The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is a giant nostalgic trip on the big screen, where viewers can relive their childhood and leave their adult burdens at the door.
In the film, we find our hero Mario, voiced by Chris Pratt, and his sometimes helpless brother Luigi, voiced by Charlie Day, being sucked into a warp pipe as they explore the sewers in Brooklyn. The odyssey unfolds with Mario searching for Luigi in a mysterious new world. He must find the courage within himself to become the hero needed to save the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser’s diabolical plan to marry Princess Peach and rule all the kingdoms with an iron fist.
The Illumination Entertainment animated film is a don’t blink or you’ll miss it feast. With throwbacks and Easter eggs from past Nintendo video games and even those old enough to remember The Super Mario Brothers Super Show.
The all-star cast is firing on all cylinders. Jack Black seems to be having the most fun in his role voicing Bowser. Pratt is fine as the voice of Mario and they do away with the Italian accent in a clever way.
At the heart of the film is a message about family and not giving up no matter of the odds. Luigi has the biggest character arc in the film and it’s paid off in the climax of the film when both Mario brothers save both Brooklyn and the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser.
While many may say the lack of story shortchanges the film, there’s more than enough here that packs a punch. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is one of the best video game adaptions to date and levels up the genre.
