Film Review - "The Super Mario Bros. Movie"

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic

Starring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, and Jack Black

I really don't understand movie critics sometimes. Why are we tearing down a film that's based off an over forty-year-old video-game franchise, where an Italian plumber, goes off to rescue a princess, from an evil turtle? A "thinly plotted animated adventure". Did you really expect to walk out of here forever changed, emotionally rocked to your core at the Pixar level? Anyway The Super Mario Bros. Movie is goddamn delightful and it gave me the biggest smile I've had in theaters for awhile.

Mario and Luigi (Pratt and Day) are two Italian-American brothers in Brooklyn struggling to get their plumbing business off the ground. One night when they go into the underground to fix a water leak, they get sucked down a Warp Pipe into another dimension. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, and Luigi in the Dark Lands, which are ruled by King Bowser (Black). Bowser is determined to marry Princess Peach (Taylor-Joy) and will destroy the Mushroom Kingdom if she refuses. Mario teams up with Peach to save his brother and the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser and his army.

Simple but effective is the best way to describe this film. It knows its source material and speaks its truth. This was a Mario video-game come to life in the best way. The film wastes no time in explaining power-ups or Koopas or Rainbow Roads. It just goes "No. This is the world of a video-game. Deal with it. Let's-a-go." The animation is spectacular, and probably some of Illumination's best. They stay close to the style of the games and all the characters look amazing. The set pieces are gorgeous and filled with vibrant colors. It's a true feast for the eyes. 

There's so many Easter eggs and visual nods to the games. You have to watch this film in slow motion to catch them all. One particular scene where Mario and Luigi are rushing to a job-site and its framed like a level on the games is so much fun, the sequence where the characters drive on Rainbow Road triggered me in ways I didn't know possible (Mario Kart!!), and I won't spoil it but the ringtone on Luigi's cellphone put such a stupid smile on my face. 

I know I said this film is "simple but effective" and no one should expect a Pixar-level narrative here, but the film does have a lot of heart, especially when it comes to the relationship of Mario and Luigi. You really believe these two brothers love and care for one another. It's unfortunate that they're apart for most of the film. But at the same time you sympathize with Mario's own character journey. It's basic Joseph Campbell, hero-journey stuff. He dreams of a better life, he's called to action, and he's given the opportunity to be a part of something bigger, to be something greater. I might get shot for this but in some ways its structure isn't that different from the original Star Wars!

Really all the characters in the film are wonderful, and now's a good time to transition into the voice-acting. I think when this cast was announced a lot of people were worried, especially about Chris Pratt. Honestly though he was pretty good. We shouldn't be totally surprised this isn't his first animated film*. There's a lot of surprising subtly to his Mario. I completely understand them not going hard on the Italian accent. It's the same with John Mulaney and Andy Samberg voicing Chip and Dale. Hearing their original stylized voices over an extended period of time could get kind of grating.

Charlie Day was super fun as Luigi. Seth Rogen, despite giving his very distinctive voice to an animated character for like the twelfth time, is a really good Donkey Kong, and I love the reluctant friendship he has with Pratt's Mario here. They play off each other so well. Keegan-Micheal Key is a real scene-stealer as Toad. Anya Taylor-Joy is sweet and charming as Princess Peach. The real MVP of the film though is Jack Black as Bowser. This is one of the best villain performances in animation ever. You can tell he is just having so much fun behind the mic being completely over-the-top evil.

One thing that brought this film down for me was its jukebox soundtrack. It relies way too much on popular hits from the 70s and 80s, which is a shame because there's so much rich music from the video games they could've adapted (or in some cases did adapt and then cut in favor of using a popular song). I've said this before but one too many "needle drop" moments can really take you out of the viewing experience. Let's all agree to not use "Holding Out For A Hero" in film anymore. This was the second instance in one month. Don't use AC/DC you're just asking us to remember Iron Man. Also..."Take On Me" by A-Ha? Just compose your own music! 

Maybe the majority of the critics out there didn't play Mario video-games growing up, or just forgot to have fun with a film. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a real treat for audiences young and old, no matter how much you did or didn't play the games. I was never a big gamer but this film brought me so much joy with its simple story, wonderful characters, and dazzling animation. This is another mark in the win column for Illumination as far as I'm concerned.

But please...can we just let the "Peaches" song go for a little bit? Before the Academy decides to have Jack Black perform it in costume at next year's Oscars?

*Do not come for me I wasn't originally sold on The Lego Movie and now I love it.