For players first loading up World one on one in Super Mario Bros. It’s hard to imagine that an eight bit plumber by the name of Mario would ever become the worldwide phenomenon he is today.

   Flash forward nearly 38 years, and not only is he a worldwide phenomenon, but the most recognizable figure in all of gaming. With an empire as large as his, it only made sense for the development team at Nintendo to continue his takeover across all mediums. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” provides audiences of all ages an hour and a half of fun and original Nintendo content, primarily enjoyable for fans of the Mario Bros. franchise.

   Bowser has taken over the Mushroom Kingdom and placed a dark curse over it, and only Princess Toadstool has the power to dispel the curse. However, she has been kidnapped by the evil king, so it is up to Mario to save her. 

   Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) team up for a quest that involves elements from several of the games, including Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, Super Mario 3D World, and more. The casting of Chris Pratt as Mario received quite the amount of backlash from fans, many of which took issue with his lack of Italian ethnicity, but luckily he delivered. 

   Although the characters’ personalities complement each other well, what sets them apart is how they deviate from their original game portrayal. For example, Princess Peach is characterized as a strong female lead as opposed to the helpless damsel in distress. Mario is the underdog who must face adversity and Bowser is more the merciless fire-breathing Koopa. It’s interesting to see a progressive and innovative approach to the characterization rather than strictly adhering to the video game’s character storyline. 

   As for the plot of the film, it falls short of delivering an impactful message. This film will be appreciated by children and true Nintendo fans who value the franchise. It offers a unique insight into a realm beyond our expectations.