According to Rotten Tomatoes, a near majority of movie critics don't like the Super Mario Bros. movie, and guess what. I don't care.
Even our very own Eric Eisenberg, who I greatly admire and respect, didn't like the movie. And look, I get it. Does the Super Mario Bros. movie have deep character arcs, a compelling narrative, and rich, universal themes? Well, no, not really.
But, is the Super Mario Bros. movie full of recognizable characters, Easter eggs aplenty, and just a fun overall experience? Oh, hell yes. The Super Mario Bros. movie may not be a great movie, but it's the perfect video game movie, and here's why.
Oh, and a sprinkle of light spoilers here or there.
This Movie Was Made For Me!
As an apologist of the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie, I can honestly say that the original movie wasn't made for me. Or at least, it wasn't made for the younger version of me who saw the movie in the theater with his dad.
Truthfully, I don't know who that movie was made for. But, it's only through years of watching mediocre to outright terrible adaptations that led me to put that oddball, and quite frankly, bold movie on my list of the 10 greatest video game films of all time, which I think says more about the garbage that we've had to endure over the years than anything else.
But, while I will admit that I think the first Sonic movie is a better overall flick, I'm overjoyed to admit that the 2023 Super Mario Bros. movie was an overall better movie-going experience. This might be because this was the Mario movie that I always wanted as a child. And, as a man whose inner child needs as many hugs as possible, the Super Mario Bros. movie touched me in ways that I never could have imagined.
From the very first Mario Kart audio cue, I was in. Because this movie truly uses musical and visual cues that any lifelong Nintendo fan will connect with immediately. In that way, the deep cuts feel deeply personal to me. Seeing Glass Joe's face on a wall, or Mario playing Kid Icarus in his room speaks to me in a way that I don't think any other film has ever spoken to me before.
I know the critics have said that the movie is just Easter eggs, but in a lot of ways, those Easter eggs MAKE the movie. This isn't like Transformers or the Ninja Turtles reboots, which warped or changed the characters for a new generation.
This is something else entirely as it's perfectly comfortable with leaning into its source material, from the early '80s all the way to current day, which is why any gamer who's stuck with Mario for all these years will likely be deeply touched by this movie, just like I was.
But It Was Also Made For My Kids
Halfway through the film, my son, who is six, turned to me and said, "This is great!" And yeah, it truly was.
It didn't surprise me that my son loved it as much as I did, and yet, it kind of did. You see, I introduced my two children to Nintendo as early as I could. I have a really cute picture of my daughter playing with a Kirby doll, and my son's second birthday was a Mario-themed party, so my kids are already deeply invested in Nintendo, just like I am.
So, when they showed Bowser's true intentions in the movie, my son said, "Dad! This is just like Super Mario Odyssey!" And, when they had the whole Mario Kart section of the movie, my son said, "Dad! That's the same music in the game!"
And, that’s the thing. This movie pulls from all of Mario's history, so there was really something for every Mario fan in attendance. My only complaint is that there were key characters who were absent that my daughter really wanted to see, but I guess those characters are what the possible sequel will be for.
The Animation Is Gorgeous
I was there for the 8-bit era. I was there for the 16-bit era. I was there for the blocky 64-bit era, the more refined GameCube era, the slightly better looking Wii and Wii U eras, and I'm here for the current Switch era. Hell, I was even there for the black and red Virtual Boy era.
All this is to say that I've been there for every iteration of Mario, and he has never looked this good.
This is important from an animation standpoint, as I actually don't think any animated film has ever looked this good (aside from the upcoming Across the Spider-Verse, which I can't wait for -- have you seen that trailer?!). And, I think this is yet another reason why this movie should be applauded.
It's a new milestone in computer animation, and I can only dream of what a Mario game would be like if it actually looked this good. The Switch 2 (or whatever the next Nintendo console will be) can't get here soon enough!
The Voice Acting Was Incredible
So, it turns out that all the backlash concerning Chris Pratt's voice as Mario turned out to be hogwash. But, what else is new? Chris Pratt did a wonderful job as Mario, as did all of the cast. I loved Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, I loved Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, I loved Charlie Day as Luigi, and I loved, loved, LOVED Jack Black as Bowser. Hell, I was even on board for Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Seth Rogen laugh and all.
