![]() I've seen criticism of the animation being low-effort and I couldn't disagree more. Technically speaking, Illumination's efforts to bring the Mushroom Kingdom to life is a noteworthy achievement. Movie also suffers from a lack of visual variety. That's not to say some of these themes and more aren't in the movie, they're just heavily cast aside for licensed music and it's increasingly more frustrating when you hear just how good these original compositions sound. 2? Jump Up, Super Star! from Super Mario Odyssey? Nah – here's Take on Me by A-ha and Thunderstruck by AC/DC instead. What about the Overworld Theme from Super Mario Bros. When you think of famous Mario themes, perhaps the Ground Theme from Super Mario Bros. ![]() Even the enjoyable aspects are somehow overshadowed by questionable decisions such as the film's excessive reliance on the greatest hits from the 80s. However, not even my wistful expectations of reliving my childhood memories were met, becoming desensitized by the film's inability to find creative ways to incorporate Mario's iconography. I'm all for a nostalgia trip when done considerately, it's largely why I placed this film on my most anticipated films of this year. Movie is severely lacking an identity, a lesson, or a message that resonates with the audience, failing to distinguish itself from anything other than nostalgia bait. The script has as much nuance as you'd expect from the writer of Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son. The setting for the story only transpires over a handful of different biomes, failing to make use of Mario's iconic backlog of traversed landscapes. Mario and Luigi's arcs are relatively nonexistent, haphazardly attempting to create emotional conflicts that are soon forgotten. Straying from this blueprint isn't necessary as it serves as a decent foundation for the narrative, however, nothing is added to add meat to these dry bones. Luigi is separated from his brother and eventually captured by Bowser, setting in motion Mario's world-warping journey to save his brother and protect the Mushroom Kingdom and its inhabitants. The film follows the classic Mario formula precisely. When an integrant of the whole fails to counterbalance what is inherently lacking, those deficiencies become more glaring. Similarly for a film, narratives can be elevated by their thematic elements. What lacks in story is substituted for innovative gameplay mechanics, memorable level design, and indelible art direction. It has about as much depth as any mainline Mario game, which is unfortunately a longstanding detractor from the series. Movie ultimately falls short, providing a bare-bones story devoid of compelling conflicts, character depth, or thematic layers. There's enjoyment to be had with this film for even the most lambasted moviegoer.ĭespite the occasional flourish, The Super Mario Bros. Brian Tyler and Koji Kondo work wonders bringing to life iconic Mario themes that span multiple decades. Of the relatively uninspired voice acting, Jack Black's minacious attempt at voicing Bowser was appreciated, making Bowser a standout character with his portentous, yet baleful attitude. Some of the set pieces mirror their in-game counterparts, particularly a 2D side-scrolling race between Mario and Luigi in the first third of the film that perfectly encapsulates each respective character's abilities and traits. The brotherly bond is the anchor of the film and is handled as well as it can be given the truncated runtime. The film opens with a quirky infomercial of the inseparable brother's inefficacious plumbing business, highlighting Mario and Luigi's aspirations of becoming a desirable alternative to the plumbing service they just recently defected from. Movie does have some commendable components. Subjectivity aside, The Super Mario Bros. ![]() In a world where The Lego Movie, Inside Out, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse exist, the term "just for kids" shouldn't be an excuse for an animated film to lack engrossing voice acting, visual variety, euphoric compositions, and a multifaceted narrative. ![]() Nonetheless, I was chain-chomping at the bit to rekindle my juvenescent soul inside my coarsened interior only to witness a half-baked attempt at nostalgia bait without any resemblance of depth or nuance. This fondness for those adolescent years will always be cosseted in retrospect, however, I find it increasingly more difficult to replicate those wonderful years as my interests mature and my childhood fascinations lessen. Melee, Mario Kart Double Dash, and Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door built the foundation for my adulation and appreciation for video games. Luigi's Mansion, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros. One of my most cherished memories is receiving a Nintendo GameCube bundled with Super Mario Sunshine on the Christmas of 2002. Nintendo and I have had a diverting relationship through the years. ![]()
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