7/10
The Super Mario brothers return to the big screen for the second time in three years, and they do so with a splash. Yet again, it’s a box office smash. The first Super Mario movie was the highest-grossing video game film of all time, leaving the sequel with big shoes to fill. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is littered with references that will excite anyone who grew up with the classic game. The iconic Mario music and animation evoke nostalgia and build excitement for a potential third movie in the series.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie follows Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day). Following their victory against Bowser (Jack Black) in the first movie, they have become the impromptu Avengers of the Mario universe. As the Mario Brothers are in the middle of freeing the first of many new characters, Yoshi (Donald Glover), from a blocked sewer port, danger comes crashing through.
Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson), the newest princess addition to the Mario Movies, and her star-like babies are flying through the galaxy when she is suddenly kidnapped by a vengeful Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie). The Mario brothers go to the Mushroom Kingdom and meet with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) to tell her about Rosalina’s kidnapping. Once she hears of the danger, she leaves the Mario Brothers in charge of her kingdom while she, with the help of her sidekick Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), heads to the space port to learn more about Rosalina’s whereabouts.
As Mario and his crew travel from planet to planet, the film leans into one of its greatest strengths: its vibrant animated locations and nostalgia-based music. Entire scenes are used as ways to reveal almost every important character Nintendo has ever created, making the movie consistently riveting. Even blinking would lead to a missed cameo.
The story, however, is much less ambitious. The plot follows a fairly predictable path, as Mario seems to effortlessly jump from challenge to challenge with little difficulty. Similar to the first movie, there’s never really any question as to whether Mario will succeed. While the Galaxy setting and the growth of the Bower’s armies raise the stakes on paper, they do not add much narrative depth. Many of the major plot points can be guessed early on in the movie, which reduces some tension where the movie should have the most drama. There is almost no attempt to surprise the audience, with the film instead following the formula that there is no challenge Mario can’t solve.
Character development is another area where the movie fails to fully capitalize on its galactic scale. Although Mario is traveling through the galaxy, his character remains largely unchanged. He functions more as a consistent heroic figure than as a complex person.
The same is true of Bowser. At the start of the movie, it appears he may have changed his ways and wants to be friends with Mario, but he quickly falls back into old habits, serving as a comedic villain rather than the serious threat he is portrayed as in the Mario games. Even Rosalina’s cosmic powers and importance to the Cosmos seem underutilized. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie seems to be uninterested in the seriousness of its characters.
However, one of the many bright spots the film offers is its introduction of Yoshi as another comedic force. He adds energy throughout the movie, from his role in Mario and Luigi’s fight to his ongoing beef with Toad. It’s a nice bit of spice in a movie full of blander characters.
The film’s visuals are its biggest strength. Its references to the games of old, along with some from the original 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie, tie the film together and serve as genuinely beautiful art pieces.
The movie ends exactly as expected. Mario and his crew storm Bowser Jr.’s planet, and although the visual aspects of the final battle are nothing short of breathtaking, of course, the trio of Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi unquestionably proves to be too much for Bowser and his son.
The film’s post-credit scene leads the viewer back to the Gateway galaxy, an intergalactic airport where a mini monkey is pickpocketing a traveler. Right as the monkey appears to have gotten away princess Daisy stops him. Another main character has been introduced. There’s clearly an easy opportunity for a third movie.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a completely appropriate sequel. It lives up to the hype of the first movie and is a great vessel for exactly what the film promises: cameos of almost every character Nintendo offers, plenty of nostalgia, great music, and comedic storytelling. The movie, although not the strongest storytelling, is fun to watch. And that’s what matters.
