Review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) by Ninteldritch — 13 Apr 2023

Don't listen to the critics (mostly). A movie doesn't need to have the deepest story to be good. First of all, the characters. Illumination and Nintendo actually did a phenomenal job here. The two basically main characters of the film are Mario and Peach, who are completely transformed from their game counterparts, going from characters whose essentially only personality traits were "heroic" and "kind," respectively, to characters who have surprising depth (It's nothing crazy, but definitely a big improvement). All the other characters were great too, except for Spike. They turned everyone's favorite fictional foreman into just some generic Illumination guy. Truly an L (for "Luigi left your business"). Mario and Luigi's relationship is also adorable. Next, the voice acting. There was a lot of prerelease apprehension for how Chris Pratt would do as Mario, but he actually nailed it. All the other voices are great, as well. Except maybe Cranky. He sounds real weird. Not that they had much to go on from the games, mind. The art style and animation are gorgeous. Musical score is great, with lots (I think the composer said over 100!) of references to famous themes from the games. Lots of other Easter eggs too! The overall plot, while fairly simple, is very well done. One thing I really liked in specific was that Bowser is presented as a real threat this time. The only real problem I have with the movie besides Foreman Spike is that it does move a little quickly in the first half (one thing the critics did get right), but overall the movie is incredible. Sorry if I droned on a bit!

ALSO BOWSER SINGS A FREAKING ROCK BALLAD, THIS MOVIE IS GREAT.

9/10 overall (overall? Get it? Because they wear - never mind.