Video game movies are in a very weird spot right now. After decades of inaccurate and cheesy adaptations ala Doom and Street Fighter, this genre has begun to shift. Nowadays, these films rely on a hyper-accurate approach that appeals to fans but also relies on making sure this IP is as profitable as possible for the general public.
In comparison to other video game adaptations, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie appeals purely to the built-in audience of the IP with a general disregard to general audiences. This is very much a movie “for the fans”, which works to the film’s favor and its detriment. Mario Galaxy works as a crowd-pleaser, especially for children and hardcore Nintendo fans. However, for people who aren’t fans of Mario, I wonder what they could possibly get out of this movie.
As a big Nintendo fan, I was able to appreciate the nonstop references and fast pacing. But I know that these are big flaws in the film, even if I can personally handle them. Don’t get me wrong, I still walked away from this movie with a smile on my face. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t consider Mario Galaxy a truly “good movie.” But depending on who you are, you may enjoy it. Your mileage will vary.
For the fans?
If we are being realistic, this film is deeply flawed even at a conceptual level. Yes, Mario games have never been focused on the story, but one would think that a movie adaptation would allow for something a bit more in-depth. This film is definitely a step above the first movie as it tries to create actual arcs for some characters, but it doesn’t really go all the way as it could have. I see glimpses of character development and motivation within Bowser and Peach, but it feels as though Nintendo and Illumination are pulling their punches in terms of developing these characters. I think that’s a shame.
This movie also has a major pacing problem. There is no time for anything to linger or breathe. I get this is a kids’ movie, but this seems fast even by those standards. The pacing worked for me within the context of a sleep-deprived midnight screening with my friends, but I think adult viewers will really struggle with it. If this movie is anything, it is overwhelming, in both a good and bad way. Had this movie been twenty minutes longer and trimmed some fat, I think it’d be much better off.
This movie is very tangential, always throwing something new at the wall every ten minutes and seeing what sticks. This works to the film’s benefit because it is trying to be an entertaining roller coaster ride first and foremost. However, this is also a hindrance because we never really get time to let anything linger. I think this is for the best, because the film doesn’t really try to tell a compelling story, but general audiences may not connect with this style of filmmaking.
The general audience problem
I keep bringing up the general audience, but that is because I truly don’t know what a non-Nintendo fan would get out of this. For me, someone who loves Nintendo, this was a fun, albeit shlocky, blast. For Joe Schmoe, I think this movie would be seen as a mess. So because of that, I’m not surprised at the low Rotten Tomatoes score.
At the end of the day, there’s truly not much to say about the Mario Galaxy movie. As a film, it’s inoffensive but unremarkable. It is heavily carried by its IP and fan service, with little for casual audiences to latch onto. There are certainly worse films to spend your time and money on, but this isn’t the best one. I feel as though I got everything I wanted out of it, but I will still acknowledge the film’s faults.
Why does it work?
If there’s anything worth watching the Mario Galaxy movie for, it is definitely the fan service. The film’s bread and butter is showcasing iconic Mario locations and characters, as well as a few cameos from other Nintendo characters. This is arguably the reason for this film’s existence, and I think it does a good job at appeasing longtime fans of the property.
However, this is why I say your mileage may vary when it comes to this film. Simply put, if you don’t care about Mario, odds are you will not enjoy this movie. For me personally, I feel the same way I did when I saw the first Mario movie. There certainly is a novelty to seeing all these lovingly crafted easter eggs on the big screen, but that cannot be the full package for an entire movie.
A theme park ride?
I won’t say the references didn’t work for me. My favorite sequence in this movie was the introduction of Star Fox. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Star Fox, as it was the first SNES game I ever played, and I have fond memories of it. I think Glenn Powell does a fantastic job portraying him, and he is definitely the most likable character. That said, is that nostalgic connection enough to make Mario Galaxy a great film?
The true highlight of this movie is the action sequences. The visuals are stunning and definitely a step up from Illumination’s other works, even if some characters fall into Illumination’s typical character designs. This movie is essentially wall-to-wall action, and most of the time, it’s a step up from your average animated kids movie. It’s also neat seeing Mario easter eggs lovingly animated on the silver screen.
This movie has incredible action sequences and loads of fun cameos, but that doesn’t make the movie truly good. I won’t act like I’m above it, but this is definitely the “theme park” cinema Scorsese warned us about. At the end of the day, this movie will leave most people with a smile, and I can’t really fault it for that.
