The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2023 ★★★☆☆
It seems that Illumination, the studio behind Minions, has achieved what I didn’t think was possible: they’ve transformed one of the most beloved video game franchises into a movie that’s equal parts dazzling and shallow. Sure, it’s shiny, loud, and stuffed with nostalgia, but if you’re expecting depth... well, you’d have better luck finding it in a warp pipe.
The film follows Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), two bumbling Brooklyn plumbers who get sucked into a magical world where things get weird very quickly. Separated upon arrival, Mario ends up in the Mushroom Kingdom under Princess Peach’s rule (Anya Taylor-Joy), while Luigi is stuck in the Dark Lands with Bowser (Jack Black), who is scheming to marry Peach and conquer everything because, well, why not? Along the way, Mario teams up with Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) for some classic video game-inspired antics.
Calling this movie “deep” would be like calling Bowser “misunderstood.” At its core, the movie is about heroism, brotherhood, and finding courage. But don’t expect any meaningful exploration of these ideas. Instead, the film leans hard into fan service—every frame is dripping with references, from the famous Rainbow Road to Donkey Kong’s Cat Suit fight. But beneath the Easter eggs, there’s not much emotional depth, and the story feels more like a setup for the next big action sequence than anything that tugs at your heartstrings.
Visually, the film is a feast, but it’s one of those meals that looks better than it tastes. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic deliver stunning animation—there’s no doubt about that. From the Mushroom Kingdom to the chaotic race on Rainbow Road, the movie is packed with bright colors and kinetic action. But the frenetic pace can feel like being hit with a blue shell: exciting at first, then a bit much after a while. The visual splendor tries to mask the narrative thinness, but it's hard not to notice the story is as flat as a pixelated Goomba.
The voice cast is a mixed bag. Jack Black’s Bowser steals the show with a perfect blend of menace and ridiculousness, but his unrequited love subplot (singing a ballad about Peach, of course) is a tonal misfire that deflates his villainous aura. Chris Pratt’s Mario voice was less cringe-inducing than anticipated, though still somewhat lacking that iconic, "Mamma mia!" charm. Charlie Day’s Luigi is appropriately anxious, and Anya Taylor-Joy gives Peach a little more agency than usual, though she occasionally slips into “girlboss” territory without much substance to back it up. Donkey Kong? Well, Seth Rogen basically plays Seth Rogen, which might pull you out of the experience every time you hear his signature laugh.
At a breezy 92 minutes, the film zips by at Mario Kart speed. While this makes for a quick, fun romp, it also means there’s barely any room to breathe. Scenes rush by so quickly that any emotional stakes evaporate before you can really care. The pacing might work for younger audiences with shorter attention spans, but for anyone hoping for a bit more development—say, a reason to care about Mario’s strained relationship with his father—it all feels like a series of flashy distractions strung together.
As a longtime fan of the games, I couldn’t help but smile at the countless nods to the Mario universe. Seeing the familiar fireball-spitting plants and hearing the iconic theme music tugged at my nostalgia strings in all the right ways. But beyond that? It felt like eating cotton candy—sweet, sure, but gone in an instant, leaving me hungry for more substance. There’s nothing wrong with a fun, flashy kids’ movie, but when it leans too heavily on its references without building much on them, it risks feeling hollow.
Ultimately, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is like the games it’s based on: accessible, easy to digest, and light on plot. Fans of the Mario franchise will undoubtedly enjoy the Easter eggs and vibrant animation, while younger audiences will be swept up by the nonstop action and colorful characters. But if you’re looking for a narrative masterpiece or even a meaningful emotional journey, you might want to grab a mushroom and grow your expectations.
Rating: 3/5 – A fun, visually stunning, yet hollow ride that’s better suited for hardcore Mario fans and kids than anyone looking for depth.
