Let’s-a all go to the movies: The Super Mario Bros. Movie Review

The journey waiting for The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been an interesting one. From the moment we heard Illumination Studios got the green light for this long-anticipated project, getting to the release of the film has been one heck of a ride. From the surprising voice cast to the trailer that broke the internet, the excitement for this movie has only skyrocketed since its announcement. Now that we’re finally here, is the movie any good? Does it live up to the expectation of Mario fans everywhere? And what could this mean for video game movies in the future?

This is going to be a spoiler-free review. There may be some vague mentions of certain events, but no major spoilers will be posted in this review.

A Retro Game Retrospective

Before we jump right in, we’ve got to take a step back to really see how far we’ve come.

This isn’t the first time Super Mario Bros. was adapted onto the big (or small) screen, and I have a feeling it won’t be the last. However, the last time we got a Super Mario Bros. movie, it was met with, well…let’s say “mixed” reception. 

The 1993 live action production was an odd perception of our favorite mustachioed plumber in red, to say the least. Still, even most who find it enjoyable can say that it’s entertaining for all the wrong reasons. I won’t lie, I find myself snickering at the “Mario Mario” and “Luigi Mario” joke from time to time, but would I consider it a good Mario movie? No. To be frank, it’s not a good movie period. Be thankful I didn’t include a photo of the Goombas. Needless to say, there was a lot of hope for a more accurate representation of Nintendo’s golden boy.

Many people were concerned when they heard Illumination was taking the helm of creating this new Mario film, and I suppose I could understand why. Illumination is most well known for playing things safe and not taking too many risks, leaving many crowds over the age of ten feeling somewhat underwhelmed by most of their films. Also, Minions, which have to be the most divisive mascots on the face of the planet.

The news didn’t surprise me much, as Miyamoto’s feelings about treating his creation with respect and portraying him in a particular manner has always been important to him and a safe collaboration with Illumination seemed like a logical choice. That being said, there aren’t many movies from Illumination that I personally ever found outright despicable (well, except for the Despicable Me trilogy, but that’s a good thing) and I knew if anything that kids would have a great time with the film, which is kind of the point. I knew I would enjoy it regardless as well, but I am a woman-child, so take that as you will. 

Then the casting was announced. Oh, did the internet roar with controversy that day. Of course, Jack Black was instantly accepted with a few other cast members alongside him, but I don’t think anyone at all was expecting to see Chris Pratt as the voice of Mario. As someone who is generally a fan of Pratt’s work, I just couldn’t visualize it. Needless to say, there were many memes made that day.

Then we got the first trailer. My goodness, that glorious trailer.

Almost suddenly the doubts and nay-sayers dispersed. Well, most of them. The positive reception this trailer gained was mind-boggling! Everyone went absolutely bonkers for Jack Black’s stellar performance as the King of the Koopas and the humorous penguin scene had so many in stitches! I got goosebumps seeing this trailer in theaters shortly after and I absolutely could not wait to see the full film.

There was talk about this movie everywhere. Mystery blocks were popping up all over Twitter, and everyone was eagerly anticipating what we would see next! I will not act like there wasn’t any negativity, mostly regarding Pratt’s Mario voice (we’ll get to that later), but from what I saw, everyone was collectively hyped for this movie. It went from being a project that everyone was skeptical about to grabbing everyone’s attention and praise so much that they released it a few days early in the United States — and you can bet I took advantage of that.

The reason I mention all the excitement leading up to the final product is because of how significant the change of attitude from gamers all around the globe saw this movie. The 80’s cartoon was a cheesy delight and the 1993 movie was…a movie, but nothing on screen truly captured the core of what makes a Mario game so great. These trailers gave us hope that this was finally it: the movie we had all been waiting for. 

So is it?

Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn: The Story

Let’s be real, Mario games are generally not well-known for their intricate storytelling. I classify them in the same category as most of Disney’s original work: simplistic stories with charming characters, a sense of fun, and emotional drive. They may not be as in-depth as something like certain Legend of Zelda titles in terms of complexity, but that’s why it appeals to almost everyone. It’s easy to have fun with this crew no matter what silly situation they’re thrown into and you always want to see our hero rise to the occasion. Does the movie stick with this formula? Or do they try to do something new?

