The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Better Than the Original, but for All the Wrong Reasons

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie certainly lives up to its grand title. While the 2023 predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, centered on the brothers establishing their roots and evolving beyond their plumbing origins, this sequel shifts gears toward world-building. It aims to broaden the scope of Nintendo’s cinematic universe by introducing a revolving door of new faces, though many find themselves lost in a narrative void as vast as the vacuum of space.

Much of the critique aimed at the original film holds true for this installment. Like its predecessor, Galaxy is an exhaustive treasure trove of Easter eggs spanning four decades of gaming history, relying heavily on sentimental value and breathtaking animation to compensate for a remarkably thin script. This time around, the focus is even more scattered, pulling in characters and references from the wider Nintendo portfolio to patch over gaps in the storytelling.

Despite these flaws, I found myself won over by several sequences. Seeing long-dormant antagonists from Super Mario Bros. 2—specifically Wart (voiced by Luis Guzmán), Mouser, and Clawgrip—reimagined for the big screen provided the film’s most exhilarating action sequence and served as a genuine highlight for long-time fans.

The film hits the ground running by delivering on the teases from the previous movie’s post-credits. We are introduced to three pivotal figures: Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson), Yoshi (Donald Glover), and the mischievous Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie). Unfortunately, Rosalina is quickly relegated to the “damsel in distress” archetype when Bowser Jr. abducts her. His goal? To power a devastating super-weapon and settle the score for his father, who remains a miniature captive within the Mushroom Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Mario and Luigi travel to the Sand Kingdom to track a rumored beast, eventually discovering the lovable Yoshi. While the dinosaur’s inclusion brings plenty of slapstick humor—mostly involving his signature ability to consume objects and produce eggs—the secondary plot involving Toad’s jealousy feels underdeveloped. Yoshi often feels more like a marketable mascot than a character with depth, though Donald Glover delivers an infectious energy through the creature’s limited vocabulary.

The standout dynamic, however, is the relationship between Bowser and his heir. The chemistry between Benny Safdie’s petulant Bowser Jr. and Jack Black’s returning, scene-stealing Bowser is electric. The elder Koopa remains the film’s most compelling figure, portraying a villain grappling with both temperament issues and the insecurities of fatherhood. Safdie plays the junior villain with the perfect blend of entitlement and menace.

Visual experimentation is another welcome addition. The film departs from Illumination’s house style with a charming puppet theater sequence staged by Bowser, an artistic flashback featuring the Star Fox crew, and stylized nods to the 8-bit era. These moments offer a refreshing break from the hyper-glossy animation and hint at the aesthetic diversity potential spin-offs might explore.

For those expecting a viral musical sensation like Bowser’s “Peaches,” the sequel plays it relatively safe. Brian Tyler’s orchestral score is built upon motifs from classic game soundtracks, which will delight purists. Interestingly, Galaxy largely ditches the controversial pop-song needle drops of the first film, save for a clever instrumental rendition of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” during a Brooklyn-set montage.

Ultimately, aside from a few obscure cameos that will require explanation for younger viewers, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie sticks to a predictable path. Its brisk 98-minute runtime ensures the energy never flags, but it largely replicates the rescue-mission structure of its predecessor. If you’re seeking emotional gravity or a complex narrative, you may be disappointed; the Super Mario cinematic machine has found its lucrative formula, and it isn’t looking to change it anytime soon.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives in theaters on April 1.

Wart finally makes his return to the spotlight!

Source: Polygon