Mario is back and better than ever. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives in theaters three years after its predecessor became the highest-grossing video game adaptation. The majority of the cast returns to voice adored characters from the last forty-five years of the franchise.
Picking up immediately where The Super Mario Bros. Movie left off, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) is seeking revenge on Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario (Chris Pratt), and Luigi (Charlie Day) for defeating, shrinking, and imprisoning his father, Bowser (Jack Black). The next step in his plan is to capture Rosalina (Brie Larson) in order to use her to power weaponry his father dreamed of.
Princess Peach and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) follow the request of a sacrificial Luma and unknowingly begin a rescue mission for Rosalina. This leads Mario, Luigi, and recently saved Yoshi (Donald Glover) to follow in support. Even with the help of a few unexpected allies, they struggle to chase down Bowser Jr. and his army. The potential battle could decide the power dynamics of the entire galaxy.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie moves quickly and doesn’t linger on most plot points for very long. Any viewer that missed the first film has time to catch up with a few directly stated references. And you won’t feel out of the loop for very long as the fun and lightheartedness begins immediately. Full of callbacks to the first movie that repeat viewers will love, there are also plenty of references to the franchise’s various iterations across multiple games and systems.
The largest crowd response often came from the playful use of animation styles amid the film’s traditional CGI. The film cleverly uses a blend of classic CGI, paired with a unique, generated style that’s flat and has minimal gloss, along with a few other nostalgic call backs. One sequence is even reminiscent of 80s and 90s anime. Each of these moments lands well through a mix of nostalgia, surprise, and genuine commitment to the playfulness the franchise is becoming known for.
One of more uninteresting aspects of the film might be the voice acting, which heavily relies on American celebrity, likely in order to entice foreign audiences. It’s difficult to find a standout here, so similar to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Toad and Bowser are tied for strongest performance. New comer Safdie holds his own and definitely allows the audience to get lost in Bowser Jr. antics. Most of the additional cast, both new and old, is fairly recognizable. Hopefully future installments will use more traditional voice actors to support the adventures.
Some audiences may want a little more time on certain planets or with new characters, such as Yoshi or Rosalina. It’s fairly clear the intent is to maximize time in order to continue world building. The story checks boxes off and moves on, which will likely lead to repeat viewings or merely the one. Regardless, the storyline is just enough tread to keep you interested without being overbearing. This leaves plenty of opportunity and potential for a third outing and even spinoffs. A dream scenario would be a Super Smash Bros. film or at least a battle in a future Mario movie.
As the industry begins to shift into Summer blockbuster mode, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is clearly the first entry, and just in time for Spring Break. This family film is the perfect blend of nostalgia, modern animation techniques, and entertainment. 8-bit fans will love it just as much as their children and grandkids. Prepare for Nintendo and Illumination to dominate the box office again.
