Review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) by Htaed1239 — 16 May 2023

I'm truly conflicted. (watched on Amazon Prime).

Cinematography: Visuals are literal eye candy, although there is a lack of diversity that causes it to become paradoxically bland 1/4th into the film. The palette is shockingly narrow. Some scenes have a lot of detail, but they don't remain on screen for too long. The "magic world" doesn't have as much texture detail as the "real world". Some visuals are 100/100 - but the whole package due to lack of diversity gets a 60/100 - by the end of the movie the visuals are tired - don't want to watch another movie like this ever again tragically.

Story: There is no real story, characters are one dimensional - especially peach - the plot is so mind numbingly basic and crammed together. I think what bothers me the most is that it isn't how I imagined these characters at all or the story of the games. The movie doesn't take itself seriously.

Casting: I think the most disappointing thing was that Jack Black and Seth Rogan broke immersion by inserting tenacious D and pineapple express moments - not once but continuously. Donkey Kong has an obnoxious Seth Rogan stoner laugh, Bowser is Jack Black with an attitude. Again the movie doesn't take itself seriously.

Overall: Very short movie, crammed together, vapid, visually stunning at first but by the end nauseating and bland; leaves an odd dissatisfaction/void at the end that is even commented on by the movie itself. Only some cool visuals every few minutes and homages to the games hold this together, but otherwise is a complete rainbow mess that doesn't take itself seriously. I was holding out hope until the ending; would've given it an 8 out of 10 - but the way it ended - 4 out of 10.

"Dissatisfying".