REVIEW: The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a Simple, Fun-Filled Ride
When video game designer, Shigeru Miyanoto first introduced the player character Mario in 1981, he was only meant to play a minor role in the Nintendo world. Miyanoto wasn’t expecting anything from the character except for a couple of cameo appearances here and there, but sure was he wrong. In 1985, Nintendo released the instant hit, Super Mario Bros., and Mario’s success soared. The character would soon become the face of Nintendo games and make appearances in over 200 video games for the company. Now, Universal Pictures and Illumination are taking the character off the small screen and bringing him to life on the big screen in the animated film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
This flick finds Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and his brother, Luigi (Charlie Day) trying to start their own plumbing business in Brooklyn, NY, with not much success. Not one to give up, Mario tries everything and anything to make the Super Mario Brothers plumbing company a success. When word of a major water main break gets out, Mario, with Luigi by his side, sets out to fix it, in hopes it will be the job that puts their company on the map. But, when Mario and Luigi come across a mysterious unground pipe, the brothers are torn apart and thrust into a new magical world. It is here where Mario must team up with some unlikely heroes if he hopes to save his brother before it’s too late.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, this movie pays homage to all things Nintendo. Fans of the video games will recognize most of the characters and lands that appear throughout the film. As well as the score, which comes directly from the game and is entwined beautifully with chart-topping hits. As for the dialogue, screenwriter Matthew Fogel, managed to feature many of the iconic lines from the video game without making any of them feel forced or out of place. With these wonderful pieces in place, the story unfolds as though the viewer is actually playing one of Mario’s many video games. And for those prone to motion sickness whilst playing one of the games, don’t worry you are in good hands.
Pratt steps into the blue overalls to voice Mario and does well. He doesn’t try to mimic the Mario voice many are used to hearing, but instead creates his own voice. I know for many, his voice was a huge issue for many leading up to the film’s release because it didn’t sound anything like the Mario they grew up with, but I thought his voice worked well for the role. I ultimately forgot it was him voicing the role as the story progressed because I was so caught up with everything happening on screen. However, one voice I could not separate from the character was Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong. Rogen doesn’t necessarily do a bad job as DK, but you know it is Rogen every time DK opens his mouth. Anya Taylor-Joy voiced the tough as nails Princess Peach and couldn’t quite keep up with her other cast mates. I don’t know if it was her dialogue or if it was because this was her first voice acting role, but the voice just didn’t work for me.
Keegan-Michael Key voiced Mushroom Land resident, Toad and does a fantastic job. He and Jack Black, who voices the villainous Bowser, were the clear winners for me. Both stars leaned heavily into their characters, creating voices that fit the looks of their characters and their individual stories. At no point were you associating the voice of Bowser with Black or Toad with Key.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie isn’t the best video game adaptation to be released, but it doesn’t have to be. It just has to be fun and entertaining, just like the games it is based on. The movie is wonderfully animated and straight to the point. If you go in with an open mind, you will find yourself walking out of the theater with a smile on your face.
Grade: A