The Super Mario Galaxy Movie review: Nintendo levels up with chaotic, colorful sequel

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie, created by Nintendo and Illumination, is a wild, enchanting, and incredibly fun ride. While it focuses more on exciting visuals than a complex story, the film perfectly recreates the joy of playing a Mario game and successfully integrates familiar characters alongside new additions like Yoshi, Rosalina, and Star Fox.

After Seth Rogen hilariously skewered Hollywood in his Apple TV+ series, “The Studio,” it’s become hard to avoid imagining the Kool-Aid Man crashing through a wall whenever a new movie based on a popular brand or character is announced – and the recent news about a “Labubu” movie definitely fits that bill.

This is especially true when looking at Nintendo’s animated films. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in 2023, received very different reactions from critics and audiences. While most critics dismissed it as a shallow, money-making venture, audiences flocked to see it and generally enjoyed it.

Both viewpoints have merit, and it doesn’t really matter which one you agree with. The first movie succeeded because it captured the essence of Mario, and this sequel does the same – it focuses on what makes the Mario universe enjoyable instead of trying to reinvent itself.

What is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie about?

The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel continues the story after the first film, drawing inspiration from Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel, as well as the broader Mario universe. It shows Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad adjusting to life after their victory over Bowser, who is now much smaller and generally less intimidating.

Luigi is busy helping Mini-Bowser recover, and Mini-Bowser is trying to relax by painting, though he’s easily frustrated. Meanwhile, Mario is still longing for Peach, but she’s focused on a much more important question: discovering her origins.

However, those feelings are interrupted when Bowser Jr. arrives in his spaceship and physically lifts Peach’s Castle off the ground, trying to rescue his father from being held captive. Meanwhile, in another part of space, Rosalina is taking care of her cute Lumas when things start to go wrong.

After that, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie really takes off, becoming a thrilling journey across different planets and worlds. Yoshi shows up and is as cute as ever, and there’s even a fun appearance by Star Fox, all while the adventure gets much grander.

I don’t want to give away any surprises, but the movie really shines with its amazing visuals and funny moments – the story is okay, but not the strongest part. It’s fast-paced and exciting, just like the games, constantly moving from one action sequence to the next.

However, like many similar stories, this one feels rushed. While the story itself – about family, friendship, and teamwork, crafted by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, and Matthew Fogel – is perfectly good, it doesn’t truly stand out as the most compelling part of the experience.

Illumination delivers a visual power-up

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is likely Illumination’s most visually stunning film yet. It’s incredibly colorful and enjoyable, whether you’re a longtime Mario fan or just looking for a fun family movie.

The team at Illumination has successfully captured the immersive and magical qualities of the Mario games and brought them to life on the big screen. Brie Larson, who voices Rosalina and is a huge fan of the games, confirmed that the movie is packed with references for fans to enjoy.

It’s not an overstatement – the world visibly changes with each shot, the sky is filled with twinkling stars, and a huge variety of characters, like Ninjas, Goombas, Penguins, and Pikmins, all feel unique, even if they just make a quick appearance.

This animation isn’t just good enough for the big screen – it truly shines there. It’s perfectly complemented by Brian Tyler’s fantastic music, which expertly combines new melodies with familiar themes from classic Nintendo games by Koji Kondo.

The game really leans into nostalgia, and sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming. While some parts of the story and references feel hurried, it’s clear the creators genuinely care about the source material, and that makes a big difference.

Jack Black is a highlight in the packed voice cast

Chris Pratt and Charlie Day reprise their roles as Mario and Luigi, delivering performances that are perfectly adequate, much like in the first film. The initial controversy surrounding the lack of strong Italian accents seems to have died down.

Anya Taylor-Joy is adequate as Peach, but Jack Black truly shines as Bowser. He brings the same depth to the role as he did before, and his scenes with his on-screen son, voiced by Benny Safdie, add a fresh and engaging element to the film.

Donald Glover’s portrayal of Yoshi is a standout, instantly grabbing attention – and he’s incredibly cute! – even though the character doesn’t speak. Brie Larson perfectly captures Rosalina’s warmth and powerful presence, and Glen Powell is a natural fit as the effortlessly cool Star Fox.

The comedy is much more reliable throughout the movie this time around. It’s definitely aimed at children, but adults will enjoy plenty of jokes as well – and it doesn’t feel forced at all.

While the characters aren’t as fully developed as they could be, the story gives everyone a fair amount of time on screen. No one feels unimportant, and the new additions to the cast fit in naturally – which is a great accomplishment considering how many characters there are.

Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie good?

It’s likely The Super Mario Bros. Movie will be a huge financial success, potentially earning over a billion dollars. And, truthfully, it’s the type of movie based solely on an existing brand that the studio often playfully criticizes. However, it actually delivers on what it sets out to do – entertain.

This movie successfully pays tribute to the source material while also being thoroughly entertaining, especially thanks to its stunning visuals. The way it incorporates gameplay elements feels seamless, and the characters are all well-developed and relatable.

While the story doesn’t quite reach the emotional impact it suggests, that probably won’t bother fans – kids, those who feel like kids at heart, and anyone familiar with the original games.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is full of the same exciting energy as the games, truly capturing the Mario experience. Plus, a scene after the credits suggests this is just the beginning of a larger series of films, so it’s worth enjoying the adventure!

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie score: 4/5

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie lands in cinemas on April 1, 2026.

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2026-03-31 22:21