The Super Mario Bros. Movie movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

This very colorful tribute to the popular video game is now available in theaters.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 32 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Can you believe I’ve never played any of the Mario Brothers games? I have four sons, so it definitely was played in my home for years. I tried playing it once, but that was when my kids were out for blood and absolutely did not let me win just to humor me. They would kill me within minutes. I did notice that whether my sons had guy friends or girl friends over to hang out, everyone wanted to play it. I spent a lot of money on Nintendo over the years!

While critics are not loving this thinly-plotted movie adaptation, fans are giving it a big thumbs up and being swept away by the nostalgia. Because the game has been so beloved for four decades, the pressure was definitely on to get it right. The film was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. The script was written by Matthew Fogel.

THINGS I LIKED:

The fantastic voice talent includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, Charlie Day, Fred Armisen, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Kevin Michael Richardson. They all did an excellent job. Many of them showed up at the premiere wearing outfits that paid tribute to their characters. Cute!
Jack Black had some great moments in the movie. I always love it when he sings! It’s never great, but always hilarious.
Seth Rogen’s laugh is so recognizable, so it was funny to hear Donkey Kong laugh like that.
Fans will get a kick out of all the hidden Easter eggs, which are many! In fact, the game appears to be designed as pure fan service. If you see this in the movie theater, you’ll be surrounded by enthusiastic fans who will cheer and clap, making it all the more fun.
It’s extremely colorful with enough details in every frame to keep you entertained and engaged. I love details.
I love that simple scenes include the up-and-down movement of the game, as characters jump and climb to get over obstacles. Clever.
Nice animation brings the video game back to life but in a more detailed way. The pasta looked delicious!
Lots of amusing humor, both spoken and visual.
The music and sound effects are super fun.
The Mushroom Kingdom looks fantastic and so magical! That’s when the movie really came alive for me.
It’s one of the best video-game adaptations I’ve seen on the Big Screen.
Adorable ending.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

There is no real character growth.
Because I’ve never played the game, I was hoping to learn more about the characters and backstories.
Adults who have never played the game won’t be as interested, deciding it’s just a whole lot of color and noise like a cartoon that plays on the TV while the kids engage with other toys and activities in the same room.
The plot is very simple and thin. I agree with the critics. The story doesn’t move the scenes forward. Instead, the scenes exist for fan service with a weak plot that stitches them together.
Some of the songs don’t quite fit the video game but will resonate with older fans of the Nintendo era.
I wanted to see all of the details in the backgrounds, but they were usually blurred out.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Talk of killing someone
Some “light” profanity
Lots of destruction
People and creatures in perilous situations

THEMES:

Friendship
Brotherhood
Teamwork
Love
Marriage
Loyalty

FUNNY LINES:

“You just got Luigi’ed!” – Luigi (Charlie Day)
“Trust the fugus!” – Mario (Chris Pratt)
“Mario, I got a feelin’. I got a feelin’ we ain’t in Brooklyn no more.” – Luigi (Charlie Day)