After the disaster that was the 1993 live-action film version of the hit Nintendo game ‘Super Mario Brothers’, Nintendo were- understandably- put off from doing any more film adaptations of their properties. Instead, they concentrated on what they did best; video games. That was until thirty years later with the surprise announcement of another Mario film.
After what happened back in 1993, fans were understandably nervous. They had some hope though; it was to be produced by Universal Studios and Illumination. Illumination is well known for the popular ‘Minions’ films and I’ve never heard of Illumination do a bad film so all of that was in the new animated Mario film’s favour.
The story starts off with an invasion from Bowser (Jack Black) in the Penguin’s ice lands. The Penguins try to fight back Bowser who is after the Super Star; a power-up that gives the user invincible power. The Penguins are no match for him and he melts their castle, getting the Super Star as he does so.
Meanwhile in Brooklyn, there is a throw-back for audience members over a certain age; a commercial on TV for Super Mario Bros. plumbing is on. Mario (Chris Pratt) and his twin brother Luigi (Charlie Day) are excited about finally seeing themselves on TV but their ex-boss Foreman Spike is laughing at them. Spike is mocking their advert and saying that they’ll never get anywhere.
Luigi- who is always nervous and afraid- is hesitant about arguing with Spike but Mario steps in defending his brother as he’s always done. It is then that Luigi’s phone rings; they’ve gotten their first client. Thrilled, they immediately set off, leaving behind a stunned Spike.
Their first clients happen to be a wealthy couple…which makes Luigi even more nervous as he ends up accidentally stepping on their dog’s favourite toy. The dog isn’t happy and ends up chasing the brothers around the bathroom as they try to fix the pipe.
After the film was released, fans praised ‘Super Mario Bros’ to the high heavens…whilst the “critics” hated on it (most likely they were paid by Disney to write bad reviews for it). I also really enjoyed it when I was finally able to watch it.
Everything about this was so much better than the ’93 live-action adaptation (despite me liking that film too).
There was plenty of nostalgia in there for the older Mario fans and there was plenty of references to the modern games too for the younger fans. In short, there was plenty of things to like in this film and very rarely was there anything in it that I didn’t like (I’m going to pretend that that cringy scene with Donkey Kong trying to “re-enact” ‘Gladiator’ doesn’t exist).
I also loved the ‘Mario Kart’ scene towards the end of the film but maybe because Rainbow Road has always been my favourite course in the game! Jack Black steels the show as Bowser and I also really enjoyed Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach.
If you’re a Mario fan you’ll love this film and all the nostalgia that’ll come with it. Also if you’re an older Mario fan who’s unfortunate enough to remember the live-action version, you’ll be pleased to know that this film will make you forget it altogether.
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