The 2023 adaptation of The Super Mario Bros. Movie presents an interesting case of balancing the expectations of video game fans with the creative liberties often required in cinematic adaptations. Given the history of video game films, this movie stands out as a monumental success, despite its mixed critical reception. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, and produced by Illumination Entertainment in collaboration with Nintendo, the film had the formidable task of bringing one of the most iconic video game franchises to life in a way that satisfied both casual viewers and long-time fans. The result was a financially triumphant production that grossed over $1.36 billion worldwide, although its narrative simplicity garnered polarizing opinions.
The film stars Chris Pratt as the voice of Mario, a choice that raised some controversy prior to its release. Known more for his live-action roles, Pratt’s casting led to debate among fans who were accustomed to Mario’s classic Italian-accented voice from the games. However, once the movie premiered, opinions on his performance were generally positive. His portrayal of Mario, while less exaggerated than the game version, brings a grounded quality that fits the film’s approach to expanding Mario’s character from a silent protagonist in a pixelated world to a fully fleshed-out character with emotional depth. Critics have noted that while Pratt’s Mario may not have captured the exact spirit of the video game version, his performance helped create a more relatable, modern interpretation of the character.
The story of the film is straightforward, mirroring the simplicity of many Mario games. Mario and Luigi, brothers and plumbers from Brooklyn, are transported to the fantastical Mushroom Kingdom after attempting to fix a water main leak. The plot splits early when the brothers are separated—Mario ends up in the Mushroom Kingdom, while Luigi is taken captive by Bowser, the menacing Koopa King. Bowser, voiced by Jack Black, is one of the standout performances of the movie. Black brings a mix of charisma, comedy, and menace to the role, elevating Bowser from a standard villain to a more memorable antagonist. His rendition of Bowser is layered, providing moments of genuine humor, like the villain’s obsession with marrying Princess Peach, while also maintaining a sense of threat as he plots to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom if his advances are spurned.
Princess Peach, voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy, deviates from her usual damsel-in-distress role, playing a more active and empowered character. This decision has been generally well-received, as it aligns with more modern storytelling approaches that seek to give traditionally passive characters more agency. In the movie, Peach is depicted as a competent leader who joins Mario in his mission to stop Bowser. The choice to give her a more active role helped balance the dynamic between Mario and Peach, and her character arc was seen as a fresh take for long-time fans of the franchise. Peach’s development was perhaps one of the more significant updates from the game’s traditional storyline, making her a central figure in the conflict rather than merely an objective for Mario to rescue.
The animation style has been praised for its vibrant and faithful recreation of the Mario universe. Illumination, known for its visually engaging work on films like Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets, brought the Mushroom Kingdom to life with impressive detail. Every frame of the film is filled with references and Easter eggs for fans of the games, from the iconic power-ups to the appearance of karts on Rainbow Road, a nod to the beloved Mario Kart series. This attention to detail helped to keep dedicated fans engaged, even when the plot itself might have seemed thin or predictable. The film succeeds in translating the fantastical elements of the game into a cinematic form, maintaining the whimsy and color that define the video game series.
However, not all critics were as enthusiastic about the film’s narrative. While visually stunning, the movie’s plot has been described as formulaic and lacking in depth. The simplicity of the storyline, which essentially revolves around Mario’s quest to stop Bowser and save his brother, left some viewers wanting more complexity, particularly given the rich lore that has developed around the Mario universe over decades. The plot largely serves as a vehicle for a series of action-packed set pieces and fan-service moments, rather than offering any deep character development or thematic exploration. For some critics, this was a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the world and characters, particularly given the film’s significant runtime for an animated feature.
Despite these narrative shortcomings, the movie’s pacing and comedic tone help keep it enjoyable for its target audience. The humor is mostly lighthearted, with a few clever gags that appeal to both younger viewers and adults. Keegan-Michael Key’s performance as Toad adds a charming and somewhat bumbling sidekick to the story, while Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong provides additional comic relief, particularly during his rivalry with Mario. The dynamic between Mario and Donkey Kong, once adversaries in the arcade games, shifts to a reluctant partnership, adding a layer of humor and camaraderie to the film.
In terms of audience reception, the film performed exceptionally well. General audiences, particularly families and fans of the Mario games, responded positively to the film’s fun, nostalgic, and fast-paced nature. While it may not have resonated as strongly with critics looking for more substantial storytelling, the film’s box office numbers speak to its broad appeal. The nostalgia factor cannot be understated, as the movie taps into decades of Mario’s cultural legacy, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with the more recent games can find something to enjoy.
One of the film’s most discussed aspects is its soundtrack, which includes a blend of original score and licensed music. The score, composed by Brian Tyler, incorporates several iconic themes from the video games, including the unforgettable “Ground Theme” from the original Super Mario Bros. These musical cues serve as a direct link to the source material, immediately recognizable to anyone who has played the games. In addition to the score, the film also features popular songs, such as A-ha’s “Take on Me” and Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero.” While these choices added an element of fun to the movie’s action sequences, some critics felt that the licensed tracks felt out of place or overly commercialized, detracting from the film’s Mario-centric atmosphere.
The 2023 film is not the first time Mario has been adapted for the big screen. The infamous 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. movie, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, was a commercial and critical failure, widely regarded as one of the worst video game adaptations ever made. The shadow of that film loomed large over the 2023 production, with many fans expressing initial concerns about whether this new adaptation would do the franchise justice. Fortunately, the animated approach taken by Illumination and the involvement of Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto as a producer helped allay those fears, resulting in a product that was far more faithful to the games. The 2023 movie doesn’t stray too far from the core elements that have made Mario a beloved character for generations, unlike the highly experimental (and ultimately failed) approach of the 1993 film.