This reviewer has never played Nintendo, much less looked over the shoulder of some kid playing a hand-held video game featuring the Mario Bros.
So why did I bother to see the movie?
It was released in 3D and this critic enjoys seeing any movie in 3D.
We-l-l-l-l, okay, if your eyes go wonky looking through 3D glasses, the film is also available in flat screen 2D.
For Mario devotees, either viewing of screening will find the film colourful, full of adventure, loaded with non-stop action, and peppered with interesting, quaint, and numbing characters.
Especially in 3D, it is a kaleidoscopic joyride bursting with Nintendo charm (yes, I checked out Nintendo games before tackling this review) and an always ongoing sense of fun.
It’s easy to smile along with the nonsense of plot and ridiculousness of character interaction.
The narrative creaks, never quite reaching emotional or structural success as found in other recent animated features, Zootopia 2 and Little Amélie and the Character of Rain, for instance.
The journey is there, but with less cohesion.
The voice cast is excellent.
Anya Taylor-Joy is Princess Peach who rules wisely over her kingdom of mushroom people.
Visually, I found her face disturbing. The mouth is always an open oval suggesting an inflatable doll.
Was it intended as a movie Easter egg, a hidden and intentional inside joke, reference, or message tucked into a scene or character by the filmmakers for observant viewers to find?
It’ll roll over kids’ heads, but adults might see it.
Moustachioed Mario, platonic admirer of Princess Peach, is voiced by Chris Pratt, always listenable and commendable.
His self-effacing brother Luigi is heard via Charlie Day’s vibrant delivery.
Princess Peach’s long-lost sister Rosalina is voiced by Oscar-winner Brie Larson.
Reptilian Bowser Jr. – not a petrol pump – but the Nintendo main antagonist of the Super Mario Bros video game, is voiced scathingly by Bennie Safdie to please his absentee Dad, Jack Black, recently better to hear than see.
There is a lot here about families, but younger viewers might question reproductive cycles function due to Mario’s sidekick Yoshi (Donald Glover speaking in a language of his imagination).
Yoshi’s a small, almost cuddly green dinosaur-like creature supposedly male, but who lays eggs which envelop enemies he’s just swallowed.
The Mario Bros travel into space, explore other worlds, tackle galactic problems including a plumbing job involving a blocked pipe, and rescuing a princess from an iron cage.
Interspersed is much music, noise, and a lot of throwaway dialogue.
It’s a great film for fans who want to be dazzled with Illumination’s and Nintendo’s animation.
Kids especially will love it. Though lacking unity, an ability to stick together, watching in 3D makes it all that more fascinating and acceptable.
Movie: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Duration: 98 mins
Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic. Pierre Leduc
Starring the voices of: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover
Rating: ***½
Reviewed by Lawrenty
