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Mario Movie Disappoints: Bowser Jr. Steals the Show
31 Mar
Summary
- The movie's characters are described as blandly nice, unlike Bowser Jr.
- Chris Pratt's Mario is called a generic action hero with smarmy quips.
- The film relies heavily on nostalgia and references from the games.
Released in 2023, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" struggles to capture the magic of its source material, despite a heavy reliance on nostalgia and fan service. Critics describe the animated film as a tedious exercise, failing to imbue its characters with the charm and depth found in the original Nintendo games. Chris Pratt's portrayal of Mario is noted as a generic action hero, lacking the whimsy of his video game counterpart.
The film's plot, loosely adapting the 2007 "Super Mario Galaxy" game, centers on Mario and Luigi’s efforts to protect the Mushroom Kingdom. It introduces Rosalina, a character who is sidelined despite her potential, and features other iconic characters like Yoshi and Princess Peach, who are underdeveloped by a tepid script. Even with meticulous animation fidelity to the games, the movie is perceived as a corporate product devoid of genuine heart or creativity.
The directors, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, alongside screenwriter Matthew Fogel, are noted for delivering a mind-numbing experience similar to the first "Super Mario Bros." movie. The movie's excessive action and chase sequences, combined with an overly shiny animation style, fail to create an engaging universe. The film's ending is rushed, and despite its potential to become a major franchise, it seems to miss the mark on creative execution.
