“Since 2009, special guest contributor Felix Albuerne Jr. has been reviewing new films in theaters for podcasts, terrestrial radio, and TV outlets. In 2023, he launched a YouTube channel and the latest iteration of his review site, “Film Buff Unplugged,” on Substack. Subscribe for free at https://fbunplugged.substack.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@filmbuffunplugged.” and follow him on social media here: https://linktr.ee/felixfilmbuff.
The second installment of Nintendo’s flagship animated film franchise is a wild ride full of colorful action and more clever nods to classic games, but it’s much more for the kids than the first film.
Good? It depends on who you’re asking
One thing I can say without hesitation is that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a very enjoyable movie for kids.
It’s not very long at 98 minutes. It packs a lot of bouncy, colorful action in that short time and doesn’t linger on any plot point or conversation too long before bouncing to the next.
It’s got plenty of physical comedy, and for the kids who grew up in the 2010’s playing “Super Mario Galaxy” and “Super Mario Galaxy 2” there are lots of visual callbacks and Easter eggs, plus a few cameos and deep cuts some old-school gamers will catch.
If that’s all you (or the young audience member you’re bringing to the movies to enjoy the film with) need to call it a “win”, you’re in luck. Have a blast!
But if you’re looking for a movie that transcends being just a kids’ movie and a nostalgia vehicle the way that the first The Super Mario Bros Movie surprisingly turned out to be in 2023, you might come away a little disappointed.
Pick a lane, guys
Three years ago, the first film did everything I outlined above to satisfy the 10-and-under audience members, and did them well.
It was overstuffed, but it worked because it also did something else really well. It gave the film a beating heart by placing a single character’s emotional journey at the center of all that colorful chaos.
Mario’s aspiring-plumber-to-Mushroom-Kingdom-hero story is the glue that holds the first film together. It drives the narrative forward and gives audiences something to not only giggle at but also cheer for by the end.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, however, has no such central figure or journey. Writer Matthew Fogel certainly had his choice of characters to choose from had he wanted to have one.
Instead, we pinball between returning and new characters’ subplots at breakneck speed until they all come together into a contrived, underwhelming finale. A few established characters get left in the dust, while some new characters feel shoehorned in for no good reason except name recognition.
And the film has no idea what to do with Bowser, the villain from the first film, voiced again by Jack Black. Not saying any more than that. When you see the film, you’ll see what I mean.
But again, it’s a kids’ movie, right? Does any of that really matter? See for yourself.
For me, it’s “fine.”
But it could have easily been better. How do I know?
Because they did it the first time.
Postscripts
- As with the first film, there are two end-credit scenes to stick around for, one in the middle and one at the end.
- In addition to the returning cast and writer from “The Super Mario Bros” movie, directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic also return for this outing.
- Not nearly as many good music drops in this film as in the first one. “Super Mario Bros” use of pop and rock classics like A-Ha’s “Take on Me” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”, plus Jack Black doing his inimitable musical thing, added a wonderful cheekiness to the proceedings. Not so this time around.
- Is Jack Black out to appear in every movie series based on a video game? I think he might be. After all, he’s got this, and he rawked as “Steve” in “The Minecraft Movie” last year. What else is he going to show up in?
- Next up for classic video game movies coming to life on the big screen: “Mortal Kombat 2” this summer, and in 2027, Nintendo is back with “The Legend of Zelda,” directed by Wes Ball.