To be straightforward, no. It is exactly the story you think it will be. Mario and Luigi are transported from Brooklyn, New York to the wondrous world of the Mushroom Kingdom but are separated through the magical Warp Pipe. It’s now Mario’s goal to get the help of Princess Peach and search for his brother who has landed in the Darklands where Bowser reigns supreme. However, Bowser is not content with simply ruling over his domain and yearns for more.

There are a few more points here and there, but that’s more or less the whole plot of the movie. Pretty basic, right? Sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad by any means. I honestly couldn’t imagine a Mario movie being so complex — well, one that works, anyway. You get a little bit of backstory for Mario and Luigi as it is their origin story, but it’s nothing super deep. Each character’s arc is a little on the nose, but overall teaches good lessons for kids to learn. 

Even though the story is rather simple, that leaves a lot of room for some fun jokes and lots—and I mean LOTS—of Easter Eggs! I’m so tempted to spill them all here, but I’ll restrain myself. There are many prominent ones, like locations being levels from the games and Charles Martinet’s promised cameo that you can’t miss! Actually, because the story is more laid back, it’s easier to find all of these hidden gems.

Overall, this movie is easy to follow and a fun journey following Mario and Luigi as they adventure across the Mushroom Kingdom to reunite, and that’s mainly because we have a cast of likable characters that give us a grand old time.

It’s-a Me: The Characters

If the characters in a movie aren’t likable, why would we want to watch them? Why care if they succeed or fail? Even if they are recognizable faces from a beloved video game franchise, it’s a whole different challenge bringing them to the big screen where the player isn’t behind the controller. So how do these iconic characters hold up in this film?

We’ll start with Mario. We have to — it’s his movie. He’s the chipper, determined hero that we know and love. Of course, he’s got his Brooklyn edge in this movie, but he’s still a sweetheart through and through. His love for his brother and others is evident and a driving force for him to do the right thing. There are several moments we see his selflessness, including one of my favorite little moments where Toad is toting Mario around the Mushroom Kingdom, and along the way, another Toad drops a coin, to which Mario goes out of his way to pick it up and hand it back to the little fella. Such a small thing left such a big impact on me. Mario is an overall good guy and though he’s got a lot to learn about this brand-new world and how to survive in it, he is definitely someone who we can easily root for. 

Now I know you all want to know about the voice, so we’ll talk about it. It’s fine. Is it a little jarring to hear Chris Pratt’s voice coming from Mario? Sure. As someone who can easily shut my brain off and immerse myself into whatever I’m watching, even I couldn’t help but hear Pratt instead of Mario at certain points. However, credit where credit is due, while he doesn’t do the voice just like Martinet (no one can, let’s be real), he sounded like Mario in the sense that he had the joy of the character. You can tell there was definitely care put into his performance. It’s ultimately subjective, so you’re either going to like it or you’re not, but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker even if it’s not working for you personally. 

Next, we have the man in green, Luigi. Luigi is also another sweet and lovable character, there’s no doubt about it. Honestly, I just wish there was more of him. We know Mario is the main character and more focus is put on him, but after Luigi’s scene from the trailer where he’s chased by Dry Bones (which was brilliant in its entirety, mind you), he’s rather stagnant for a long while. However, that being said, he certainly gets his time to shine and prove how together the Mario Bros can take on any challenge that comes their way!

Going into this movie, we all knew Peach was going to take on a bit of a personality change, which was welcome by some and rejected by others. I was somewhere in the middle of this and now after seeing the film for myself, my opinion remains the same. She is definitely more proactive, which can be a good thing if utilized properly.

I have sort of a complicated history with Peach. At first, I didn’t really care much for her, but in middle school, I decided I hated her. I was a bit of a tomboy, so all the pink and girly characters were not my style, but as I grew older and embraced my own femininity, I started to appreciate her a lot more. She was a damsel in distress, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t fight and handle her own on other occasions, and she did it while flaunting her traditionally girly ways. I loved that, and now she is my go-to Mario character. There’s a nice balance to her character that had been forming over the years, but in this movie, there is definitely more of a lean toward her being a kick-butt princess who doesn’t need saving. This has been a common trope in movies lately and it can work well, but it can also fail and completely butcher a character. However, while Peach drifted more towards the more “girl boss” approach, there is one thing that saves Peach where other characters in this trope fail: ultimately, she is still kind first and foremost.

