Film Review: "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (2023).

"Let's-a go!" It's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This animated adventure comedy film directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, written by Matthew Fogel, based on Nintendo's Mario video game franchise, and produced by Illumination. While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers Mario and brother Luigi are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi. With the assistance of a Mushroom Kingdom resident Toad and some training from the strong-willed ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach, Mario taps into his own power.

After the critical and commercial failure of the live-action film Super Mario Bros. (1993), Nintendo became reluctant to license its intellectual properties for film adaptations. Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto became interested in developing another film during the development of the Virtual Console service. Following the November 2014 hack of Sony Pictures, emails were released, revealing that Sony had been attempting to secure the film rights to the Mario franchise for several years. Through Nintendo's work with Universal Parks & Resorts to create Super Nintendo World, he met with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri. In November 2017, reports emerged that Nintendo was collaborating with Universal and Illumination to make an animated Mario film. In January 2018, Nintendo announced that the film would progress with Miyamoto and Meledandri co-producing. In January 2020, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the film was "moving along smoothly" with an expected 2022 release date. In September, production commenced. In August 2021, it was revelled that Horvath and Jelenic were hired to direct. In September 2022, the film's title was announced as The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In addition, it was announced that Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Kevin Michael Richardson have been cast. In October, production wrapped. The film was animated by Illumination Studios Paris in Paris, France. In addition, Brian Tyler was hired to compose the film's score. In March 2023, post-production commenced.

The film stars the voice talents of Pratt, Taylor-Joy, Day, Black, Key, Rogen, Armisen, Maniscalco, and Richardson. Pratt was able to sell himself as the titular plumber in large part because of the obvious fact that he understood the movie was only taking itself but so seriously. Black, in particular, gets to flex a muscle audiences haven't seen from him in about a decade.

The film is a great time that is well worth watching in the theater if for nothing more than its gorgeous visuals. It’s a film that you can take the whole family to and everyone will find something to enjoy. The film generally works and is a reasonably enjoyable, fun film. Considering what has happened with video game-based films in the past, that's high praise at this point. The film makes sure to provide tons of fan service that will be appreciated by the masses of Mario fans across the globe.

Simon says The Super Mario Bros. Movie receives:

Also, see my reviews for Teen Titans Go! To the Movies and Minions: The Rise of Gru.