The highly anticipated Super Mario Bros movie hit cinemas in the UK this month on April 5th. As a huge fan of the original game, I decided to see if the film lived up to the hype and shared any resemblance.
The film’s run time is 1 hour 32 minutes, making it an easy watch that is packed full of action and adventure. However, as an adult viewer, I would say that the film has pitfalls - the main being that the plot is very basic. It follows the story of brothers Mario and Luigi, who have recently set up their own plumbing business in New York. They have not received much business and begin to doubt their abilities when they see a breaking news story that there has been a plumbing disaster across the city. Determined to become heroes, Mario and Luigi set off on a life-changing journey to save New York. It is here that we see the influence of the original game, as Mario and Luigi enter a magical pipe that takes them to the Mushroom Kingdom, and on a mission to save Princess Peach from Bowser. Here we are introduced to the well-known characters Toad, Cranky Kong, and Donkey Kong.
To children, this is a plot that is easy to follow and understand. But as an adult, it is lacking in substance, and we are left wanting more than the basic plot of saving a damsel in distress. It would have been more interesting to see the Super Mario Bros take on the different worlds and the challenges within them as opposed to saving the Princess in New York City. Nonetheless, for the older generations watching the movie, there are many scenes that pay tribute to the original game, as well as the spin-off games. For example, there is a scene based on Mario Kart, where the characters build their own karts and take on the formidable ‘Rainbow Road’. It also pays homage to Super Mario Galaxy through the character Lumalee, who also appeals to an older audience with her brief humorous appearances and dark jokes that children would fail to understand.
My final take on the movie is that if you are an avid Super Mario Bros fan or have played any of the Mario games, then it is definitely worth a watch. It is a great opportunity for the older generations to reminisce on their childhood, whilst taking younger siblings or children to a film that will be equally as entertaining for them. However, if you have no understanding of the Super Mario Bros then I would suggest giving this a miss. The plot may be too basic and therefore come across as boring and childlike. Overall, the film is decent with a great cast, with Chris Pratt standing out in particular for his humorous take on Mario, as well as Seth Rogen shining through as Diddy Kong.