“The game is faithful, but the movie’s story is weak.” This criticism defines the weakness too broadly. The Super Mario Bros. Movie clearly tells the story of an older brother trying to save his younger sibling. The problem is that it rarely gives the brothers time to be together.
Mario and Luigi, who started their careers as plumbers in Brooklyn, enter a strange world and become separated. Mario’s determination to find his captured brother is immediately conveyed to the audience, even those who have never played the game. However, the film quickly moves on, focusing on training, confrontations, and chases, leaving the two characters apart.
That momentum was quite enjoyable, and especially during the training where Mario repeatedly failed in front of obstacles, I was eagerly awaiting the next challenge. More than the fun of recognizing familiar objects, I first felt a sense of encouragement for someone who, despite lacking skill, doesn’t give up. It’s a film about brothers, but the regret that their shared commute time is too short is even greater.
I like that this movie makes me root for Mario, even when he fails. However, for an adventure that starts with brotherhood, they separate the brothers for too long.
The problem is not that there is no story, but that the brothers do not have time to meet
The film, while not lacking in events, takes brotherly love as its starting point but gives the two little time to act together.
For Mario, Luigi is not a stranger he needs to seek out for a mission. He is Mario’s younger brother, with whom he started his plumbing career in Brooklyn. Even before they parted ways after passing through that strange pipe, the two brothers had plans to build a life together.
Therefore, the decision to change the rescue target from Princess Peach to Luigi is a good one. No lengthy explanation is needed to answer the question of why take such a risk. There is someone over there that Mario wants to return to and work with again.
I believe this simple reason is what makes the adventures so compelling. Saving the kingdom is a grand task, but rescuing one’s younger sibling is something much more personal. Even without knowing the rules of the game, one understands why the older brother must hurry.
However, understanding the reason to rescue someone is different from simply liking to see two people together. The former can be conveyed just by the initial need. The latter requires time for them to be afraid together, help each other, and respond to each other.
The movie does not allow for much time. Mario learns from Peach, the leader of the Mushroom Kingdom, confronts Donkey Kong, and moves forward. Luigi, who is captured by Bowser, cannot directly participate in his brother’s adventures.
As a result, Mario’s true character is repeatedly revealed through his actions. On the other hand, the nature of the relationship between the brothers can only be understood by looking back at their interactions before they became separated. While there is a younger brother who worries about his older brother, and an older brother who is looking for his younger brother, there are few moments when either of them changes because of the other.
It is not about blaming the choice to separate them. Rescue stories always begin with the loss of someone. The problem is that the longer the time that passes, the stronger the feelings of wanting to reunite must become.
The time to deepen that feeling is short compared to how quickly new companions and new obstacles accumulate. Mario’s journey continues, while the relationship between the brothers awaits their next encounter. I am more eager to see the moment when they can move forward together again than I am for the success of the rescue.
So, where does the power come from that makes us keep rooting for this awkward older brother even as he runs without his younger sibling?
The one that keeps falling, Mario, is the most reliable
The training scenes are good because they turn the game’s retries into part of Mario’s character. Even just seeing him repeatedly fail in front of obstacles makes me want to cheer him on.
The rules of this unfamiliar world, as Peach explains, are still difficult for Mario. His body doesn’t always cooperate, and his attempts at challenges invariably end in failure. Nevertheless, he starts again.
Here, the important thing is the sequence of repeated failures. The movie first shows that Mario is unskilled, and then it shows that he does not give up. He becomes trustworthy not because he is skilled, but because he does not run away even when he is not good at something.
In a game, when I fail, I try again myself. In the movie, I observe what Mario does after his failure. This makes me wait for the next attempt without giving me a controller.
I found myself drawn more to those who, after failing, tried again, rather than those who succeeded brilliantly the first time. There’s something strangely endearing about someone who, despite having every reason to quit, chooses to try again. That same force lends strength to his promise to save his younger brother.
This scene does not separate training from rescue operations. Because he is someone who will not give up even when faced with a single obstacle, it is believed that he will not easily abandon the task of finding his younger sibling. While he may not completely fill the void left by his brother, he certainly provides a reason to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Familiar game elements are also present in Rainbow Road. In the rainbow-colored aerial road where the karts are racing, items and chases are intertwined in a single event. Just as you are about to rejoice at finding a familiar item, the next danger arrives.
A kart is not an item to be displayed; it is a vehicle that must be operated immediately. Items are not something to be identified through a quiz, but rather tools to be used in pursuit. What matters is not what you recognize, but how you escape the current situation.
From practicing for the driver’s license to learning about road chases, the training program is very comprehensive for beginners.
In training, we encourage those who persevere, and in pursuit, we hope they overcome the challenges. The enjoyment of a movie isn’t solely because it resembles a game. It’s enjoyable because it attaches a reason to Mario’s familiar actions.
