Movies: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

[Ducks in a row]

As a old Super Mario Bros. fan that grew up with the NES and SNES games I enjoyed the movie. It's a fun family friendly movie. It did for what I wanted bringing a smile to my face many times something I could use more of in my life.

 

[Shareefruck]

I mean I haven't been tracking the discussions post for post but as far as the discussion on meritorious children's movies like, say, Toy Story and the Ghibli movies, obviously that's proof that it's possible to reach a higher standard. But those movies stick out because they're exceptional.

There's always going to be a market for movies targeted for children, would it be nice if there was more value than cheap laughs, loud noises, and flashy visuals but if a kid doesn't need that to be entertained it's not the end of the world.

With respect to the critics, I don't think there's anything wrong with them concluding that this movie is shallow and lacking substance, but it's getting pretty low scores for that. From what I'm gathering, having not seen it, it seems like this is an unexceptional and run of the mill kids movie. I don't think that merits 1-4 scores that skew the aggregate to make it look like it's a piece of shit that people should stay away from.

What I'm saying is that I doubt anyone is even actually hoping for anything a fraction as good as Toy Story or the Ghibli movies (which are actually revolutionary and groundbreaking). From what I'm reading, it seems more like people are just disappointed that its substantive-qualities are falling short of stuff that would merely be considered modestly solid, critically speaking.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

This movie is not supposed to be freaking Blade Runner.

-Does it tell a coherent story?
-Does it follow the source material to a certain level?
-Is the pacing good?
-Is it "too originy" which is a problem for a lot of franchises where the first movie takes them forever to get to any action/learn of their abilities and you have to wait another 2-3 years for follow up.

And last:

-Is it written in a memorable way like 80s-90s films or is it the modern MCU "roller coaster" ride style where it's a one and done?

 

[No Fun Shogun]

It was a lot of fun. Don’t get how anyone wouldn‘t at least have fun with it.

 

[HoseEmDown]

Kids enjoyed it and were entertained the whole movie. Me and the wife liked it as well and it's something we won't have an issue enjoying again when it plays a thousand times in the car. Preferred the live action style of Sonic more so would hope they give that style another try sometime in the future.

 

[Leonardo87]

Just saw it last night, I liked it, wasn’t like wow, but still good. I thought Bowser (Jack Black) was the highlight of the movie, and saved it from being just a mediocre film

 

[Unholy Diver]

Saw it Wednesday with the wife and kid, I thought it was entertaining

 

[HoseEmDown]

Just saw it last night, I liked it, wasn’t like wow, but still good. I thought Bowser (Jack Black) was the highlight of the movie, and saved it from being just a mediocre film

Agree, voiced him well and the music bits were fun change of pace. Liked the reason he got the star and went after Peach, never assumed that from the games.

 

[PK Cronin]

Agree, voiced him well and the music bits were fun change of pace. Liked the reason he got the star and went after Peach, never assumed that from the games.

I think it was simple and effective enough to get the movie rolling and now they don't need to develop a ridiculous reason moving forward.

 

[TD Charlie]

Loved it. The voice acting was all fine. Anya Taylor Joy was prob the best casting choice with Jack Black at #2.

 

[Ozz]

Saw it tonight. Kid loved it, we enjoyed it and have no complaints, so I'm satisfied.

 

[HanSolo]

I liked it. It's about what I thought it would be (maybe even a little better than I thought). Short story: it put a smile on my face multiple times, it made me laugh a few times, my nephew had a blast and it was just generally a good time. I'm okay with not getting a masterwork in a movie about the Super Mario Brothers.

Long story. Yeah the story is nothing special. It's incredibly straightforward and doesn't require much thought or emotional investment. But, I mean, that's how you can describe 95% of Mario games. Can a movie be an opportunity to elevate the standard experience? Sure. Does it have to be? Not necessarily. Should it be? Up to the individual. I was okay with this movie basically being an amusement park ride. The only criticism I'd give it in the story department is that they were actually cooking up some pretty solid emotional resonance with the brotherly relationship between Mario and Luigi. And then the movie splits them up for 85% of the run time and that relationship dissolves into plot motivation for Mario. Like I get that the tried and true formula for Mario adventures is that Mario has to rescue somebody, usually Peach, and they didn't want to do that in these modern times. But it was a missed opportunity not having Mario and Luigi together.

Past that, I can't really complain about much else other than somewhat frenetic pacing. The voice acting was passable to great (Jack Black obviously steals the show) the visuals were stunning, the action was mostly solid (though at times, like Mario and Donkey Kong's platforming speed run, the action was happening just a bit too fast to process what was going on)

Like I said, my nephew had an absolute blast and was telling me he can't wait to go play Mario Kart and can't wait to see the movie again. That's all I really cared about so I don't consider it a waste of a ticket.

 

[Emperoreddy]

On track for a record opening weekend for an animated film.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Once again it shows the “critics” are morons and why I never go by most of them. Glad people are enjoying it.

 

[John Price]

 

[Emperoreddy]

Just saw it. Had a lot of fun

 

[Deen]

Basically just mindless entertainment, but my 7 year old Nephew said he loved it. It was decent enough, but I was happy when it ended.

 

[Magic Man]

I've polished off the following movies since Thursday. I rank them like so.

1. The Super Mario Bros.
2. Ant Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
----------------------------------------------
3. Shazam! Fury of the Gods
4. 65
5. Boston Strangler
6. Tetris

 

[WTFetus]

Watched it last night. I enjoyed the movie and would give it a solid B.

My two complaints:

1) There is so many great Nintendo music, I don't know why they used other songs like "Take on Me" or others. Really just brings you out of it.

2) Bowser's singing scene. Obviously only did it because of Jack Black, but felt it was unnecessary and random. Probably the only "bad" part of the movie.

 

[WTFetus]

Loved it. The voice acting was all fine. Anya Taylor Joy was prob the best casting choice with Jack Black at #2.

I'd probably say Anya Taylor Joy's and Seth Rogan's voices were the weakest of the cast. Not that they were bad, but it was just their normal voices, they weren't voicing a character.
Actually thought Pratt and Day did a great job as an interpretation of Mario and Luigi.

 

[TD Charlie]

I'd probably say Anya Taylor Joy's and Seth Rogan's voices were the weakest of the cast. Not that they were bad, but it was just their normal voices, they weren't voicing a character.
Actually thought Pratt and Day did a great job as an interpretation of Mario and Luigi.

I didn’t think they needed to change voices though. They fit perfectly.

And the Peaches song was one of the best parts of the movie!

 

[beowulf]

I guess I am surprised and not surprised at how well this one is doing at the box office. $427.9M so far is wow...will soon pass Ant-Man and the Wasp as top movie so far in 2023 box office worldwide.

 

[John Price]

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Probably will never watch the film but just chipping in to say that Super Mario World is one of the coolest things on the planet. Would love a film that could keep up with that sort of art direction, imagination and momentum. Just comparable creativity for a score would be great. Yoshi's Island has a cooler aesthetic and cuter delivery but Super Mario World's entire design is just so smart. The entire Star World is just so gorgeous in all aspects.

 

[StreetHawk]

It's closing in on $700 million at the box office. Very impressive. No confirmed costs for the movie, but given the price for Rise of Gru and Sing 2 in the $80-$85 mill range, they estimate it cost around $100 million give or take.

Shows, that some things are best left as animation vs trying to make it live action.