Super Mario Bros. Movie Review

Mario gearing up for action in The Super Mario Bros. Movie For all of Chris Pratt's hype about his Mario voice, though, it's merely serviceable. The movie jokes about Charles Martinet's original problematic accent (Martinet also voices two characters in the film), but Pratt's spin on it just feels like someone pretending to be a schlubby Brooklynite. That's particularly surprising since Pratt injected so much life into his Lego Movie lead.

What's most disappointing about The Super Mario Bros. Movie is that it's so close to being genuinely great. If the film had more time to build up its characters, or if it made room for Jack Black unleash his full Tenacious D talents as Bowser, it would easily be stronger. Why not go a bit harder on that Mario Kart sequence? (Even Moana managed to fit in a Mad Max: Fury Road reference!) Why not spend a bit more time on the rivalry/budding bromance between Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) and Mario?

With a projected opening weekend of $150 million or more, it's clear that Nintendo has a hit on its hands. A sequel is inevitable. I just hope that the company loosens up the next time around. After all, what fun is a Mario adventure without taking a few creative leaps over chasms of uncertainty?

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario is getting ready for action, but while Chris Pratt's portrayal of the character has generated a lot of buzz, it falls somewhat short of expectations. Despite the film's attempt to poke fun at Charles Martinet's accent, which he used to voice the character in the game, Pratt's take on it feels like a generic imitation of a typical New Yorker rather than a unique portrayal.

What's even more disappointing is that the movie had the potential to be truly exceptional. The characters could have been developed more, and there could have been more room for Jack Black to showcase his impressive talents as Bowser. Perhaps the Mario Kart sequence could have been given more emphasis, as it would have added a much-needed burst of excitement to the film. Even Moana managed to work in a Mad Max: Fury Road reference, so why not The Super Mario Bros. Movie?

Additionally, the rivalry/bromance dynamic between Donkey Kong, played by Seth Rogen, and Mario could have been given more time to play out. With an opening weekend projected to bring in over $150 million, it's clear that Nintendo has a hit on their hands and a sequel is inevitable. However, one can only hope that the company will be willing to take a few more creative risks the next time around. After all, what's the point of a Mario adventure if there aren't a few daring leaps of faith?

The potential for greatness is there, but it feels as though the movie is holding back. With a bit more time and effort put into the writing and character development, The Super Mario Bros. Movie could have been a true masterpiece.

As it stands, however, it's a serviceable movie that will undoubtedly entertain fans of the franchise. The visuals are stunning, and the action sequences are exciting, but the lack of depth in the characters and plot leaves something to be desired.

Despite its flaws, the movie's projected success is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Mario franchise. With a sequel on the horizon, there is still plenty of potential for the filmmakers to take risks and push the boundaries of what we expect from a Mario movie.

Overall, while The Super Mario Bros. Movie falls short of its potential, it still manages to capture the spirit of the games and provide an enjoyable experience for fans. With a bit more risk-taking and creativity, however, the sequel could truly be something special.

One area where the movie succeeds is in its casting choices. While Pratt's Mario may not be the standout performance some were hoping for, the rest of the ensemble cast delivers strong performances. Seth Rogen's Donkey Kong is a particular highlight, bringing a sense of humor and heart to the character.

It's also worth noting that the movie does a good job of incorporating elements from the games in creative ways. The Mario Kart sequence, while brief, is a fun nod to the classic racing game, and the use of power-ups and enemies feels natural and true to the source material.

At the end of the day, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a flawed but enjoyable adventure that will appeal to fans of the franchise. With a sequel in the works, there's still plenty of potential for the filmmakers to improve upon the first installment and deliver something truly special.

In conclusion, while The Super Mario Bros. Movie may not be the groundbreaking film that some were hoping for, it still manages to capture the charm and spirit of the beloved video game franchise. With a bit more effort put into the writing and character development, the sequel could be a real standout in the world of video game movies. Regardless, the movie is sure to entertain both longtime fans and newcomers to the world of Mario alike.