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The Super Mario Bros. Movie Reviews
Without overplaying its hand, it hits all the major notes within the wild, inventive universe of block-breaking and Goomba-stomping.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 18, 2024
The iconic plumber’s big screen re-do is a proud celebration of the character’s appeal.
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 22, 2024
All movies exist to sell, but this exists to sell everything but the movie. It’s not a love letter – it’s soulless capitalism. The Super Mario Bros Movie is an imagination-free wasteland where cinematic storytelling goes to die.
Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jul 17, 2024
A specific sequence set across the streets of Brooklyn is a gorgeous nod to the 2D platformer aesthetic. It might be my favorite adaptation of the gamified visual look to the big screen since “Tron: Legacy.”
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 9, 2024
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, on the other hand, is so cynical and dated right out of the gate that it makes something as inherently positive as Mario feel just a tad distasteful.
Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jul 3, 2024
The Marvel Cinematic Universe playbook of wry comments instead of real humor has become the dominant form of “comedy” in present day Hollywood.
Full Review | Jun 6, 2024
Boasts terrific animation and eventually feels as exciting as watching someone else play a video game.
Full Review | Original Score: C+ | May 27, 2024
Is The Super Mario Bros. Movie a great film? No. Is it worth going to see? Yes. Younger gamers will embrace it but older gamers maybe looking for a little more of a plot.
Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Dec 22, 2023
Scientifically designed in a lab for the broadest possible appeal and the least offense that could possibly be made.
Full Review | Dec 19, 2023
I would have liked a story, but loosely connected action set-pieces within Nintendo's sprawling Mario-adjacent universe is still fun. This is an advertisement for new generations to board the bandwagon.
Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Dec 8, 2023
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a homage to the most relevant Nintendo saga... [Full review in Spanish]
Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 29, 2023
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a DREAM COME TRUE for lifelong Nintendo fans and PERFECT DOWN TO THE LAST PIXEL. With gorgeous animation and unforgettable music, Nintendo and Illumination have made a delightful family film filled with heart.
Full Review | Sep 20, 2023
Its action, color, and silliness will appeal to kids while adult fans of the franchise will enjoy all the nostalgic connotations. It manages to tell a coherent, albeit forgettable, story with ample charm, thrills, and humor.
Full Review | Aug 23, 2023
Simple but effective for anyone who grew up with Mario in their lives.
Full Review | Aug 16, 2023
It is obvious that in an effort to appeal to a wide demographic, the movie fails on all counts because of a weak script, an over dependence on elements lifted directly from the video game and several voice casting mistakes.
Full Review | Original Score: C- | Aug 8, 2023
Packed with fantastic references that will warm the hearts of those who lived and still live with Nintendo and Mario up close. Along with energetic action, dazzling animation and world-building, and iconic music.
Full Review | Original Score: A- | Jul 25, 2023
If folks grew up playing the games (or still do), and already treasure everything Mario, this is a must-see movie. For everyone else, the mileage in their kart will vary.
Full Review | Jul 25, 2023
PHENOMENAL ANIMATION! Short & Simple (too short if I’m honest) Chris Pratt is honestly PERFECT as MARIO (yes I’m as shocked as you) Jack Black might steal the show as BOWSER. But Brian Tyler’s SCORE is so GOOD
Full Review | Original Score: B | Jul 22, 2023
A rather forgettable affair.
Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Jul 11, 2023
This fun, visually gorgeous adaptation does the world's most famous plumber justice.
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 8, 2023
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‘the super mario bros. movie’ review: zippy animated version breathes new life into beloved video game.
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.
By Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
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The farrelly brothers on reuniting for 'dear santa' ahead of 'dumb and dumber' 30th anniversary, jude law admits 'the holiday' cottage "doesn't exist", the super mario bros. movie.
After an amusing slapstick episode involving a routine plumbing job turned into a catastrophe by an aggressive pooch, the brothers take it upon themselves to attempt to fix a broken water main underneath the Brooklyn streets. When Luigi falls down a mysterious pipe and disappears, Mario dives in after him and finds himself in the magical Mushroom Kingdom. With the aid of the upbeat Toad (Keegan Michael-Key), the first resident he encounters, Mario embarks on a mission to rescue his brother from the clutches of the evil Bowser ( Jack Black ), the ferocious turtle leader of the Koopas, who is intent on conquering the Mushroom Kingdom.
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. The fast-paced action effectively approximates the gaming experience; Brian Tyler’s equally frenetic soundtrack cleverly riffs on the game’s musical themes by composer Koji Kando, providing suitable accompaniment.
The plot is as basic as can be, and character development is clearly not a priority. Considering Day’s terrific voice work as Luigi, it seems a shame that the character disappears for such long stretches. But directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, creators of the Teen Titans Go! series, deliver a reasonably faithful big screen adaptation that, while it features plenty of juvenile humor, wisely doesn’t lean toward broad satire.
Fans will be delighted by the many Easter eggs liberally scattered throughout the proceedings — I’m sure I missed the vast majority of them, but there were plenty of appreciative laughs and cheers at the press screening — including the vocal cameos by original Mario voice performer Martinet and other game veterans.
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COMMENTS
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Rotten Tomatoes 54% (100 Reviews) Critics Consensus: While it's nowhere near as thrilling as turtle tipping your way to 128 lives, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a colorful -- albeit thinly plotted -- animated adventure that has about as many Nintendos as Nintendont's.
Critics Consensus: While it's nowhere near as thrilling as turtle tipping your way to 128 lives, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a colorful -- albeit thinly plotted -- animated adventure that has about as many Nintendos as Nintendont's.
The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom. Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic Writers: Matthew Fogel Cast: Chris Pratt as Mario Anya-Taylor Joy as Princess Peach Charlie Day as Luigi Jack Black as Bowser Keegan-Michael Key as Toad Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong -- Rotten Tomatoes: 54%. Metacritic: 48
Mario and Luigi go on a whirlwind adventure through Mushroom Kingdom, uniting with a cast of familiar characters to defeat Bowser. Watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie with a subscription on...
A blindingly fast series of references to more than 35 years of pop-cultural presence, the most striking thing about The Super Mario Bros. Movie is what false advertising that title is. The first 80% I am all good with.
With gorgeous animation and unforgettable music, Nintendo and Illumination have made a delightful family film filled with heart. Full Review | Sep 20, 2023. Its action, color, and silliness will...
Benefitting immensely from the endless creativity of the innumerable game developers, artists, and musicians who’ve made the Mario franchise a pop culture juggernaut, The Super Mario Bros....
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.
Redditors' opinions on "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" are mixed, with some praising the film as a fun and visually impressive experience, while others criticize it for its shallow plot and reliance on fan service.
It has certainly satisfied the fans and despite having a mediocre story (most Mario games have a wafer thin plot), the film had enough to heart and set pieces to keep me and daughter thoroughly entertained.