The Super Mario Bros. Movie review Roundup: Too Big to Fail?

To say that The Super Mario Bros. Movie was highly anticipated would be the greatest understatement of all time. It had been decades since the Big N had loosened the reigns on its marquee mascot and allowed tinsel town to fondle it. When you look back on what Hollywood produced the first time around, you can understand Nintendo's reluctance. But, for some reason, they decided to trust Illumination (you know...those minions guys) to bring the Mushroom Kingdom back to the big screen. Was it a successful return? Here's the review roundup: 

Continue below for the written version.

LA TIMES (KATIE WALSH)
'Fortunately, this loud, hectic movie doesn’t overstay its welcome, but it wouldn’t have the material to last a second longer. It’s bright, busy, inoffensive and exactly the opposite of the weird, dark, edgy 1993 movie adaptation. That may be better for the business of Mario, but it’s not exactly terribly interesting either. “Wahoo!”? Not quite.'

For the full review please visit here.

BBC (Nicholas Barber)
'The film-makers are obviously so sure that they have a can't-fail franchise on their hands that they haven't even bothered with world-building. No doubt their confidence is justified. The Super Mario Bros Movie will probably make a fortune, because it is harmless and colourful enough to be almost adequate as an Easter holiday time-passer for small children. Any adults accompanying those children may wish they were watching the Hoskins and Leguizamo film instead.'

For the full review please visit here.

VARIETY (Owen Gleiberman)
'There have been approximately 50 movies based on video games, and most of them are terrible. I’ve had limited patience even for the ones that “work,” like the coolly depersonalized “Resident Evil” series or that first “Lara Croft” film. Mario presides over a digital playground that lifts the spirit to a place of split-second wonder, and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” stays true to that. Its ingenuity is infectious. You don’t have to be a Mario fan to respond to it, but the film is going to remind the millions who are why they call it a joystick.'

For the full review please visit here.

THE WRAP (Lex Briscuso)
'ultimately, the animated adventure is an exciting thrill ride through some of the most beloved realms in the gaming world. It’s hard not to fall in love with a film so earnest and proud of its origins. It’s fast, fun, and certainly never boring to look at—a compliment well paid to the film’s production design team, as well as the writers and directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. The Illumination team came together as a whole to produce a movie worthy of standing toe to toe with Mario’s storied legacy and, for the most part, the film does just that.'

For the full review please visit here.

ROGEREBERT.COM (Brian Tallerico)
'There are so few actual decisions made in the construction of this film. It’s just a collection of visual and character references cobbled together to form a 92-minute movie. Take a risk. Just do something. Anything. It got me thinking about the fun spin-offs that could exist, like a “Mad Max: Fury Road” version of the “Mario Kart” sequence that gets energy out of non-stop motion. Or a version that unpacks like “The LEGO Movie” that's more sharply aware of its references and world-building—something that even incorporates the player like that movie does in the end. I swear that almost everyone who has played a game like “Odyssey” could come up with something more inventive. Heck, almost any ten minutes of that game is more creative.'

​For the full review please visit here.

GAMEXPLAIN (VIDEO REVIEW)

In the end, the film amassed a average score of 55% from 104 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. ​Not quite destined to take home the Oscars next year, but this highlights the classic dilemma of 'fan vs critic' that animators sometimes face when adapting a beloved franchise from another medium. Could Illumination have done more to incorporate those that have never played a Mario game? Perhaps...But, if the majority of its rabid fan base feels connected to your work and gives it a thumbs up...one could call that a success. 

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