Nintendo’s biggest star has his first sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
After saving the world and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) from Bowser (Jack Black), brothers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) returned to plumbing. However, their latest call delivers a surprise: they find a Yoshi (Donald Glover) clogging the pipes. In the meantime, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) is determined to rescue his father from his small castle prison. Unfortunately, part of his plan includes kidnapping Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson). When a Luma asks Peach for help, she and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) set off on a rescue mission.
This film includes even more throwbacks to the Super Mario games than the first movie. They range from well-placed sound effects to full screen recreations of specific game scenes. In addition, this picture incorporates many classic power-ups and villains.
Unfortunately, the film’s heavy-handed efforts to create all these wonderfully nostalgic moments is at the expense of the narrative. The film is fun at times, but it’s also boring. The story continually loses steam in between all the entertaining elements. Toad and Bowser remain the film’s comedic drivers, but they can only do so much.
There are mid- and post-credit scenes, the best of which features the adorably nihilistic blue Luma.
Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic and Pierre Leduc
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Pratt and Jack Black
