scenes pack a punch. The power ups from the games level up the action scenes that much more. So in terms of entertainment, this movie has it covered.
The catchy and old tunes reworked into “The Super Mario Bros.” soundtrack featured in the film were well incorporated. For me the “DK Donkey Kong Rap” that made me laugh and “Peaches” written and sung by Jack Black which made me cringe but both had their moments and added once again to the film.
The movie intertwines elements from most of the games that surround the Mario universe. From the newest to the niche callbacks, from the background characters, shops and music. Most Easter eggs were subtle yet again add to the enjoyment factor for well versed fans that spot and check them out. The original Mario voice actor, Charles Martinet, even voiced Mario’s father in the film and an extra background character named Giuseppe. Even in the sound bites alone, Nintendo estimates that there were about 130 songs that were referenced in some shape or form from the games.
This movie is just a love letter to all of those kids who have played the games for years and adored it. Some who grew much older don’t find the movie all that great because it's geared towards a younger audience’s humor, yet for many fans, it reignited feelings of nostalgia and just fun. Having a childlike spirit myself, I had no qualms about the film and just let myself flow with the scenes, whether gasping when a twist was revealed or recoiling when a nasty punch was thrown. I didn’t come in with the highest expectations, however, I was pleasantly surprised that the movie, while staying true to its source material, is able to expand, connect and give depth to this 2D world always viewed from the back or side.
From a critical standpoint the plot is generic, the character development is nothing to really rave about and the storytelling seemed rushed from point A to point B, but was it entertaining? Definitely. While there aren't any deeply emotional or profound groundbreaking moments in the film, I don’t think it's necessary for every movie, let alone a kids movie, to have one. So don’t let the rotten tomato score deter you if you have played or liked the games because this film is bound to get a laugh or two and it's just unadulterated fun.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is not the best movie but it’s definitely not the worst out there. So if you have played one or two of the games you’ll get a good kick out of it, and even if you know nothing more about Mario, Luigi and Bowser, it is still a fun watch.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is currently playing in theaters.
The general synopsis is that we get introduced to who the Mario brothers were before knowing the existence of the Mushroom Kingdom and such with their ordinary lives as plumbers in Brooklyn. However after coming across a strange green pipe, the brothers get transported from their reality and get separated in a different universe. Mario (Chris Pratt), with the help of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and other inhabitants of the kingdoms, is determined to reunite with his brother Luigi (Charlie Day) as soon as possible before the looming doom of Bowser (Jack Black) threatens to take over their world.
Having prior knowledge of the games is a big component in the enjoyment of the movie, so having played the “New Super Mario Bros.Wii,” and watched “The Super Mario Bros Super Show!” myself as a kid, gave me a general grasp on what the movie would entail. Even so the movie contains some unexpected twists that would surprise viewers.
The movie likes to take itself seriously at times to build tension then release it in comical and lighthearted fun. But boy do the fight scenes pack a punch. The power ups from the games level up the action scenes that much more. So in terms of entertainment, this movie has it covered.
The catchy and old tunes reworked into “The Super Mario Bros.” soundtrack featured in the film were well incorporated. For me the “DK Donkey Kong Rap” that made me laugh and “Peaches” written and sung by Jack Black which made me cringe but both had their moments and added once again to the film.
The movie intertwines elements from most of the games that surround the Mario universe. From the newest to the niche callbacks, from the background characters, shops and music. Most Easter eggs were subtle yet again add to the enjoyment factor for well versed fans that spot and check them out. The original Mario voice actor, Charles Martinet, even voiced Mario’s father in the film and an extra background character named Giuseppe. Even in the sound bites alone, Nintendo estimates that there were about 130 songs that were referenced in some shape or form from the games.
This movie is just a love letter to all of those kids who have played the games for years and adored it. Some who grew much older don’t find the movie all that great because it's geared towards a younger audience’s humor, yet for many fans, it reignited feelings of nostalgia and just fun. Having a childlike spirit myself, I had no qualms about the film and just let myself flow with the scenes, whether gasping when a twist was revealed or recoiling when a nasty punch was thrown. I didn’t come in with the highest expectations, however, I was pleasantly surprised that the movie, while staying true to its source material, is able to expand, connect and give depth to this 2D world always viewed from the back or side.
From a critical standpoint the plot is generic, the character development is nothing to really rave about and the storytelling seemed rushed from point A to point B, but was it entertaining? Definitely. While there aren't any deeply emotional or profound groundbreaking moments in the film, I don’t think it's necessary for every movie, let alone a kids movie, to have one. So don’t let the rotten tomato score deter you if you have played or liked the games because this film is bound to get a laugh or two and it's just unadulterated fun.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is not the best movie but it’s definitely not the worst out there. So if you have played one or two of the games you’ll get a good kick out of it, and even if you know nothing more about Mario, Luigi and Bowser, it is still a fun watch.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is currently playing in theaters.