All Photographs: Universal Pictures
We all search for nostalgia to relive those first days of experiencing something we truly loved or enjoyed. We search for it in games, music, movies, TV shows and pretty much anywhere else we can find it. Of course, this means the movie companies are always trying to tap into that nostalgia and bring us those experiences in a new and exciting way. The most recent of these nostalgia bombs is of course the new Super Mario Bros. movie. We watched this latest trip down memory lane and are here to tell you what we thought, without spoiling the bigger parts for you.
As long as you haven’t been living under a rock for the last 40 or so years, you’re probably familiar with the two lovable plumbers, Mario and Luigi. From his debut on the NES in 1983, Mario has been an absolute sensation all across the world. You’ve probably played one of the countless games he’s been in, like the groundbreaking Mario 64 or, maybe you’ve witnessed friendships and families torn apart by such games as Mario Party or Mario Kart. Maybe you’ve explored breathtaking new worlds through the likes of Super Mario Odyssey, Paper Mario or Super Mario Sunshine. Whichever Mario media you’ve consumed or lack thereof, you’re most likely familiar with him and his many supporting characters, like Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong and much more. It’s a wonder why this movie hasn’t come out sooner. It might be because Nintendo’s first shot at a Super Mario Bros. movie in 1993 was an absolute flop at the box office. Thankfully Nintendo’s given it another shot 30 years later and we finally get a chance to catch Mario and all his friends and foes on the big screen once again.
This movie is a production of Illumination Studios who you may be familiar with from other titles such as the Despicable Me franchise, The Secret Life of Pets and the new Grinch remake, to name a few. It was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the guys who developed the Teen Titans Go! series. But, when it comes to the people behind the movie that really make it shine, we turn to the voice cast.
The movie is absolutely stacked with household names like Chris Pratt (Mario), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Seth Rogan (Donkey Kong) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Peach). The incredible voice cast truly gives personality and life to these already much-loved characters and really makes the movie a fun and enjoyable experience.
Of course, the incredible voice casting isn’t the only thing that makes this movie worth watching. While the story at times may leave a bit to be desired, the animation more than makes up for it. The world of Super Mario truly comes to life on the screen through the amazing visuals. You’ll experience an adventure that makes you feel like you’re really in a Super Mario game. You’ll visit places like the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser’s Castle, Rainbow Road and more. Also, if you grew up playing the games that many of us did, there’s loads of fun Easter eggs and references to really scratch that nostalgia itch. Overall, it’s just a fun and feel-good movie that will keep you engaged throughout.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is perfect for families that want to take their kids for a weekend trip to the movies, Mario fans or even people who just want to enjoy a Saturday afternoon at the cinema. With us finally having the opportunity to go to the cinema, it’s definitely worth the trip. The movie is being shown all over the city so there’s plenty of places to join Mario and Luigi on their epic adventure.
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