And, this is no small feat, as I've known these characters for my entire life. So, if anybody was going to be hard to please, it was me. But, guess what! I was pleased! So, even though the plot was nothing special, the fact that these characters were brought to life in a brand new way (and still felt incredibly faithful to their in-game characters) is worth its weight in gold coins for me.
It Makes Me Excited For Possible Future Nintendo-Related Movies
Last but not least, the Super Mario Bros. movie gets me SUPER pumped for other potential Nintendo movies. I didn't feel this way about the Sonic movies, as I viewed those more in a vacuum, but I definitely feel this way about a future Nintendo universe where we could potentially see The Legend of Zelda, Luigi's Mansion, and (be still, my heart) my beloved Metroid as future movies.
Honestly, the Super Mario Bros. movie succeeded for me since it proved that some of my favorite games of all time could finally have faithful and loving adaptations made about them.
Because it's clear that the people behind the Super Mario Bros. movie are massive fans of the series (I mean, Mario's papa himself, Shigeru Miyamoto, helped with the project). So, the idea of a Star Fox, Pikmin, or an Avengers-level Super Smash Bros. movie with the same love and attention as the Mario movie just fills me with so much joy and hope, you have no idea!
So, yeah. The critics didn't love the Super Mario Bros. movie, but I sure did, and I don't care what the critics think this time around. But, what did you think? For more news on all things Mario, be sure to swing by here often!
FAQs
Why do people hate the Mario movie? ›
One of the odder criticisms the movie has received is that it's overstimulating, both visually and in terms of plot. Critics have gone on the record saying that they feel the movie is overly flashy and colorful, and it made it hard to physically watch at times.
Why was Super Mario Bros movie so bad? ›The production went over schedule and budget, everyone involved were constantly at odds with each other, and the film had nine different writers before shooting even began. Find out how the first video game movie of all time almost became the last, with the messy production history of the Super Mario Bros. movie.
Was the Mario movie a flop? ›'Super Mario Bros.' Movie: How 1993's Flop Made a Future Franchise Possible. Vanity Fair.
Will the Mario movie be for kids? ›Great adventure for the whole family can enjoy! Nothing to be concerned about here at all. I thought it was funny, with a decent plot, fantastic fast paced action, decent dialogue, great voice acting, and great overall music score that took the classic Mario game music to a whole new level.
When was Mario a bad guy? ›Type of Villain
Mario (or Jumpman) is the main protagonist of the 1981 Nintendo game Donkey Kong and the main antagonist of the 1982 Nintendo game Donkey Kong Jr. and 1984 Game & Watch game Donkey Kong Circus.
In all the Mario games, it's implied that Mario is the good guy, and that Bowser and his “minions” are evil.
Will the Mario movie be rated R? ›Rated PG for action and mild violence.
How old is Mario right now? › Is Bowser the bad guy in Mario? ›Bowser is the overarching villain of the entire Mario Bros. franchise.
What is the oldest Super Mario movie? ›Super Mario Bros. (also known as Super Mario Bros.: The Movie) is a 1993 fantasy adventure film based on Nintendo's Super Mario video game series.
What Mario game is worth the most? ›
- (1) Super Mario Bros. — $2,000,000.
- (2) Super Mario 64 — $1,560,000.
- (3) Super Mario World — $360,000.
- (4) Super Mario Bros. 3 — $156,000.
- (5) Mario Bros. — $156,000.
- (6) Super Mario Land — $84,000.
- (7) Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars — $45,600.
- (8) Super Mario Bros.
Top: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Day provide the voices for Mario, Princess Peach and Luigi. Middle: Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, and Seth Rogen voice Bowser, Toad and Donkey Kong.
Who is Mario's kid? ›Baby Mario (originally "baby Mario") is the infant form of Mario who appears as a major character in the Yoshi's Island series. Baby Mario, with Yoshi helping him, is often rescuing his younger brother, Baby Luigi, who is carried off by Kamek in several games.
Does Mario have a daughter? ›Rosalina, as depicted in Mario Party 10, Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars.
