Screw the critics…this movie is great! Despite the critics being their boring, lame selves by giving this movie a poor score, Super Mario Bros. Movie was a fun, thrilling, and relaxing film that played to its strengths and didn’t take itself too seriously.
You’d think the critics were working for Bowser judging by how low they scored this film.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie lived up to its name as it finally gave Mario and the gang the justice their legendary reputations deserve with a movie that not only presented the audience with a fun, exciting, and enjoyable adventure, but also hit on all its emotional beats. It truly was a good film.
Sure, the plot was rather rudimentary, the cast of characters mostly had limited growth, and the visuals, acting, and tone was garnered towards a younger audience, but that doesn’t make this movie a bad film or one worth derision as the vast majority of critics would have you believe.
Seriously, you’d think this film was as bad as the 1993 live-action Super Mario adaptation with the film’s 57% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes and the numerous 1/5 or 2/5 “Top Critic” scores. Sometimes I really think these movie critics come into every single film, regardless of whether or not its steered towards children, thinking that they’re about to see the next Sophie’s Choice.
And, when said film obviously fails to live up to their unrealistic, baffling, and downright delusional expectations, they rip the film apart and overlook all the subtle nuances and themes this movie is attempting to present to a younger, less experience audience. Not everything has to be as horrific as choosing between one child or the another to die at the hands of the cruel Nazi regime during the height of the Holocaust.
Sometimes, a film can get across the themes of friendship, hope, perseverance, and familial bond through goofy, extraordinary characters, such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser, going on fantastical quests and adventures as adolescence should be all about having fun and learning important lifelong lessons through said films. I truly believe these critics forget that.
Nevertheless, as for the movie itself, it a perfect adaptation of the classic Super Mario Bros. video games.
The challengers, such as avoiding the mushrooms, climbing up walls using levels and panels, racing to the finish line in Mario Karts, etc., were all masterfully portrayed as difficult obstacles that required Mario to persevere, while the characters themselves were great adaptations from the OG games. I really happened to enjoy the trio of Mario, Princess Peach, and Toad as Chris Pratt (Mario), Anna Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), and Keegan Michael-Key (Toad) developed chemistry right from the get-go as Princess Peach and Toad was given a far more active role than in the video games.
Unlike Mario and Luigi (Charlie Day), who are just two plumbers in the Mario world, Princess Peach and Toad, who grew up in the Mushroom Kingdom (which is the setting of the classic video game), served as the mentors to Mario as they understood the gravitas and inner workings of Bowser (Jack Black) and his nefarious plots.
(Nintendo/Universal Pictures-Super Mario Bros. Movie-Official Trailer)
I know some people will not like Mario having a less “heroic” (for lack of a better word) introduction, but having Peach and Toad be the people guiding and explaining the world to Mario (who acts as the conduit the audience sees the film) was a brilliant choice for anyone who hasn’t played the games. Plus, changing the plot to Mario having to save his brother Luigi makes their bond so much stronger than what was portrayed in the video games.
Obviously, the original game is great and rescuing Princess Peach was a worthwhile adventure, but building the connection between Mario and Luigi should better help support each character’s growth and development if sequel films are made.
Nevertheless, like I said in the beginning, this really is just a solid, fun film that doesn’t treat itself too seriously, but also makes sure to give off messages of hope, perseverance, and love to the greater audience. Super Mario Bros. Movie gets a solid 7.5/10 from me.
Oh, and I’m glad the rest of the public agrees with me as this movie currently has a 7.4/10 review on IMDb and a 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which looks like another video game adaptation success to me!
Images Source: Featured Image: (Nintendo/Universal Pictures) (The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Official Trailer – YouTube)
In Text Image 1: (Nintendo/Universal Pictures) (The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Official Trailer – YouTube)
