The sequel doesn’t exactly push boundaries, but it
accomplishes what it was made for: Make a whole lot of money and leave
audiences entertained enough to show up for the next, expected film.
Everyone is back, in front of the camera and behind
it. Directors Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, and Pierre Leduc maintain the smooth,
colorful visual created in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which made over 1.3
billion at the global box office. The returning voice cast, including Chris
Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Charlie Day, and Keegan-Michael Key, fall
comfortably back in character, while new cast Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Donald
Glover, and Glen Powell expand the franchise without ruining it.
The story starts with Princess Rosalina (Larson) being
captured by Bowser Jr. (Safdie), starting the film off for a galaxy-traveling
rescue. Tom Santilli said in his review, “Bowser (Black), now miniaturized and
imprisoned by Mario (Pratt) and Luigi (Day), looms as an inevitable wildcard.” Along
the way, the brothers find Yoshi (Glover), adding another part of nostalgia for
longtime fans, while Peach (Taylor-Joy) and Toad (Key) remain steady supportive
characters.
As expected, the film is filled with so many fast
Easter eggs and references that come from decades of Mario history. Fans will
enjoy it. At the same time, the story remains simple enough to keep younger
audiences and non-gamers hooked without confusion.
Santilli said, “Where the film comes up short is in
its lack of ambition. Nintendo continues to treat these characters as
untouchable icons rather than evolving protagonists. No one really struggles.
No one meaningfully changes. Bowser gets the closest thing to development, but
even that feels surface-level. The result is a film that’s polished and
entertaining, yet dramatically flat.”
That said, there’s something strangely fitting with that
task. Like the games themselves, this is made just to escape into it. Santilli
noted, “It’s colorful, fast-moving, and easy to consume. And while it may feel
outdated compared to something like “The LEGO Movie” or the “Sonic the
Hedgehog” films, it still delivers exactly what its audience expects.”
If anything, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” slightly
makes it better than the first film by expanding the Nintendo universe in ways
that feel living. With decades of source material still untouched, don’t expect
them to change anytime soon. Santilli is right when he said, “Nintendo isn’t
chasing innovation here.” They’re giving fans exactly what they want, and right
now, that’s enough.
Glen Powell voices Fox McCloud from the Star Fox games, who I thought was
either George Clooney or Kurt Russell. Luis Guzmán voices Wart, Kevin Michael
Richardson returns as Kamek (sounding like Peter Lorre), and R.O.B., the SNES
Super Scope, and Mr. Game and Watch make an appearance here. Overall, I think
this is a fine sequel. The first one is better, but I’m glad I saw this sequel.
If you haven’t seen it yet, and you have Peacock, I would recommend this. If
anyone were to ask me if I wanted to see this sequel again, I would probably
say yes. There’s nothing in here that is terrible or bad, but I would call this
one of those middle of the road sequels that I think everyone will enjoy just
fine. Stay for a funny mid credits and post credits scene that is sure to set
up a third film.
Thank you for joining in on this review tonight. Stay
tuned this Friday to see what I will be reviewing this month.
