Mario (Pratt) and Luigi (Day) drained their bank accounts to start a plumbing business in Brooklyn. They launch the business with a commercial that is mocked by their family and former boss Spike (Maniscalco). While trying to fix a flood / water leak, they are sucked into a water pipe and separated.
Luigi is dropped in the lava fields of the dark lands. He is captured and taken to the ruler, Bowser (Black). Bowser has the super star and big plans. Luigi is thrown in a cage, while Bowser and his Koopa army, including sorcerer Kamek (Richardson), set their plan in motion.
Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, where he meets chatterbox Toad (Key). Mario just wants to find his brother, so Toad takes him to the castle to meet Princess Peach (Taylor-Joy). Peach and her generals are concerned about an attack by Bowser. Their only chance for survival is the aid of the Kong army. Peach, Mario, and Toad go to the Jungle Kingdom to ask Cranky Kong (Armisen) and his son Donkey Kong (Rogen) for help. Can Mario rescue his brother, save the day, and make it back to Brooklyn?
This film is based on the Nintendo Mario video games. Mario was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appeared in the 1981 Donkey Kong game. Since then, Mario has headlined numerous Nintendo games, along with animated TV series, and a1993 live-action film (starring Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi).
The Good:
The story stays true to the world of Mario, while telling a new story with the characters. Everything looks great - it's how you expect the game would look in this style of animation. They also introduce new characters, such as the Penguin King, voiced by Khary Payton.
Most of the character voices are great - when the actors embrace the part and disguise their voice so you can focus on the story without going "oh, that's ___". Jack Black is fantastic as Bowser - skirting the line between menacing and hilarious. Fred Armisen is funny as Cranky Kong. Keegan Michael Key talks a mile-a-minute, while getting some of the best lines, as Toad. Anya Taylor-Joy gives Peach confidence. Charlie Day is ok as Luigi.
The Bad:
Chris Pratt and Seth Rogen. They aren't bad, but they aren't trying enough - they don't do anything to disguise their voices and don't bring anything new to the characters.
I have mixed feelings about Lumalee - the imprisoned, blue star. The character is voiced by director Michael Jelenic's daughter Juliet Jelenic. She says the darkest things in an innocent and giddy manner... it walks the line between funny and disturbing.
Other Comments:
-I have been excited about this film since I first heard about it. And I was not disappointed. It is a fun and funny film, that takes you back to the first time you experienced these characters.
-The film was made as a collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination studios. The animators and writers had access to the Nintendo experts including Miyamoto. Composer Brian Tyler worked with Mario composer Koji Kondo to utilize the games theme songs while making them new for the movie. The writers and animators (and Tyler) used these connections to their advantage and packed the film with references (obvious and hidden) to other Mario projects.
-Charles Martinet voiced the characters of Mario and Luigi in games from 1994-2023. In this film, he voices their father and a character who looks like the original Mario appearance in Donkey Kong.
-The "Peaches" song is hilarious. It was co-written by Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond, and John Spiker. You can't help but smile when Black's Bowser sings the song.
-The directors and cast are interested in making more films with these characters - either as sequels or exploring other characters in the Mario and Nintendo world.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) 92 minutes
Rating: PG for action and mild violence
Directors: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
Starring: Chris Pratt as Mario
Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
Charlie Day as Luigi
Jack Black as Bowser
Keegan Michael Key as Toad
Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong
Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong
Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike
Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek