The Super Mario Bros. Movie Review

For the first time, Nintendo and Illumination join forces to create The Super Mario Bros. Movie! Relive all the 80’s nostalgia in this comedic animated film. This is definitely a film you’ll want to bring the whole family to the theaters to see! Will there be end credit scenes in The Super Mario Bros Movie? Yes! There’s a small clip just as the credits begin to roll, and a second one post-credits you won’t want to miss!

I was invited as media to cover this event. All opinions are my own.

The Super Mario Bros Movie Review

About the film:

Based on the world of Nintendo’s Mario games, the film invites audiences into a vibrant, thrilling new universe unlike any created before in an action-packed, exuberant cinematic comedy event.

While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Chris Pratt) and brother Luigi (Charlie Day) 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 (Keegan-Michael Key) and some training from the strong-willed ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario taps into his own power.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie features an extraordinary comedic cast, including Jack Black as Bowser, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike, plus a special voice appearance by Charles Martinet, who has voiced the characters of Mario and Luigi in the Super Mario games for more than 30 years.

Did The Super Mario Bros Movie live up to the hype?

Mamma mia! With an all-star cast, laugh-out-loud moments throughout the film, and a perfectly fitting animation style, this film absolutely knocks it out of the park!

The film’s bright colors and impressive visual effects make you feel like you’re inside a Super Mario Bros video game. There are moments in the film that pan to full view of Mushroom Kingdom and other noticeable cities within the Mario franchise that make me think I just saw a sneak peek of Super Nintendo World that’s currently under construction here in Orlando, Florida.

I know there was some skepticism in the media about Chris Pratt voicing Mario for the film, but I think he did an excellent job. Jack Black is amazing as Bowser and has his own musical number in the film that’s hilarious.

The soundtrack is on point and there are plenty of video game Easter eggs throughout for kids and kids at heart to pick up on.

Is The Super Mario Bros. Movie for kids?

Parents can breathe a sigh of relief that this PG rating is accurate. Kids of all ages will absolutely love the movie. The Super Mario Bros. Movie stays true to the classic storyline we all know and love with upbeat, witty comedy and a fun animation style.

The only scenes that may be a bit scary are pictured above when Luigi’s pipeline drops him off in the badlands and he’s chased by dry bones who capture and bring him to Bowser. There’s also a dancing scene with Donkey Kong that is absolutely hilarious but may be a little risque for younger children when he sort of sways his hips and moves his pecks up and down. It’s all in good, clean fun though.

Lumalee is another hilarious character in the film, although it’s a dry sort of morbid sense of humor. Don’t let that sweet face fool you! Haha!

Overall, I really enjoyed The Super Mario Bros movie and can’t wait to take my whole family for opening night at the theater, tomorrow April 5th!

I hope you enjoyed this no-spoiler movie review. Come back and let me know what you think of the film after seeing it. And make sure to stay for the two end credit scenes.