But a lot has changed in 30 years. Not only are video game adaptations making greater strides, but Nintendo felt an itch again. What if they could take a stab at another film, made by people who love and respect the series? Enter Chris Meledandri, whose animation company Illumination - best known for the Despicable Me series - impressed Nintendo so much, they've dusted off the overalls for a new Super Mario Bros. Movie, and likely the first of a new franchise.
In Brooklyn, brothers Mario and Luigi (Chris Pratt and Charlie Day, respectively) launch a struggling plumbing business, and while attempting to fix a broken water main, are sucked through a portal and separated in a new world. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, while Luigi lands in the Dark Lands, presided over by the tyrannical Koopa King Bowser (Jack Black), who intends to take dominion over the kingdom. Teaming up with Mushroom Kingdom's ruler, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and adventurous sidekick Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), Mario sets off on a mission to save his brother, and stop Bowser's destructive conquest.
One credit in The Super Mario Bros. Movie stands out to me, and that's Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, sharing a producer's credit with Meledandri. On one hand, this is a no brainer, and the source material's original creator serving as a consultant promises faithfulness to its spirit. That said, given how famously gameplay-focused Miyamoto is, to the point of sparse story in his games, it also threatens to feel cookie cutter and safe, which is what it ends up being. While the film itself is fun, there's not much of substance to it as a story.
It isn't an inherently bad thing to be so skimp on story in a Mario movie, where the most context the games would give you was "giant lizard kidnapped a princess, go stop him." As such, Illumination probably seemed like the perfect fit, given their strength is slapstick and set-pieces rather than story. And the set-pieces themselves are the star of the show, particularly for their adherence and fond tribute to the series, highlighted immediately by a sequence where Mario and Luigi have to run to make a plumbing gig, shot in a side scrolling angle that directly recalls the original game. The action and the chase scenes are so much fun on their own, ranging from Super Smash Bros. inspired arena combat, to a Mad Max style Mario Kart race on Rainbow Road.
Of course, for the set-pieces to excel depends on the animation, and full stop, this is the best looking Illumination movie ever. Famously, they make their films for modest price tags, but whether by a budget increase or more artistic risks, they've considerably stepped up their game. The world of Mario is absolutely gorgeous, a distinct and vibrant world of color and mesmerizing detail, with wonderfully stylized character designs, and even genuinely inventive camera work. The film makes extensive use of long takes and tracking shots, which give you a refreshing sense of geography, and feels like a gleeful play session brought to life. Illumination's powers really come to a head on Rainbow Road, which is the most breathtaking sequence they've ever conjured, putting their squash and stretch style, and their fast paced eccentricity to maximum effect.
It's no surprise, given this is made by Mario fans, that the film is littered with Easter eggs of every variety, but those would hog a review on their own, so I won't say much more. What I will say is that sharp eared viewers should take note of Brian Tyler's score, not simply because it's fantastic, but it's a gushing love letter to the original themes of Koji Kondo... and a few other friends.
But with all that being said, as fun as the film is, the story itself is still an issue. This is an easily accessible movie, regardless if you're a Mario fan or not, but in order for it to be so, what story it does put forward feels very generic. I'm not looking for watertight plotting in a Mario movie, but I feel like it should have more invention in the transition. It's different for a game, where the lack of story is offset by the fun you have controlling Mario. It's different for a movie, where we're more of a passive observer, and we need more of an emotional stake to remain engaged.
What's weird is that the Mario movie tries to have these emotional stakes, but at some point, they get brushed aside to get back to the set-pieces. The heart of the movie is meant to be Mario and Luigi's brotherhood, which has caused some division within his family back in Brooklyn. This is all sweet, but through much of the second act, it feels like this emotional anchor gets relegated to the background. That highlights some pacing issues for me as well, as while this is an airtight movie, it can also feel rushed to the point of breathlessness. The plot basically exists to facilitate the action and the references, and while I would be ok with this, I would like it if it weren't getting in the way of character development, as a lot of the central players do feel 2-dimensional.
If there's anything giving them life, however, it is the voice cast. Say what you will about Chris Pratt's initial announcement as Mario... the rewards of his casting paid off. I wouldn't say he's stretching himself beyond his comical Brooklyn accent, but he does well at embodying the everyman spirit and whimsy of the character, and his chemistry with the other cast proves a huge plus. That said, Charlie Day's Luigi is the real scene stealer of the two, whose quivering nervousness and compassionate sweetness is utterly charming. It's just a shame that after the first act, Luigi kind of gets pushed to the sidelines, infrequently reappearing until he's paired back up with his brother.
Anya Taylor-Joy makes a big impact as Princess Peach, showing this character in a more spirited fashion than prior versions, whose tender chemistry with Mario, seasoned wit and determination, and heartfelt compassion make her an endearing figure. Elsewhere, Keegan-Michael Key is another scene stealer as Toad, who caters to kids without feeling like he's talking down to them, and his infectious bursts of energy and humor, as well as his touching loyalty make him a standout. If anything, Seth Rogen's Donkey Kong might be the weak link, as not only do I think Donkey Kong is not well served as a character, including a rivalry with Mario that I feel like he never properly overcomes, but it just feels like... well, another one of Seth Rogen's voiceovers.
That said, the real star here is Jack Black's Bowser. His ferocious voiceover dominates the film when he steps on screen, and it's obvious he's enjoying every second of it, getting to chew on the dialogue with ham and menace, as well as side-splitting humor. Bowser actually has motivation for his invasion, that being he's lovestruck by Peach, and a lot of his best gags come from his nervousness over his crush, offset by his jealousy and tyrannical nature. Honestly, he may be the most game loyal translation, and he owns the film when he is the center of attention.
As far as The Super Mario Bros. Movie goes, I think you'll enjoy it most if you're a die-hard fan of the games, or if you're looking for a pleasant diversion for your kids. I myself saw the film with kids, who enthusiastically enjoyed it. It's hard to deny that I myself enjoyed it, but that being said, and while this is unfair, I'm also at the age where I expect more from my movies, and as a narrative, this movie didn't quite cut it for me. I think it's a solid addition to Illumination's catalogue, and plays to a lot of their strengths, but all in all, I just think it's another passable movie, in a lineup of films almost exclusively comprised of simply passable movies.
That said, who's to know where they go from here? It's clear they and Nintendo are intent on sequels and possible spin-offs, and one could argue that this film walked so others could run, and I'm excited by what else could come of it. As it is now, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is serviceable fun for the whole family. It could just use a couple power-ups.
*** / *****
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