Which Mario is best for kids? ›Super Mario Odyssey
If you're specifically looking for a game that your child can play by themselves, Super Mario Odyssey is the perfect choice. Princess Peach has been captured by Bowser, so Mario travels the world to rescue her. On his journey, he'll meet new friends and see new places.
The name "Wario" is a portmanteau of "Mario" with the Japanese adjective warui (悪い) meaning "bad"; hence, a "bad Mario" (further symbolized by the "W" on his hat, an upside down "M"). Official Nintendo lore states that Wario was a childhood rival to Mario and Luigi who became jealous of their success.
Who is Mario evil twin? ›Wario is totally Mario's evil twin.
What is Mario's worst enemy? ›1. Koopa Troopa. No other enemy in the Super Mario franchise is as iconic as the Koopa Troopa, the sewer turtles that serve Bowser, the biggest reptile of them all.
Who is the most loved Mario character? ›Or you, Luigi. Over 87,000 people recently voted in a survey by gaming website Cribbage Online, with the results showing that the most-beloved “Super Mario Bros.” character is none other than the egg-laying, stretchy tongued dinosaur Yoshi.
What gender is Mario? ›| Mario | |
|---|---|
| Alias | Jumpman |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Plumber |
Is Mario 39 years old? ›
Shigeru Miyamoto has publicly stated that the man with the thick mustache is around 24 to 25 years old. Mario has been risking his life to save various princesses since 1985 (if you count his original appearance in Donkey Kong you could argue it's been even longer.)
Can a 4 year old watch a PG movie? ›A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children. Anyone under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
What is PG age? ›PG: PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED. Some material may not be suitable for children. PG-13: PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Who is older Luigi or Mario? ›Created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Luigi is portrayed as the younger fraternal twin brother and sidekick of Mario.
What is Luigi's full name? ›| Luigi | |
|---|---|
| Artwork of Luigi in his appearance for Mario Party Superstars | |
| Full name | Luigi Mario |
| Species | Human |
| First appearance | Mario Bros. (Game & Watch) (1983) |
When it comes down to it, while Mario may be “Jump Man,” it's Luigi who actually has the higher jump. From as early as Super Mario Bros. 2, Luigi has been depicted a far higher jumper than Mario.
Who is Bowser scared of? ›According to Supper Mario Broth, one of these reactions is “scared”. So we now know that Bowser is scared of zombies, skeletons, clowns, pixel art, men made from gold, and a mostly naked Mario.
Who is the bad Luigi? ›Waluigi is a fictional character in the Mario franchise. He plays the role of Luigi's arch-rival and accompanies Wario in spin-offs from the main Mario series, often for the sake of causing mischief and problems.
What animal is Yoshi? ›Yoshi is a fictional dinosaur who appears in video games published by Nintendo.
How much older is Mario than Sonic? ›All the same, at 20 years old, Sonic is easily the younger of the pair, with Mario now due a mid-life crisis tipping the scales at 30. But with age comes wisdom. Whilst Sonic smashes towards everything at lightning speed, Mario will take his time, carefully constructing Bowser's downfall.
Is Mario 50 years old? ›
So when I watched Illumination's new film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, I was shook. There's evidence here that Mario is not actually a middle-aged man. Beyond that, Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto once just came out and said it: Mario is roughly 24 to 25 years old in his original '80s game appearances.
Will Yoshi be in the Mario movie? ›Though we don't get a green Yoshi in a major role in the film, we do get a quick glimpse of some other-colored Yoshis in the flick — and one dinosaur-sized hint of what's to come during a post-credits scene.
Is Mario better than Sonic? ›Mario's determination, strength, and willpower are unlike any human being, though, and given certain circumstances, Mario would easily beat Sonic. This is reliant on his power-ups, power of the elements, and his allies, though, while Sonic doesn't really need anything except his blinding speed.
What is the rarest Nintendo game and watch? ›When sales broke 20 million units, creator Gunpei Yokoi commissioned special edition Donkey Kong Game & Watch pieces to commemorate the achievement. One of those units, which came on the market for the first time, recently sold in an online auction for $9,000—the most paid for a single Game & Watch to date.
What is the rarest Nintendo? ›Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 is considered the rarest Nintendo title to date, considering only one copy exists. In 2009, someone bought the allegedly only copy for $20,100. Nintendo continued its Campus Challenges, and there are allegedly only three Nintendo Campus Challenge 1992 cartridges out there.
