The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Dirs: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc, Fabien Polack

(voice cast) Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Kevin Michael Richardson, Khary Payton, Sebastian Maniscalco, Charles Martinet.

In an alternate universe, Koopa King Bowser (Black) has finally found the Super Star, and plans to marry the human like Princess Peach (Taylor-Joy), and destroy her Mushroom Kingdom. With only days before he arrives, Peach decides to ask the Kong Army, headed by the leader Cranky to assist her.

Mario is a plumber from New York City, who along with brother Luigi just started their own business. When trying to save a neighborhood from a flood, they instead find themselves in Peach’s universe. Separated, Mario joins Peach to both help her with her quest, and find Luigi and save him, as he has been taken prisoner by Bowser.

Fans of the game may have had some trepidation going into this film due to a couple of variables. One, this is the first film since the 1993 live action movie, and secondly, the choice of Chris Pratt to voice Mario.

This is a MUCH better film that the 1993 version, and this time around the characters we saw when we played, are present as we played them, or saw them on our screens. It brought back such nostalgia to see all the characters for me, some of them I had almost completely forgotten.

I personally did not have an issue with Pratt’s performance as Mario – I was not blown away by the performance either, it simply ‘existed’. The standouts were Taylor-Joy whose American accent sounds flawless. Best performance goes to Black as Bowser (and his haunting rendition of Peaches). He brings a legitimately terrifying performance.

The story was okay, and easy enough to follow. There were some obligatory ‘forced antagonism’ for the hero and those around him that are barely touched upon. The ‘backstory’ of Peach is mentioned once and then never again, which may be a setup for a likely guaranteed sequel.

The score and soundtrack are above par.  The themes of different worlds and actions of the original game, and a range of songs from the 80’s being played in the background of some fun action sequences, add to the nostalgia.

A fun night in with the kids was had, despite the flaws.

3.5/5