THE STORY – Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.
THE CAST – Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Brie Larson, Issa Rae, Luis Guzmán, Kevin Michael Richardson & Glen Powell
THE TEAM – Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic (Directors) & Matthew Fogel (Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 98 Minutes
After the Universal Studios logo and another classic “Minions” bit showcasing the Illumination Studios logo appears, the Nintendo title card reminds audiences that the “Super Mario Bros.” franchise has just passed its 40th anniversary. For 40 years, Nintendo has brought unforgettable characters and fantastical, ridiculous worlds to life. Through a simple controller, players were transported to a Mushroom Kingdom, or throughout another galaxy, stomping on Goombas and plopping Koopas, saving Princess Peach more times than can be counted. For Illumination’s first partnership with Nintendo, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” reintroduced audiences to all the incredible characters they know and love, immersing viewers in the world with a vibrant, sensory rush through Illumination’s perfectly suited animation style. The “Mario” games have endured not just for their storytelling but for their ability to deliver pure, unfiltered fun to audiences worldwide. That same philosophy carries into “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” which once again prioritizes spectacle and charm, though this time, the absence of a compelling narrative is harder to ignore. Even so, this sequel still delivers the escapist joy a Mario film needs, making for a charming animated adventure that will have kids firing up the Switch as soon as they get home.
Borrowing its title from the beloved “Super Mario Galaxy” video game, this new installment finds Mario and Luigi (voiced again by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day) finding their groove in the extraordinary lands connected by warp pipes. They assist those in need with all of their plumbing needs, like clearing out creepy pipes that may or may not have an adorable green Yoshi (Donald Glover) stuck inside. Their arch-nemesis, Bowser (Jack Black), remains imprisoned in a diminished state, attempting rehabilitation, so the two plumbers feel better than ever as guardians of the Mushroom Kingdom. Unbeknownst to them, across the galaxy, Bowser’s even more devious son, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), has captured Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson), who wields fantastical power, in his quest to rescue his father from captivity. When word reaches Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), she and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) venture out to try and help, with Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi not too far behind.
As this movie finds the crew launching across the stars through countless worlds, it’s awash with easter eggs, cameos, and new characters fans of the games will surely be delighted to see. While the fan-favorite from the first film, Donkey Kong, is missing here, there’s another new character entering the universe who is likely to find a ton of new fans: Fox McCloud (Glen Powell), the hero from the “Star Fox” video game series. While his role isn’t extensive, he makes a huge impact here, showcasing his next-level piloting abilities aboard the Arwing. He’s effortlessly cool and a strong candidate for a future film spinoff. As a whole, assembling this cast of characters is what these two movies have done best so far. The voice performances throughout capture the energy and spirit of the games. By now, all concerns about Pratt’s performance before the first entry came out have long faded. Newcomers Powell, Larson, and Safdie all join the fray, each with standout moments for their characters. Safdie and Black were born to play an evil father-and-son duo, relishing in their roles every chance they get.
Brian Tyler’s score is just as soaring and nostalgic as it was in the first film, but gets even more space to shine here. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” wisely uses far fewer needle drops than the first go-around, letting Tyler’s music reinvent the classic themes for a new generation and stand out. The animation remains wholly engaging as well. All of the characters remain true to their video game counterparts, but updated and reinvigorated just enough to feel fresh. The action, as the team traverses the stars, is pretty stellar throughout. The vibrant animation helps draw the audience into its many worlds, many of which have been known for years, bringing them to life in a new way. Bowser Jr. wields a magic paintbrush that spews a silver metallic liquid that either brings his creations to life or engulfs his enemies in it. But the standout animated moment is an electrifying detour from Fox McCloud as he tells the story of leading the Star Fox team on missions through space, set to a 2D, anime-inspired interlude. It’s the most exciting piece of animation seen in an Illumination film, and it demands that the eventual “Star Fox” movie make use of this big visual swing.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” comes close to several emotional moments here and there. Still, the filmmakers seem to pull back at every turn, not wanting audiences to dive too deep into these characters and their motivations, or to engage in any grander commentary whatsoever. It becomes difficult to dig deeper into the film’s themes, if they exist. Maybe it’s about embracing fears and going for what is truly desired in life, as Mario confronts his crush on Peach. Or maybe it’s about trusting friends, having their back, and embracing who one is meant to be. Either way, the film remains frustratingly surface-level. That seems to be by design, as directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who also helmed the first film, appear to aim for something risk-averse, preferring to keep things light and nostalgia-driven rather than infusing them with deeper meaning. That’s understandable, given the enormous financial weight of this property, but it remains disappointing because of the franchise’s potential to raise the bar rather than simply stand next to it.
Even so, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is inarguably fun, built for fans of the long-running franchise. For lifelong fans of this universe and young kids experiencing it for the first or second time, this is a Mario fan’s dream. There’s enough here to leave a mass audience satisfied, even if anticipation grows for the next film to level up. For now, good enough is simply enough.