If a falling body elicits laughter, then the voice that tries again makes us root for him.
Voice gives more life to beginners than to heroes
The voices of Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy highlight the learners’ efforts rather than the heroes’ coolness. The contrast between Peach’s skillful guidance and Mario’s awkward following gives the audience someone to root for.
The voice of Pratt, who plays Mario, is closer to everyday conversation than the short exclamations in the game. Even with repeated training, his voice does not portray Mario as a protagonist of great destiny. It stays beside the plumber, who tries again even when his body does not move as he intends.
I believe this is a good choice. A brief, welcoming voice is different from a voice that you want to follow throughout the adventure. Pratt, rather than imitating a familiar sound, allows room for embracing Mario’s urgency and perseverance.
Therefore, the failure of the training does not end with mere physical comedy. Even if the sight of someone falling down is amusing, it does not make the person who is trying again seem ridiculous. Even without grand declarations of saving their sibling, their efforts inspire confidence.
Taylor-Joy, who voices Pitch, on the other hand, lends her voice to someone who already knows this unfamiliar world well. During the obstacle course demonstration, Pitch’s skillful movements and unwavering guidance work in tandem. Even while Mario is struggling, Pitch knows what needs to be done.
This difference does not belittle Mario. Because he learns things that Peach easily masters, his subsequent attempts after failure are all the more remarkable. The choice to portray their relationship as that of a novice and a guide, rather than a romance, further emphasizes this point.
If Peach’s voice had been as flustered as Mario’s, the training standards would have been blurred. Taylor Joy maintains her role as a guide, creating a space where even Pratt’s inexperience is acceptable. Because one person is skilled, the efforts of others become visible.
Charlie Day, who plays Luigi, portrays the character’s anxiety about the unfamiliar world, but he has limited opportunities to interact with his brother and share moments together.
In “Peaches,” Jack Black, who plays the conqueror Bowser, undercuts his menacing voice with over-the-top wooing, turning his desire to possess Peach into comedy.
The voice that threatened the kingdom works overtime courting Peach at the piano.
In the song, I burst out laughing too. The clash between Bowser’s enormous body and his earnest courtship made him seem not like the villain I knew from the game, but like a ridiculous figure right before my eyes.
If a familiar character whose voice and songs are familiar is given a new source of fun, to what extent is the criticism that the game elements are overused justified?
Making fans happy does not make something an advertisement
I disagree with the criticism that views this movie as a “long advertisement.” However, the joy of recognizing familiar elements does not fill the void left by the brothers.
Critic James Berardinelli criticized the film, which evokes the nostalgia of older games, calling it “akin to a long advertisement.” While it is true that the film showcases many things that fans will appreciate, simply showing something does not differentiate an advertisement from a story.
My criteria are based on what those objects and actions make the character do. If the enjoyment is only at the moment of discovery and then ends, I would have agreed with that criticism. Here, the familiar game scenes also create a reason to cheer for Mario.
Let’s recall the training. The action of overcoming obstacles was taken from the game, but the choice to return despite repeated failures reveals Mario’s character. I saw not the recreation of the obstacle itself, but the person standing before it again and again.
The chase on Rainbow Road is the same. The karts and items do not stop for players to identify them. In situations where players must avoid danger and move forward, each of them does what it needs to do.
Simply grouping these scenes as a list of products would miss the actual impact of the film. What is familiar and welcome, and what is useful within the scene, coexist simultaneously. There is no need to erase that usefulness simply because it pleased the fans.
In 1993, the live-action version of “Super Mario” significantly transformed the bright game world into a dark setting featuring dinosaurs and a cityscape. The 2023 version, conversely, brings back familiar colors, characters, and game moves. I welcome this choice.
However, changing the original work extensively does not necessarily deepen the characters. Even if it is faithfully translated, the relationship between the brothers does not automatically become stronger. Ultimately, whichever approach is taken, it should encourage the audience to support the characters within that world.
My complaint isn’t that the Mushroom Kingdom is too familiar; it’s that the older and younger brothers who navigate that kingdom have too few opportunities to interact with each other. Mario’s determination is evident, but the portrayal of the siblings working together is lacking.
Simply removing familiar elements will not solve this problem. What is needed is not new decorations, but time for the two people to be scared and move together. If the game scenes have already served their purpose, then the time allocated to the siblings is what needs to be addressed.
There are ample reasons to save the younger sibling, but there is insufficient time to spend together
Mario’s perseverance is built through action, but Luigi’s courage does not develop to the same extent. Therefore, the feeling of supporting the older brother is not strong enough to grow into support for both brothers.
Mario gets an opportunity to reveal himself each time he fails. He restarts his training, confronts the challenge, and ventures down a dangerous path. His feelings about finding his younger brother translate into action and choices.
Meanwhile, Luigi spends most of the middle of the film as a prisoner. His fearful appearance reveals how dangerous his situation is. However, there is a difference between seeing someone in a dangerous situation and witnessing their struggle to overcome their fear.
