After much anticipation, the new Super Mario Bros. movie premiered in theaters on April 5, 2023, and is celebrating box office success less than two weeks later. The film is co-produced by Universal and Nintendo, and specifically brought to us by Illumination, the animation studio that is best known for releasing hits such as the Despicable Me and Minions franchise.
Super Mario Bros. features a stellar cast, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach. The cast also includes comedians Jack Black, Seth Rogan and Fred Armisen, who voice Bowser, Donkey Kong and Cranky Kong, respectively.
The film gave viewers a background into Mario and Luigi’s life before their famous original quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser, a story many of us are familiar with because of how the Super Mario games were staples in our childhoods. It was a fantastic experience to watch so many of the elements that make Mario memorable come to life on the big screen. From the authenticity of the characters, the nods to the different integral aspects of the games such as Mario Kart, the Power-Ups, and all of the details, the film was beautifully made and satisfying to watch. Additionally, the soundtrack was a mix of the tunes that accompany the games, as well as some of the most iconic 80’s tunes to pay homage to the origins of Super Mario. And of course, on the topic of music, Jack Black’s performance of Bowser’s emotional love ballad dedicated to Princess Peach is not only comedic gold and absolutely show-stopping, but that performance alone made the trip to the theater worth it for me and my friends! Overall, the film is enjoyable for everyone, from children to adults who have fond memories playing the Nintendo games growing up.