The Mario Bros. are back! After breaking new ground and setting records in 2023’s Super Mario Bros Movie, the video game franchise takes things out of this world in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Directed by Aaron Hovath and Michael Jelnic (the directors of the first film), the movie follows Mario (Chris Pratt) and his friends as they head to space, where Bowser Jr (Benny Safdie) has abducted Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) and seeks to rule the galaxy with his father, Bowser (Jack Black).
It was long after the release of the first film that Nintendo and Illumination announced plans to make another Mario movie. Details about the movie were kept under wraps during its production, and only in September 2025 were the movie’s title and cast revealed. Following the premise of its respected game, the movie was stated to bring elements from other games and be loaded with Easter Eggs. Being a fan of the series and the first film, seeing The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was a must-see. Its world-building and additional Nintendo characters promised a stronger and more enticing sequel. Still, could The Super Mario Galaxy Movie take this series to the next level?
Expanding Mario’s World!
I had a few ideas where this sequel was heading, but for the most part, I went into this film blind. After my experience, I can say that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is, in many ways, a proper continuation. The movie provided a fun adventure that did its best to expand Mario’s world. However, this attempt to expand the story served as a double-edged sword for the film. The plot tried to cover a lot of areas, such as Mario Bros. meeting Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) going off on her own to find Rosalina. These ideas were all good, but their execution felt rushed, and it made this adventurous plot feel a bit cluttered.
Shaping this adventure was none other than the cast. Mario was still enjoyable even with his limited development. Meanwhile, Peach had notable development, and her chemistry with Mario continued to be great. Next to Peach in progression was none other than Bowser. The Koopa King continued to evolve as an antagonist, and Black’s performance brought another dimension to the iconic villain. For support, characters like Luigi (Charlie Day) and Toad (Keegan Michael-Key) were delightful, while the likes of Yoshi and Fox McCloud (Glenn Powell) were all fantastic inclusions. With Rosalina and Bowser Jr. rounding things out, this cast proved to be an outstanding ensemble worthy of both video games and film.
As for the film’s tone, it was on point with its predecessor. Along with the vibrant atmosphere, the movie had a great sense of humor. Many of the jokes had me chuckling. Yet perhaps the most glaring trait in the film’s direction was the use of Easter Eggs and references. The filmmakers did not shy away from this direction, as there were indeed numerous nods to both Mario and Nintendo games. While the references could be excessive, I did not find them to be egregious. True, perhaps the filmmakers could have dialed some back, but the Easter Eggs were appreciated, and I think they did their job at expanding the film’s concept.
Presentation Worthy of a Video Game
The animation was wondrous to say the least. The first film featured a fantastic look worthy of the games, and it was nice to see its sequel follow suit. The animation this time around was not only more refined but also dynamic. The look incorporated various styles of animation, and it gave the movie a unique presentation. Another area in which the animation excelled was the action. The action sequences were nothing short of impressive as they were creative in both direction and execution, and this showcased the movie’s frenetic nature.
The sound was also impressive. Along with featuring the classic audio of the video games, the music by Brian Tyler was a phenomenal soundtrack. Just like the first film, minus the use of hit songs, the score was a perfect homage to the series. It featured an array of tunes from the games that blended together to create a dynamic score. Furthermore, the score itself felt adventurous, and it was a terrific companion for this video game film.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an adventurous sequel. While the movie had some shortcomings in storytelling, the cast made up for it. Meanwhile, elements such as the action and humor crafted an exciting experience. Furthermore, the movie’s animation not only lived up to its predecessor but also exceeded it in many ways. It may have had some issues, but The Super Mario Galaxy Movie cemented its series’ place on the big screen with a film that captures the essence of video games.
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