I do not believe that Luigi should be brave from the beginning. Because he is easily frightened, even small decisions can seem more significant. However, time is needed to see how he handles those decisions.
For a younger sibling who relies on their older sibling to change, there must be moments when they can make choices independently, without the older sibling’s influence. There must be a process of trying something even when it is scary, so that we look forward to the next action. The film gives us few opportunities to build that anticipation.
This is different from the criticism that Luigi’s change of heart is unreasonable. I understand the feelings that motivated him to show courage for his beloved brother. What I regret is that, despite understanding those feelings, I was not able to support him for as long as I would have liked.
Even if siblings are separated, there is a way to build a relationship. If the attitudes they learned from each other are reflected in their individual choices, then a relationship can be built. However, in this case, Luigi has less room to act independently compared to Mario’s progress.
Therefore, the reasons for waiting for their reunion are gradually changing. Initially, the hope was for the younger sibling to be safe, but later, the desire arose to see them together. Since the need for rescue is well understood, the feeling is now a desire to see the next stage of their relationship.
In my opinion, the short running time also contributed to this compression. In order to fit the training, confrontations, and chases within 92 minutes, there was likely less time for the brothers to interact. The price of choosing a fast-paced adventure fell on the two people closest to each other.
It is clear that the film’s short running time is an advantage, offering a sense of lightness. However, this does not compensate for the lack of content. If brotherhood was chosen as the reason for the adventure, then time must also be dedicated to exploring that relationship.
I waited for the next obstacle, but I was even more eager to hear the next part of the brothers’ conversation.
He created an older brother worth rooting for, but saved time that could have been spent running together
I disagree with the assessment that this movie only stops at showing gameplay. Mario, who repeatedly fails in his training, transcends being a familiar character and becomes someone you want to root for. Rainbow Road also transforms a familiar element into a real danger and a chase.
What I admire most is precisely that skill. In games, I challenge myself again and again, but in movies, we wait for Mario to step up again. Even without direct control, the anticipation for what comes next is what makes the transition from game to film worthwhile.
The score was reduced because, despite emphasizing brotherhood, the time the brothers spent together was cut short. The older brother’s perseverance steadily increased, while the younger brother’s courage quickly caught up. The reason for the rescue was clear, but the process of their relationship developing was brief.
If you want to experience the fun of Mario’s movements transforming into training and pursuit, I recommend it. For audiences looking for a short and cheerful family adventure, the 92 minutes will not be wasted. Even if you don’t know the game, you can follow the story by focusing on the older brother’s feelings as he searches for his younger sibling.
Conversely, if you expect a story where the siblings clash and change together, you may be disappointed. If you prefer a film where the characters’ transformations unfold gradually, my recommendation would be lower. The more you anticipate the time they spend together, the more frustrating the rapid pacing becomes.
When watching, pay attention to Mario’s next action after he fails, rather than the number of items. It is better to view Peach not as someone to be rescued, but as a guide who introduces a new world. In that case, the difference in their abilities becomes a reason to support Mario.
The next work to look at is the 1993 live-action film “Super Mario.” Rather than comparing which one is more like the game, it would be better to compare which one makes you root for the characters more. Ultimately, neither changing nor preserving the original can avoid that question.
My rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars. The adventures that encouraged me to embrace failure were enjoyable. After watching it, I felt that the time spent with the brothers was more regrettable than the Mushroom Kingdom. I wanted to see more of the time the brothers spent together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you enjoy it even if you don’t know the Mario game?
The story is straightforward: an older brother’s adventure to save his younger sibling. If you are familiar with the game, you can enjoy recognizing the background and items. If you are playing for the first time, it is better to observe how Mario reacts after failing, rather than trying to memorize the names.
Is this a film that directly adapts a specific Mario game?
This is not a direct adaptation of a specific game. It combines the world and mechanics of the Nintendo Mario series to create a story about the origins of the plumber brothers. The obstacle courses and kart racing sequences clearly demonstrate this difference.
What is different from the original story about rescuing the princess?
This time, it is Luigi who is the one to be rescued, not Peach. Peach is the leader of the Mushroom Kingdom and the guide who teaches Mario the rules. Because of this change, the reason why Mario is willing to take risks has become more personal, but the companionship between the brothers is becoming shorter.
Should you first view the 1993 live-action version?
First, there is no need to see it. The 2023 version begins with the ordinary plumber brothers entering a strange world. If you want to compare the two works, it is recommended to watch this movie first and then watch the live-action version.
Is this movie recommended as a family film to watch with children?
This film is recommended for families who want a short and cheerful adventure. The running time is 92 minutes, and the film features a rapid succession of training sequences, confrontations, and chases. However, the film focuses more on the excitement of the action than on the gradual development of the relationship between the brothers.
