The Super Mario Bros. Movie: A Game-Changing Adaptation for Video Game Films

It's been almost four decades since Super Mario Bros. first hit the gaming scene, and it has taken just as long for Hollywood to finally give the beloved character his due on the big screen. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, produced by Illumination and Nintendo, is a game-changer for video game adaptations. It finally provides Mario with the onscreen adventure he's always deserved, and does so with incredible attention to detail and reverence for the game.

The setup is simple: while on a plumbing job underneath Brooklyn, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported to the Mushroom Kingdom where they become embroiled in King Bowser’s (Jack Black) plans to steal the Super Star, which would give him the power to take over the domain of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy). The movie benefits from decades of Mario games, giving co-directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic an infinite well of wild scenarios and iconography to pull from for inventive action moments.

Although the film's plot may be Paper Mario-thin, it doesn't take away from the magic of the games. The Super Mario Bros. Movie almost always has an inventive in-world solution to whatever problem pops up that relies on something easily recognizable from the games, but never withholds explanation of how that thing works. This balance of accessibility for general audiences and inside jokes for long-time fans makes the movie enjoyable for all.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie's visual vibrance sets a high bar for future animated video game adaptations. Bowser's siege of the Penguin Kingdom, the expansive fungi vistas of the Mushroom Kingdom, and the lush greenery of the Kongs’ Jungle Kingdom are all super-saturated dreamscapes that coalesce into a bustling world begging to be explored further. The bombastic score by Brian Tyler perfectly expresses the grandeur and whimsy of the games' tracks and deploys many recognizable music cues throughout the action.

The movie's mostly excellent use of its source material contrasts with some ill-advised blockbuster animation tropes which can occasionally be grating. Moments like the frequent use of slo-mo to highlight jokes or soundtrack choices like A-Ha's "Take On Me" can feel out of place. However, the fantastic performances by the cast bring life to the characters, with no real weak link among them.

Overall, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a must-watch for Mario fans and general audiences alike. Although it can slip into "generic animated movie" territory with some low-hanging stabs at humor and soundtrack choices, the movie's overall excellent use of its source material and fantastic performances make it a game-changing adaptation for video game films.