BY SEBASTIAN ORRANTIA
Mario (L) and Luigi fist-bumping each other, played by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day.
Starring Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Anya Taylor Joy, and many more in this star-filled cast, the Super Mario Brothers movie has come to life and graced the big screen in April 2023.
Although this movie is about the Super Mario game franchise, the film begins by introducing the “Super Mario Brothers,” a plumbing company in Brooklyn with little success. Their journey is derailed quickly when they stumble into a magic pipe, separating them into a new mystical world where Mario begins his quest to get his brother Luigi back from the evil “Bowser”
Coming into this movie, there were many expectations that I, along with many others, had no idea how to interpret. There were controversial interviews where actors like Seth Rogan seemingly dismissed the art of voice acting, saying that he was not willing to replicate the voice of his character.
(L-R) Mario, Peach, and Toad looking off screen, played by Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Keegan-Micheal Key.
Not to mention that mainstream movie adaptations of beloved videogames or animated series have a bad precedent, with examples like the live action “Avatar the Last Airbender” or the 2002 “Resident Evil” movies.
However, this film blew past these expectations with amazing voice acting performances, even if Seth Rogan’s character still had the actor’s infamous laugh, and gave us a unique take to the long-tried story of the princess being saved by Mario and his brother.
Princess Peach’s character is not the one-dimensional damsel in distress, but is instead a strong leader in her kingdom that teaches Mario how to fight, the brotherly bond between Mario and luigi is explored.
Protagonists aside, I believe the most fun portrayal of these characters is Bowser. Although inherently evil, there are multiple scenes showing his soft side for Princess Peach, demonstrating nervous jitters and his hopeless romantic gestures, best shown in his song dedicated to the princess, “Peaches”.
Bowser looking at the star he just managed to steal, played by Jack Black.
All in all, I believe this film is an enjoyable ride for kids, and a funny take on the beloved video game franchise for adults, with few hiccups to pick at. I give this movie 4.3 out of 5 stars.