THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (2023)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie boasts a stellar voice cast and stunning animation in an otherwise rushed, boring film that will likely play well with children and diehard fans, but leave the majority unsatisfied.

As Bowser (voiced by Jack Black) attempts to conquer the world and wed Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy), unlikely hero and struggling plumber Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) seeks to not only stop the reptilian menace, but save his brother Luigi (voiced by Charlie Day), as well. Seeing these characters on screen in such beautiful artistry is remarkable, even as the rest of the film simply is not. From the jump we’re met with familiar song choices that have appeared in Dreamworks and Illumination films prior (we’re always “Holding Out For A Hero”), providing the soundtrack to lethargic humor and basic storytelling. When the original score kicks in and transforms the well-know Super Mario Bros. theme song in a variety of ways, however, it’s hard not to smile. The film hits the ground running and wastes no time in getting to the core of the plot, speed that does not slow down and results in an unnecessary rush.

There are Easter eggs aplenty here, more likely to be identified on repeat watches, but just as quickly as they come and go, so do the more blatant references. The Super Mario Bros. Movie simply doesn’t spend enough time developing what it is putting on screen, focusing instead on quality over quantity. It’s a disservice to the animators and the talented voice cast; Pratt’s non-Mario voice is addressed early and satisfactorily, his performance throughout quite good. The standouts are certainly Taylor-Joy and Seth Rogen, the former adding more dimension to Princess Peach (even in light of a very awkward plot angle in the potential marriage to bowser) while the latter was born to voice the hilarious and appealing Donkey Kong.

Relying on recognizable IP is understandable and bringing it to the big screen is exciting, but a more fleshed-out start to what will likely be a franchise would have reached a wider audience. The film will still likely set the box office aflame, but whether the appetite for a sequel and spin-offs will likely be more muted than Illumination desired.

I still prefer the 1993 film, for what it’s worth. Creativity and ridiculous fun? Sign me up.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie hits theaters tomorrow.

Rating: 2/5