The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a zippy, animated version that breathes new life into the beloved video game.
From its cheesy nostalgia plays to its breathtaking and imaginative visuals, Universal’s new Mario movie is everything a video game adaptation should be. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key and Seth Rogen are among stars providing the voices for this new screen adaptation of the iconic Nintendo franchise.
The film features one jam-packed sequence after another, one highlight being Mario’s titanic battle with Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen, sounding exactly like himself but still hilarious), in which his determination and resourcefulness become fully apparent.
Laden with Easter Eggs from beginning to end, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a film made for all ages, however, it is catered toward children.
It’s a love letter to devout fans of its longstanding lifespan of 37 years, showcasing its roots, right to its modern-day deliveries. The brisk 92-minute running time is another plus, especially for younger attention spans; this feels especially welcome when so many bloated animated movies come closer to the two-hour mark.
If you’ve played through games like Super Mario World or Super Mario Odyssey, then the general shape of The Super Mario Bros. Movie plot will be obvious. If not, it’s still an astonishing joyride for the entire family, and an adventurous flick to kick back and experience, especially those looking to introduce the young ones to Nintendo’s magical medium.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, rated PG, plays at the Patricia Theatre from April 21 to 27 at 7 pm, with a matinee Sunday, April 23, at 1:30 pm.
Gary Shilling is executive director of qathet Film Society.
