It’s been about thirty years since Nintendo allowed one of their IP’s to be translated in to a feature film, and now that video game movies have upped the ante in substance, the time is right for a return from the Mario Bros. Their mascot Super Mario makes his big screen return in a new animated feature from the studio that gave us the (ugh) Minions. In spite of that fact, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is really quite good, and dare I say one of the best video game movies ever made. As with most IP’s of Mario’s ilk, there was some ballyhoo around casting decisions made for his return, but “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” comes out looking quite shiny.
Set in Brooklyn, Mario and his brother Luigi are trying to start up a new plumbing business. But when they’re accidentally warped in to a weird land, Mario and Luigi are split apart. Mario is discovered by the Toads and taken to Princess Peach in hopes of finding his brother and rescuing him. But Luigi has been caught by King Koopa, a monstrous war monger who plans to rule the world and marry the Princess, armed with the mythical Super Star that can grant its user invincibility.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is made mainly for kids and potential fans that are just learning to play video games, and it works well in its quick ninety two minute pace, leaving no room for filler. Although the movie is mainly a film about a quest and a massive war, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” moves along steadily. Thankfully it sets up the pair of plumbers and their world well, as well as exploring the dynamic between Peach and Mario, and Bowser’s motivations to rule the world. The writers also place good emphases on their bond, and how much they mean to one another, an element that packs in some wholesome moments.
There are oodles of Easter eggs for the older Millennial gamers that have followed the games religiously. There are references to everything from “Mario Kart,” and “Super Mario 3,” to the original “Donkey Kong” game, as well as “Donkey Kong Country.” Almost every frame and story beat injects some visual or verbal nod to Super Mario lore, and the older audience might enjoy plucking them for good fun. The voice cast also does a darn good job in their respective roles, especially Seth Rogen who is very good as Donkey Kong, while Jack Black is a mix if menacing and funny as King Koopa.
I especially enjoyed Chris Pratt and Charlie Day as the titular brothers, both of whom seem to be having fun in their roles. That said, one grating element was the constant booming eighties soundtrack that blared over key moments. It was a playlist of cliché movie songs that I think would have worked better with an original score in place. In either case, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is fun, it’s funny, and it pays great respect to the source material. That’s good enough for me.