{"id":39411,"date":"2023-04-07T11:54:46","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T15:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=39411"},"modified":"2023-04-07T11:57:33","modified_gmt":"2023-04-07T15:57:33","slug":"the-super-mario-bros-movie-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2023\/04\/07\/the-super-mario-bros-movie-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It\u2019s been about thirty years since Nintendo allowed one of their IP\u2019s 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, \u201cThe Super Mario Bros. Movie\u201d is really quite good, and dare I say one of the best video game movies ever made. As with most IP\u2019s of Mario\u2019s ilk, there was some ballyhoo around casting decisions made for his return, but \u201cThe Super Mario Bros. Movie\u201d comes out looking quite shiny.<\/p>\n

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Set in Brooklyn, Mario and his brother Luigi are trying to start up a new plumbing business. But when they\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Super Mario Bros. Movie\u201d 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, \u201cThe Super Mario Bros. Movie\u201d 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

There are oodles of Easter eggs for the older Millennial gamers that have followed the games religiously. There are references to everything from \u201cMario Kart,\u201d and \u201cSuper Mario 3,\u201d to the original \u201cDonkey Kong\u201d game, as well as \u201cDonkey Kong Country.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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 clich\u00e9 movie songs that I think would have worked better with an original score in place. In either case, \u201cThe Super Mario Bros. Movie\u201d is fun, it\u2019s funny, and it pays great respect to the source material. That\u2019s good enough for me.<\/p>\n