The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Originally published Oct 10, 2023
When it comes to video games, most people have that one character or franchise they associate with the medium above all others. For me, that honor goes to Super Mario Bros. While it’s easy to harp on his games for their repetitive simplicity, there’s just something so fantastical about the nonsensical variety of characters, items and locations that comprise Mario’s fantastical series. Naturally, I was exhilarated when Nintendo announced The Super Mario Bros Movie, and come opening night, I was met with a movie that met the Mario standard: a bright, colorful and fast-paced adventure whose animation, action and music outweigh its shortcomings.
Many were concerned when it was first announced that Illumination would be producing The Super Mario Bros Movie, but oddly enough, after watching it, I don’t think any other animation studio could’ve done this movie justice. The animation team did an exceptional job of bringing the world of Mario to life, giving it and its inhabitants an eye-catching level of detail while still keeping true to its designs and style. In the same manner, the action scenes in this movie are as dynamic as they are many. If Nintendo made a new Mario game with the same variety of action as this movie, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. And rounding out the non-negotiable pros of this movie is it’s superstar soundtrack, expertly using the motifs the game franchise is so loved for. In short, this movie more than succeeds at capturing the heart of its source material, but that’s not to say it doesn’t have its occasional hiccups.
In keeping with the Mario games, the movie’s story is basic and a bit rushed at some points, never really taking the time to flesh out its characters to the max. Admittedly, you don’t play Mario games for intricate stories, but a basic story can only bring people back for rewatch so many times. Ultimately, I find the film’s runtime to be its biggest fault, as it leaves plenty of elements from the games unexplored. But, I guess that’s what a sequel is for…
In spite of some structural faults, The Super Mario Bros Movie is an evident labor of love that’ll give fans of the games a Super experience. Go grab your Power-ups and go see a movie that’ll make you say “Wa-hoo!”
Rating: 7.5/10