Does Mario 64 have Luigi? ›Luigi is a playable character exclusive to Super Mario 64 DS.
Are Luigi and Daisy a thing? ›Trivia. In the live-action film adaption, Daisy is Luigi's girlfriend, thus making the ship canon in the film's universe.
Why was Luigi removed Mario 64? ›While Luigi was originally intended to be in Super Mario 64 alongside its multiplayer mode, he was removed when the mode proved too troublesome for the developers. Despite this, Luigi's influence has seeped into some personalized copies of Super Mario 64.
Who is Mario's real dad? ›Papa Mario is the father of Mario and Luigi, making only a few appearances throughout a variety of media. Papa Mario lives with the brothers' mother, Mama Mario, in all of his appearances, and The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
Who is Mario's old girlfriend? ›The woman kidnapped by DK in the original Donkey Kong was Mario's first love, Pauline. Originally, she was just called "Lady."
Who is Mario's mom? ›
Mama Mario (referred to as Mama and Mama Mia by her children, maiden name Rigassi) is the mother of Mario and Luigi and a recurring minor character in the Mario franchise and its spin-offs, particularly in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, where she was referenced throughout the television series' run and made two ...
Who is Peach's kid? ›| Momotarō | |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Origin | Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
She was originally shorter, but Mario Kart's producer asked the Galaxy devs to make her bigger -- so she could become Mario Kart Wii's first female heavyweight.
Who is Mario's girlfriend? ›Originally, Pauline was known as Lady, and the game introduced her as Mario's girlfriend. The name Pauline was given after the then-girlfriend of Nintendo of America's warehouse manager, Don James.
Is Mario better than Luigi? ›While Luigi may not have the same level of charisma as Mario, he is an excellent sidekick and does everything that Mario does but without the glory.
Is Mario 25 years old? ›what kind of food does he like to eat?” But just the one detail was decided about Mario, he said. “Aside from the fact that he's about 24-25 years old, we didn't define anything else”.
Is Mario abusive to Luigi? ›Though they don't usually interact, Toad often is condescending and mean towards him. However, while Mario tends to abuse Luigi in a physical form, Toad prefers to do so verbally.
Why does Bowser hate Mario so much? ›As revealed in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Bowser and Mario have been archenemies since they were infants. Bowser always wants to beat Mario and greatly dislikes him mainly for taking Princess Peach away from him.
Why is Super Mario World rated T? ›Why is Super Mario World rated T? Controversy. Since electronic media of this nature is moderately violent and may involve crude humor, it is generally targeted for an adolescent audience. Many video game companies, including Nintendo, publish quite a number of titles with this rating.
Who is smarter Mario or Luigi? ›According to Supper Mario Broth on Twitter, The original Mario Party manual states that Luigi is smarter than Mario. While we all knew this already, it's nice to finally receive some canon evidence of this.
What is the most kid friendly Mario game? ›
Super Mario Odyssey is one of the best exclusive Nintendo Switch games and it's also perfect for children. This universe-roaming adventure is bursting with excitement and innovation, with Mario exploring varied worlds to uncover secrets and collect stars.
What kills Bowser? ›To defeat Bowser, Mario must take the Mecha-Koopas that Bowser threw at him and throw them up so that they hit Bowser (as he is flying around in his Koopa Clown Car). Mario will take damage if he touches the propeller blade of the clown car.
What turns Bowser into a girl? ›'Princess Koopa'), is a fan-made, moe anthropomorphized and gender-swapped version of the Mario franchise character Bowser, in which he is transformed by the Super Crown power-up to resemble the franchise character Princess Peach.
What kind of animal is Yoshi? ›Described as either a dinosaur or dragon, Yoshis are four-limbed bipedal animals with a tail which have a shell-like saddle and a chameleon-like tongue. They have four digits on each hand and feet which resemble boots (which they are born with).
How old is Mario meant to be? ›In a 2005 interview, Miyamoto stated that Mario's physical age was about 24–25 years old, and Nintendo Power stated that his birthday is October 11.
What age limit is Super Mario? ›Rated PG for action and mild violence.