Staying up late to play Super Mario Bros. on a Saturday night was a thrilling pastime as it allowed us kids from the 80s and 90s to explore new levels and conquer challenging obstacles, all while immersing ourselves in the colorful and imaginative world of the game. For many, these late-night gaming sessions became cherished memories that they still look back on fondly today. And now, these cherished memories can be replayed in the beautifully animated film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The new animated film is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, captures the essence of the game, and takes you on a nostalgic journey back to childhood with its impeccable animation and nostalgic score by Brian Tyler and Koji Kondo. Matthew Fogel's screenplay follows the game's formula, resulting in a successful action-adventure film full of easter eggs for gamers worldwide.
The film follows the Brooklyn plumbers, Mario and Luigi, as they try to save their failing business. But things take a turn when the brothers are trying to fix an overflowing water main, and a green tunnel sends Mario into the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi into the Dark Lands. Along the way, Mario with the help of Princess Peach, Toad, and other beloved Nintendo characters faces off against the fire-breathing villain Bowser to save Luigi and the Mushroom Kingdom.
Matthew Fogel's expertise in writing family-friendly screenplays is unquestionable, as he has contributed to some of the most iconic animated films of recent times, including the zany world of Minions and the wildly imaginative universe of The Lego Movie. In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Fogel expertly captures the essence of the beloved game, striking a perfect balance between adventure, humor, and heart.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie's animation is a breathtaking feast for the eyes. In a time when animated films have reached an impressive level of detail, this movie delivers stunning visuals that perfectly capture the colorful landscape of the beloved games. Moreover, the nostalgic score by Brian Tyler and Koji Kondo beautifully immerses viewers in the magical world of Mario, making it an unforgettable cinematic experience. From the iconic coin and power-up sound effects to the vibrant colors and intricate character designs, every detail of the movie is carefully crafted to make fans of the games feel right at home.
While there were concerns about Chris Pratt and Charlie Day as the voices of Mario and Luigi, both do deliver a solid performance. Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong was also a concern, didn’t like it nor disliked it. Anya Taylor-Joy was perfect as Princess Peach, but it was Jack Black as Bowser that was the show stopper, delivering a hilarious performance but staying true to the character's menacing personality. Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong was definitely a miscasting and give a terrible performance. Fans will be happy to know Charles Martinet does play two small roles, one being Mario and Luigi’s father and Giuseppe, a character based on the original Mario from Donkey Kong.
Despite, the excellent vocal performances from the cast, one would still ask themselves, “Why hire all these celebrities and not the original voice actors?” The filmmakers claimed they need a more grounded-sounding Mario. However, Martinets’s voice for the father was just Mario’s voice but much more older and grounded. This was just another case of Hollywood cashing in on celebrities’ names and not respecting the talents of voice actors.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie does fall into some modern Hollywood tropes, but the totality of the film is engaging, creative, and a delight for both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise. It's a worthy addition to the Super Mario Bros. legacy and will have gamers across the country screaming "wahoo" in unison.