The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) Comedy movie Review
I fondly recall playing the original Nintendo version of “Super Mario Bros.” back in the ‘80s. It was at a friend’s house, my first pal with an NES. I even dreamt about the game that night. Since then, the quirky, jumping plumber has been a constant in my entertainment life. I passed on my love for the franchise to my boys, who've conquered "Super Mario Odyssey" multiple times. Mario has evolved since the cringeworthy 1993 version, but the new “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” lacks the franchise's creative spirit. It's desperate, making references without substance. I wanted something that ignited my childhood imagination, like the first game, but got a movie as empty as a trailer—avoiding creativity. Mario and Luigi deserve better.
The movie starts in Brooklyn with plumbers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) launching their business. Some Nintendo easter eggs might bring a smile, and there's a clever scene mimicking the game's side-scrolling. A nod to The Odyssey hints at a hero’s journey, but what unfolds falls short of these promises.
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In a puzzling turn of events, Mario and Luigi stumble upon a massive pipe-filled chamber beneath Brooklyn and get whisked away to the Mushroom Kingdom. There, the villainous Bowser, played by Jack Black, threatens the kingdom and aims to make Princess Peach his bride. Surprisingly, Bowser doesn't belt out any clever tunes, a missed opportunity considering Jack Black's musical talents.
Luigi's unfortunate choice to land in a pipeline sidelines him, while Mario, on the other hand, meets Princess Peach and discovers power-ups, allowing him to grow, shrink, and even turn into a raccoon. Along the way, they team up with Donkey Kong, race down Rainbow Road, and save the day—no surprise for anyone familiar with movie plots.
Fans argue that a movie like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" doesn't need a strong script, emphasizing its design choices, such as the Donkey Kong Country setting and the well-directed "Super Mario Kart" sequence on Rainbow Road. However, the lack of storytelling creativity leaves something to be desired for fans who have cherished the franchise for generations.
The film's construction appears to lack meaningful decisions, relying on visual and character references for its 92-minute duration. It raises the question of why a beloved franchise settles for the bare minimum in storytelling. The reviewer suggests taking risks and introducing inventive spin-offs, citing examples like a "Mad Max: Fury Road" version of the "Mario Kart" sequence.
Criticism extends to the voice work, with Chris Pratt's performance described as lackluster, Charlie Day's expressive voice underutilized, and Seth Rogen being a bright spot but unable to save the overall mediocrity.
Despite the merger of nostalgia, Nintendo, and Illumination, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" falls short of expectations. Anticipating a sequel, the reviewer calls for creators to not take the fan base for granted and urges a shift from viewing these games as mere references to using them as foundations for fresh ideas. The reviewer, a fan and critic, emphasizes the need for more thoughtful and creative approaches to future films in the NES universe.