Here’s a bit of movie trivia: Illumination Entertainment’s cinematic release of “The Super Mario Bros Movie” actually has a predecessor.
In 1993, the classic video-game series was adapted into a feature film starring the late Bob Hoskins, the late Dennis Hopper, and then-newcomer John Leguizamo.
If you’re wondering why it took 30 years for another “Super Mario” movie, you can blame that live-action flop. Made with a budget of US$48 million, it earned back less than half that amount. Critics panned it just as much as audiences avoided it.
Nintendo, the creators of “Super Mario”, was understandably apprehensive thereafter of any cinematic attempt at depicting the moustachioed Italian plumber and his lankier brother.
Three decades down the line, though, it appears their caution has paid off. “The Super Mario Bros Movie” is certainly a commercial success, even if critical reception is mixed.
This new animated feature follows the Brooklyn-based siblings Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), who end up being transported to another world by accident.
Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, where he gets starstruck by the gorgeous, butt-kicking Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy).
Luigi, on the other hand, is not so lucky as he winds up in the ominously named Dark Lands, ruled by the evil Bowser (Jack Black).
As it happens, Bowser is seeking world domination as well as the hand of Princess Peach in marriage… and he doesn’t take “no” for an answer.
Determined to save both his brother and the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario must overcome the odds and defeat the all-powerful conqueror.
If the plot sounds incredibly simple, that’s because it is – and, accordingly, the film boasts a relatively short runtime of 90 minutes.
If you’re looking for a complex story with unexpected twists and deeper themes, look elsewhere: not every film should aspire to be the next “Lord of the Rings”, least of all one that features jumping plumbers going up against a fire-breathing turtle.
The straightforward storyline is possibly a reflection of the simplicity of the video game’s plot. You have Mario, and sometimes Luigi, overcoming levels of obstacles with the ultimate aim of saving Princess Peach from Bowser. And that’s really it.
That said, one thing that truly impresses this reviewer is the fact that, for an Illumination Entertainment product, the film legitimately looks good.
The chaps behind the Minions are known in the industry for their cost-cutting measures, and tend to do little in the way of pushing the boundaries of animation.
Here, however, the studio appears to have stepped up its game, creating a slickly creative and colourful world that diehard “Super Mario” fans will appreciate.
Then there’s the matter of voice acting. There were concerns that the very American Chris Pratt would not be appropriate for the very Italian Mario.
Funnily enough, the distinctive Italian accent is only present at the start of the film, as part of a TV commercial made by Mario and Luigi for their plumbing business.
Otherwise Pratt does an acceptable job – nothing amazing, but nothing to cringe at, either. The same goes for Taylor-Joy and Day.
Black, on the other hand, is clearly having the time of his life playing an evil character – not something he does very often – and he fires on all cylinders!
All in all, is “The Super Mario Bros Movie” worth a watch? For kids, definitely. For fans, certainly. For average moviegoers… well, at least the popcorn’s good.
As of press time, ‘The Super Mario Bros Movie’ is screening in cinemas nationwide.