It really isn’t a surprise the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” made a huge pile of cash in its first weekend at the box office.
It might be surprising for some to hear the movie had the second-strongest opening weekend for an animated feature on record and has had the highest-grossing opening weekend of a film this year – something Disney has likely taken note of. What might be most surprising is the film is an enjoyable view of a world that has mostly existed in the realm of video games.
From a story perspective, the movie’s plot is about as barebones as it can be. Brothers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are struggling plumbers in Brooklyn who find themselves whisked away to a fantasy world filled with evil turtles, talking mushroom people and power-ups that bestow magical abilities. Luigi gets captured by Bowser (Jack Black), King of the Koopas, and Mario sets off with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she embarks on a mission to save the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser.
While the story works for a movie aimed at children and families, it feels rushed in places as the movie attempts to quickly get to the next eye-catching scene. This is especially noticeable during the film’s second act, where the movie quickly shifts from Mario battling Donkey Kong (Seth Rogan), to a battle involving the Kongs and Bowser’s minions on Mario Kart’s Rainbow Road, then back to the Mushroom Kingdom in time for Bowser to usher in the third act and his bid to take over the kingdom.
The performances from the cast are great, though Black steals the show as Bowser with an over-the-top performance that shifts between menacing conqueror and goofball romantic. A musical scene featuring Bowser at a piano, singing a ridiculous song cowritten by Black that only he could convincingly perform, seals Black as one of the best parts of the film. Taylor-Joy’s turn as Peach is also a highlight, portraying a princess filled with confidence who isn’t in need of being rescued.
For viewers who grew up during the height of Mario-mania in the late 80s and early 90s, the film is a basket filled with Easter eggs and references to not just the Super Mario games, but Nintendo’s history as a development studio. Some references, such as Mario playing “Kid Icarus” on a Nintendo Entertainment System or cameos by Charles Martinet, who is Nintendo’s voice actor for Mario and other Super Mario characters, might be easy for most people to pick out. Other references, like the opening theme to the 1989 television program “Super Mario Bros. Super Show” or the Punch-Out! Pizzeria featured early in the film might get missed by people who weren’t there for Nintendo’s heyday in the 1980s. There are even deeper references that would likely get missed by everyone but the most knowledgeable Nintendo fans. However, the film never makes having more than a basic familiarity with Mario’s world a requirement to enjoy it.
Those fans are clearly one of the target demographics of the “Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Yes, it’s aimed at children and families, but welcomes the folks who sunk quarters into a Donkey Kong machine in the early 80s, struggled getting through World 8-2 in “Super Mario Bros.” or gleefully stole first place after launching the dreaded blue shell at a friend during a Mario Kart race. While it isn’t hard to see where the film could have been improved with a deeper story or better pacing, none of that really matters. The “Super Mario Bros. Movie” is a light-hearted and fun flick that is filled to the brim with fan service. At this point, the only surprise remaining is when the inevitable sequel will be announced.
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