SiftPop

by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer

When people talk about how video game movies are cursed, there’s often one example that comes to mind. I’m of course talking about the infamous 1993 Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo box office horror that has been relegated to B-movie status as a result of its incredibly poor quality, Super Mario Bros. 

So you can imagine the expectation and worry when Nintendo green-lit Illumination’s adaptation of its precious IP. That green light in fact became what we are here to review today, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. 

Starring big names like Jack Black as Bowser, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and of course, Chris Pratt as the titular man himself. So the big question remains — is this good? At all? Or is it another terrible, awful idea that we should try and relegate to the loss of cultural memory. 

To first give some context throughout this story, we follow our titular main character as he joins forces with Peach, and gets ready to square off against the all-powerful Bowser. Their mission? Stop him from conquering the world.

As looks go, this movie is beautiful. I feel that Illumination has finally found their footing, especially when it comes to standing out against the DreamWorks and Pixars of the world. It manages to represent the Mario game design, while effortlessly introducing its movie audience to a technicolor world beyond what we’ve ever perceived, in-game or otherwise. I felt myself enraptured as I watched the scenes go by, and didn’t even much care for the Easter eggs, as it were. All I wanted was to experience the world just a little bit longer. So in short, this movie really is a visual treat.

I will also say, contrary to popular belief, Pratt does not in fact ruin this movie. Quickly giving good reason as to why the traditional Mario voice would be foregone for this film, the rest of the characterization is just fine. In fact, I would say that in general, this A-list cast does a relatively great job within their roles. A special mention, of course, goes to Black, who really pulls out all the charisma stops with his Bowser.

However, this is not a perfect movie. Not by a long shot. First of all, let’s talk about the pacing. It’s impossible to deny that this is a film that was made for one key audience, and that audience is children. This is especially evident when it comes to the speed of its storytelling. There is hardly any time spent on the relationships or on developing a heart to the story. Instead, the film assumes that you understand enough about the origins of the game to not care as to whether or not the story holds up any sort of criticism — which, to be clear, it doesn’t. It’s not exactly breakneck speeds, but it is close to it. 

Its music is also fine to bad, depending on who you’re speaking to. It doesn’t shy away from the infamous Mario motifs, or from repeating them about 18 times throughout the 92-minute runtime. 

That’s when it’s not playing the “Top 10 Most-Used Soundtrack Songs of All Time” playlist. You might think I’m lying, but it almost gets comical after a while, as the song choices keep being unveiled. 

The music isn’t the only thing that is repetitive. If there’s one thing the Super Mario Bros. Movie achieves, it’s the inclusion of Easter eggs. They’re present in almost every moment, and don’t worry if you miss them, as they’re almost guaranteed to be repeated at least two more times before the movie is over. Again, this would be highly enjoyable for any child watching. However, if you’ve hit puberty, an eye roll or two is bound to happen.

It might seem like I’m picking this movie apart to the point of a low rating, but that is really not the case. Overall, it is fun, and it’s highly likely that you’ll end up having an incredibly fun time — especially if you’re a Nintendo kid. However, it has to be noted that this is not a film to expect at the Oscars next year. It’s not going to be critically acclaimed, it’s not going to win any major awards, and it’s not going to be a considered a great film by most. But, again, it is fun. 

Kids will love every minute of it, and older people who are still in touch with their inner child will find themselves laughing along with quite a few moments. I’m not even just talking about gamers at this point. I myself don’t have the nostalgia that many have associated with the Mario-verse, yet I still thoroughly enjoyed my viewing experience, and would certainly make my way back to the cinema for the next of what I’m sure is many sequels to come. 

So, if you’re willing to turn about 70% of your brain off, or are someone below the age of 10, then there’s no answer but to “Let’s-a-go” see this movie… (I’m sorry).

Rating: 6/10

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is currently playing in theaters

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You can read more from Alice-Ginevra Micheli, and follow her on Instagram and Letterboxd