"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" only managed to let the video game's fans down

With millions of lifelong fans of the mushroom kingdom eagerly anticipating the release of "The Super Mario Bros Movie,” the film had a lot riding on its shoulders. The Mushroom Kingdom, with its mystical and cartoonish landscapes, has always been a world best told through video games. So can it be translated to the big screen? The answer is complicated. While the movie doesn't quite meet all expectations, it’s not a total disaster. There’s light-hearted humor, charming visuals, and an element of nostalgia that can take anyone right back to sitting on their friend’s couches in fifth grade while they picked their character in Mario Kart.

It’s clear that “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was made with kids in mind. While some family-friendly movies manage to somewhat cater to all age groups, this film definitely prioritized the 12-and-under population. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — there’s a place for movies aimed at kids, and Mario has always been beloved by kids first and foremost. However, it resulted in both the story and the humor being simplistic and generic. It relies on slapstick and overdone gags that could be funny, but instead comes across as a little overdone. So, while the movie may be a hit for someone’s little brother’s 10th birthday, older viewers are bound to find themselves feeling understimulated.

One of the biggest letdowns of the movie was its casting. Rather than prioritizing finding actors who could truly embody the iconic characters of the video game franchise, the film makers seemed to focus more on securing A-List celebrities to boost the film’s box office numbers. Unfortunately, this decision backfired, as the characters felt like shadows of their video game counterparts. Chris Pratt, who played Mario, delivered a performance that lacked any trace of Mario's classic overdone Italian accent (besides one throwaway joke), instead sounding exactly like every other character Pratt has ever played. It’s a shame the filmmakers didn't prioritize finding actors who could bring these beloved characters to life, instead of going for the easy cash grab of casting big names. The only exception to this was Jack Black, who embraced his role as Bowser and delivered a truly entertaining performance.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was a missed opportunity to bring the beloved characters and fantastical world of the video games to the big screen. While the movie was generally engaging and had its moments, it ultimately just fell short. The uncreative humor and lackluster performances from the celebrity cast made the film feel like a half-hearted attempt to cash in on the franchise’s popularity. All in all, while the movie may be a fun watch for die-hard fans, it’s certainly not worth the $16 dollar price tag for a theater ticket. Instead, save your money and wait for it to become available to stream at home. Ultimately, it’s sad to say “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was a super letdown, and let’s hope that any potential sequels learn from the mistakes made in the first attempt.