Mario Returns with Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The world’s most iconic plumber returns to cinemas this week with a sequel to the highly successful Super Mario Brothers Movie.
It has been three years since Nintendo’s mustachioed mascot appeared alongside brother Luigi, Princess Peach, and their nemesis Bowser, with the first film grossing over $1.3 billion (nearly £1 billion) worldwide.
The Super Mario Galaxy movie, named after the popular Wii game, shifts the setting to space and introduces beloved characters Yoshi and Rosalina to the cast.
What is Super Mario Galaxy about?
Super Mario Galaxy continues the story from the first film, where Bowser (voiced by Jack Black) is imprisoned by Mario and Luigi after being shrunk to pocket size.
When Bowser’s son, Bowser Jr., voiced by filmmaker and actor Benny Safdie, orchestrates a breakout, it triggers an intergalactic pursuit.
During their journey, Mario and Luigi befriend the dinosaur Yoshi, voiced by actor and musician Donald Glover (also known as Childish Gambino), and Rosalina, a princess voiced by Brie Larson, known for her role in Captain Marvel.
Anya Taylor-Joy returns as Princess Peach, and Luis Guzmán, star of Wednesday, plays Wart, the main antagonist from the 1988 NES game Super Mario Bros 2.
Additional characters from the Super Mario Galaxy game, widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever made, appear in promotional materials for the film.
These include Lumas, glowing star-shaped creatures encountered throughout the game.
What do reviews say?
The original Mario movie received mixed critical reception, holding a 59% score based on 288 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, a film and TV review aggregator.
Despite this, audiences embraced the film, making it the second highest-grossing movie of 2023, just behind Barbie.
Critical response to the sequel has focused on the plot, with some reviewers noting difficulties in maintaining a cohesive storyline throughout the film.
described the movie as a "bland screensaver of a movie," awarding it one star, while The Independent gave it two stars and also criticized its lack of excitement.
One major criticism from fans of the original film was the soundtrack’s inclusion of various pop and rock songs, featuring artists such as the Beastie Boys, AC/DC, and Bonnie Tyler, which many felt did not fit the Mario universe.
Entertainment reporter Jonathan Sim notes that Galaxy takes a different approach, allowing composer Brian Tyler’s "excellent musical score" to be the focal point.
Sim adds that the cosmic film is a "gorgeously animated love letter to Mario fans."
Gaming content creator Sophie Keen, known online as Cadaea, told beat that she views The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as a positive additional storyline for fans.
"I see it as a nice extra," says Keen.
Keen expressed a preference for Galaxy over the first film, citing its "loads of funny moments" and "cute, wholesome moments."
"If you like the first film, you probably will like the second," she explains. "The only thing I really want people to know is that it's not a perfect 100% adaptation of the game. Don't expect the exact same plot to come out, just take it as a nice addition to Mario lore."
Nintendo's future
Nintendo, arguably the world’s most renowned video game company, has been expanding into other entertainment sectors in recent years.
Following the two Mario movies, a film based on The Legend of Zelda is scheduled for release next year, with plans reportedly underway for an animated adaptation of Donkey Kong.
The company has also launched Mario-themed attractions at several Universal Studios resorts, alongside a series of Nintendo-branded merchandise stores in Japan and the United States.
While Nintendo continues to generate most of its revenue from video games, some fans have expressed disappointment over the absence of a new 3D Mario game this year.
For Keen, the movie serves as "a nice way to keep the fans happy" while they await the next game release.
Additional reporting by Tom Richardson and Peter Gillibrand
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