Many female heroes have suffered from no-personality syndrome or are just perfect jerks who know how good they are without a lesson to be taught. Peach retains her kindness, thinking of her kingdom first. Even when she doubts Mario’s skills, she still sees his efforts to try and his big heart altogether. Although I personally miss her more feminine style of fighting and her somewhat ditzy nature, Princess Peach was still ultimately a likable character (who had some really great chemistry with Mario, by the way). 

Another character who some were fearful of was Toad. Most people are right to be wary of the comic relief sidekick, and for those who loathe Minions with a passion, I can definitely understand where that concern comes from. However, you have nothing to fear because Toad is perfectly utilized in this movie. Keegan-Michael Key doesn’t use an overly obnoxious voice, even though its a noticeably higher pitch than his normal speaking voice, and has great comedic timing. Toad could have easily been removed from the movie and nothing would have changed plot-wise, but he was great for both a laugh and sincere, heartfelt moments — particularly between him and Peach. 

Then there’s our big bad, Bowser. Do I even need to say anything? It’s Jack Black at his peak. He is fully embracing the role and loving it. As for his character, there is something of a “twist” in his motivation for stealing the Super Star, though once you hear it you’ll totally get it and it just gets more hilarious from there. What’s refreshing about Bowser being the villain is we know from the start he’s a bad guy and there’s nothing changing that. There’s nothing that tries to make you feel sorry for him or make you relate to what he wants. I mean, you might want him to get what he wants, but you and I need to have a little chat after you finish this article if that’s the case. Still, it’s great to see a classic bad guy again in the cinemas along with Kamek and his other minions (not those kind) who are utilized wonderfully. 

There are a few other characters we meet through the movie, and I suppose I’ll highlight a bit of Donkey Kong since he becomes relatively prominent in the second half of the movie, but honestly, he’s probably the character I have the least to say on. He starts an admittedly funny rivalry with Mario, but because the movie is almost over by this point, it’s kind of rushed through to get to the end. Still, he did have his moments, and the fight between him and Mario was a really fun scene, which this movie is chock full of. 

Great Graphics: The Visuals

Illumination had always boasted some visually appealing animation and this movie is no exception. It was so easy to get lost in the worlds visited in the movie. The scene where Mario first steps foot in the Mushroom Kingdom really makes you feel the scale of everything from the scenery to the creatures that dwell within it. It felt so vast, and yet you could easily recognize points and not feel lost or confused by the size of it all with distinct (and iconic) features such as Princess Peach’s castle. Even Brooklyn looked bright and cheery instead of drab and plain, which is a nice change of pace.

So much was implemented from the games into this larger than life world. As mentioned, seeing Peach’s castle was outstanding in itself, but once you head on into the castle, there are paintings as far as the eye can see — a clear reference to Super Mario 64. There are several levels also included in this film that eagle-eyed gamers will be able to recognize with ease, and they’re all beautifully rendered in this collaboration between Illumination and Nintendo artists.

As mentioned, the action sequences were stellar to watch. It takes a lot for me to really be invested in the choreography of action scenes, but so many of these scenes were carefully and cleverly crafted. Everything was so well thought out and, I can not stress this enough, that includes from a gaming perspective as well. How every single power up and environment is used is something we’ve seen others or have taken part of ourselves while enjoying a nice game of Mario. 

All the characters and creatures look phenomenal as well. I will admit, there is something a little off when you first see these characters’ animated counterparts compared to the original models that we’re familiar with. They’re just slightly different and it may take some time to get used to (especially when Mario and Luigi take their hats off) but once you do, you can really appreciate all of the details. 

Speaking of the creatures, heads up on some of them if you’re bringing little ones to the theaters with you. Everything looks visually fantastic, but if you thought the polygonal Nintendo 64 version of a certain, infamous aquatic enemy was scary, you might want to cover your kid’s eyes (or yours, no judgment here). Luigi’s full scene with the Dry Bones might also be a little more than some kids can handle too. It’s visually stunning and even thrilling to watch, but I know if I were a kid, this and the scene I mentioned before probably would have terrified me. 

