Aaron Ploof
2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie hit big. It was released worldwide and garnered $1.361 billion, becoming the first video game movie to reach the billion-dollar mark. It was also the highest-grossing animated film of 2023. In addition, the animated film was the highest-grossing movie after the mega hit, Barbie. Audiences ate The Super Mario Bros. Movie up like it was a power shroom.
Conversely, critics came down much harder. On Rotten Tomatoes, the Audience Rating is 95%. The critics’ rating is much lower at 55%. The consensus is that while some of the action was exciting, the script was emotionless. Additionally, the movie lacked staying power or thematic depth.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a significant step up from its popular but coldly received predecessor. Whereas the original film wanted emotional payoff, Galaxy Movie actually develops some interesting themes on its own. It does this while still delivering a highly entertaining, colorful, and quite humorous take on the Super Mario franchise.
It has been some time since the events of the previous film. Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Luigi (voiced by Charlie Day) are busy running errands and fixing drainpipes, including one in The Desert Kingdom. Meanwhile, Bowser (voiced by Jack Black) remains captive in Peach’s castle, and Princess Peach is celebrating her birthday. During the party, Mario, Luigi, and their new friend Yoshi (voiced by Donald Glover) witness a shower of stars descending on the Mushroom Kingdom. Upon investigation, they discover a Luma star that pleads for Princess Peach’s assistance. The Luma reveals that his mother, Princess Rosalina (voiced by Brie Larson), has been kidnapped by Bowser Jr. (voiced by Bennie Safdie). Brave as always, Peach decides to venture out with Toad to rescue the stolen princess, leaving Mario and Luigi in charge. However, it isn’t long before trouble arrives in the Mushroom Kingdom.
All of this occurs within the first 15 to 20 minutes of the film. Even the prologue features an action set piece that captivates the audience. It is fast-paced, intense, colorful, vibrant, and entertaining. This action serves as a precursor to the subsequent set pieces, which are the highlights of the movie. Among the best scenes are the desecration of Peach’s castle and a thrilling dogfight featuring Fox McCloud (voiced by Glen Powell). There’s also a creative run through an obstacle course presented from different perspectives. Additionally, there’s a sequence where Peach herself mimics Neo from “The Matrix” while fighting in a casino.
To catch all of the humor in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it will help if you’re a Nintendo fan. References abound to games since the 80’s. If you’re familiar with the various franchises, you’ll no doubt catch most of them made throughout the film. Musical themes, cues, characters, and locations pop up. These serve as perfect easter eggs and will make any die-hard Nintendo player squeal with joy.
If you or your children haven’t had the chance to play the original Super Mario Bros., the Game and Watch titles, or even Star Fox, there’s plenty of clever humor in this film to entertain everyone. Tiny Bowser’s attempts to convince Mario of his transformation are genuinely funny. The scene from the trailers where he’s painting and then loses his temper is particularly adorable. What’s surprising is that both Bowser and Peach have character arcs in this movie, as does Mario, albeit to a lesser extent.
The characters in this movie are relatively simple, but there is more depth to the story than just a basic “rescue the princess” plot. Princess Rosalina and her Luma children, along with Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr., emphasize the importance of parental influence and involvement. Both Bowser and Rosalina raise their children with love, but their worldviews are significantly different. The way we raise our kids can, if we are fortunate, positively impact others. Or negatively, as Bowser’s case may be. Our values are passed down to our children, and they may return to shape our own worldview in the future.
For those looking for more Super Mario lore, you will definitely get that here. Peach’s origins are explored in depth, answering questions that have been lingering in Nintendo fan’s minds for the last decade or two. Some hints are also dropped about where the film series may be going next, bringing in another character who fans will be pleased to see. Make sure to stay for both end credit sequences.
Finally, performances in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are all solid. Chris Pratt still plays an o.k. Mario, and Charlie Day is well-cast as the more cowardly Luigi. Brie Larson shows fierce love for her character’s Luna children, but it is Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. that most impresses. Although he is the villain of the film, there is also a child-like innocence that Safdie instills, especially in his love for his father, the King of Koopas, King Bowser. Ultimately, Bowser Jr. just doesn’t know any better. He’s only following in his father’s footsteps.
While not quite reaching the caliber of studios like Pixar, Illumination and Nintendo have partnered once again to achieve a significant improvement upon their original effort. With more action, character, theme, humor, and heart, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie succeeds in almost all the areas in which its predecessor failed. Nintendo’s film future looks bright.
