Super Mario Galaxy Movie: A Polarizing Cinematic Experience
As I entered the cinema with my children during the Easter break to watch the new Super Mario Galaxy movie, I prepared for the worst. Critics have delivered memorably dire reviews, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw labeling it worse than AI and Empire describing it as a "humourless, hysterical trudge." This sequel has faced even more vilification than the first Mario film, which was also widely panned by film critics.
A Lifelong Fan's Perspective
As a lifelong Nintendo enthusiast—I literally wrote a book on the company—I hoped my inner Mario-loving child might override my critical faculties, as it did with the first movie. That film struck me as perfectly acceptable, unlike the active offense taken by many critics. Audience ratings often diverged sharply from review scores, suggesting a divide. Could this sequel truly be that much worse?
Here's the reality: it's not great. Instead of building on the already thin plot of the first movie, it launches into an unrelated caper. Mario, Luigi, and Peach—now joined by Yoshi, voiced by Donald Glover in a role limited to variations of "YOSHI!"—zoom through the galaxy in search of star princess Rosalina. The film is powerfully bright and colorful, with nearly every scene featuring action-packed sequences where characters take on the Koopa kingdom. However, jokes are scarce, and the main comic relief from the first movie, Jack Black's Bowser, feels disappointingly defanged.
Audience Reactions and Critical Shortcomings
My children adored it, as would any child who appreciates Nintendo's charm. This audience doesn't need convincing of Mario's innate appeal. Yet, I found myself less forgiving of the film's extreme shallowness this time around. The first movie at least offered a fresh Mario origin story, whereas this sequel presents nothing new. It seems desperate to showcase familiar elements, like brief appearances of Pikmin or Birdo, in hopes of eliciting nostalgic applause while masking its blandness.
For viewers without affection for the Mario universe or knowledge of its characters, this film could be intolerable—a barrage of inconsequential events that fail to engage. However, it doesn't aim to introduce or deepen Nintendo characters; frankly, most lack depth (with exceptions like Link and Zelda, perhaps future movie subjects). It assumes audiences already know these quirky characters, a reasonable expectation given Mario's nearly billion games sold over 40 years.
Sincere Affection Amidst Flaws
The only evident humanity in this film lies in its sincere affection for the Mario universe. Dialogue and performances offer little, with Seth Rogen's phoned-in Donkey Kong replaced by even more bored-sounding cameos. Yet, the creators, including many from Nintendo, care deeply about getting the details right. From spinning star-launchers from the Galaxy games to cute 2D sequences reminiscent of Super Mario Bros 3, everything looks and sounds authentic. There is love here, if you look for it. Unlike the hypnotic childslop of Cocomelon, which venerates nothing, this movie cannot be accused of laziness with its source material.
Exploitation and Commercial Concerns
What truly offends me is when companies manipulate the love we feel for video games or any art form. For instance, the endless barrage of Pokémon 30th anniversary content felt like an attempt to weaponize millennial nostalgia to sell expensive products like £570 Lego sets. Nintendo walks a fine line, mining its back catalogue and monetizing successful characters without overdoing it. The company masterfully blends play with capitalism, using delightful and innovative games to offset any sense of exploitation for players.
However, this movie veers dangerously close to an advert, making me feel exploited. One character cameo embodies this: Fox McCloud from the long-dormant Star Fox series appears for a few scenes with no narrative reason, likely to advertise an upcoming Nintendo announcement and introduce younger audiences to a forgotten character.
Respect for Young Audiences
As a grown adult, I recognize that little kids are easier to exploit. This Mario movie doesn't respect children's curiosity and intelligence like the games do. It is passive and anaesthetizing, whereas the games are active and engaging. Children deserve good stories and films as much as—if not more than—adults, and these Mario movies fall short, feeling more akin to Paw Patrol than Pixar.
Sometimes, vociferous reactions to video game adaptations from movie critics carry a whiff of cultural snobbery. But this time, Nintendo experts and film reviewers can align on why the Mario Galaxy movie is disappointing. I hope future Nintendo movies can feel as enriching as the games for young minds, offering more depth and respect for their audience.