Sounds Familiar: Score and Soundtrack

I remember first watching that sneak peek of the movie sent out across social media, and while the scene itself contained that endearing moment between Mario and a random Toad that I love so much, another thing I couldn’t help but praise was the score. They had so many Mario motifs playing throughout! I was able to pick out each one, getting more excited as one song melded into the next.

There were so many times where the visuals blended seamlessly with action happening on screen. It was such an enjoyable experience just sitting there and soaking it all in. Entering new locations or meeting new characters also brought in some grand orchestral motifs that were admittedly a little in your face, but gamers are sure to recognize these pieces and rejoice at the sound of them. There’s a little something for everyone, not favoring one game over another, there are classic Mario tunes scattered throughout from the original SNES game to the latest Super Mario Odyssey. They even included the Super Mario Bros. Super Show! theme song in their plumbing business commercial! 

The licensed songs, on the other hand, were something of a mixed batch. Some of these tunes matched up perfectly to what was happening on the screen. I could not tell you how hard I laughed when I heard “I Need a Hero” playing during one of Mario’s training montages. Others just did not fit the bill. They felt a bit out of place, especially for a Mario movie and distracted from what we were supposed to be focusing on. 

Then there’s the original piece. Yes, there is an original piece for this movie, I kid you not. Without giving away too much, let’s just say if you liked “Lost in the Woods” from Frozen II and everything it entailed, you are going to go absolutely nuts for this little number. 

The Last Level: Final Thoughts

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was exactly what I thought it would be and exactly what it should be — a fun and charming movie that was a huge love letter to its source material that had me smiling ear to ear the entire time. I am not one to laugh out loud at movies, but this movie got me to chuckle a good number of times and I hardly even noticed how poorly behaved the children sitting to my left were throughout the duration of the film because I was having such a good time. But seriously though, parents, don’t be on your phone and let your kids wander out of their seats during a film. It’s just rude. 

If I have to think like an actual critic, the movie would probably be something around a 7.5 out of 10. However, rating it in terms of how much fun I had with this movie, it would easily rank a 10 out of 10. It’s not a complicated movie, it’s relatively predictable, and the characters aren’t super deep, but the film doesn’t need any of this. It’s got personality, heart, and laughs all around! 

It definitely makes it more enjoyable to know the franchise before you go in, but it’s not necessary either. Children will absolutely enjoy it, every kid in my theater was having a blast with the film, even the rowdy bunch to my left. I could see adults who aren’t familiar with the franchise potentially getting bored with this movie. I would say if you’re that person who goes to Disney and tells kids the characters are just people in costume, this film probably isn’t for you. However, if you can shut your logic off for an hour and thirty minutes, and especially if you love the Super Mario Bros. franchise, you should definitely check this film out. As for myself, I am standing here with my money extended in Nintendo’s direction, waiting to purchase a copy of this film for myself to watch again and again. 

Potential for More?

This next segment contains a teeny hint of spoilery-ness, so if you want to go in completely blind, you might want to skip the paragraph. However, I feel it necessary to mention it because it could potentially mean more movies in Nintendo’s future. 

At the very end of the credits, we get a tiny clip that is clearly set up as sequel bait. It leaves on a tiny cliffhanger, leading us to believe either they think they’re going to do well enough to make a sequel or that it’s already in the works. That being said, if Nintendo makes more Mario movies, why stop with just that? There are plenty of other series it could create more films out of: Kirby, Fire Emblem, Metroid, oh yeah, and The Legend of Zelda. 

While this is merely speculation at this point, it is a possibility for the future. If they do decide to make a Zelda movie, would they base it on a particular game, or make a conglomerate world just for a film like this movie did? Would Illumination still be in collaboration for the project? Or would they go elsewhere for something with a little more substance? Mario and Zelda do have a lot in common, but I think their storytelling elements are considerably different. I could see something based on the original Zelda title being more malleable to work with, but is that something fans would want to see?

As of right now, I don’t know if I can envision what a Zelda movie might look like, but I can certainly see it happening. Zelda, along with Mario and Pokémon, is one of Nintendo’s greatest hits, and with Mario gaining this movie and Pokémon already having an entire anime along with numerous movies, it’s likely that Zelda will likely get its time on the big screen sometime in the near future. But for now, we can only imagine what that might look like and should likely focus more on the new game that lies before us in just a few weeks.