"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" delivers a buoyant, 98-minute family adventure that captures the game's sense of wonder while adding surprising emotional notes, notably Bowser and Bowser Jr.'s roles as painters. The film balances playful spectacle with a stronger-than-expected family thread, a lively voice cast led by Jack Black, Brie Larson and Donald Glover, and a clever retro 8-bit sequence. Heavy franchise merchandising occasionally distracts, but overall it’s an entertaining ride for fans and families.
Movie Review: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — A Bright, Whimsical Ride With Surprising Heart
This image released by Universal Pictures shows, from left, Luigi, voiced by Charlie Day, Mario, voiced by Chris Pratt, Yoshi, voiced by Donald Glover, and Princess Peach, voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy, in a scene from "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." (Nintendo and Illumination/Universal Pictures via AP)
There are certain pleasures you can count on in a Super Mario Galaxy film: the arrival of the ethereal Princess Rosalina, tender moments with the glowing Lumas, and gravity-defying hops between planets courtesy of launch stars. "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," which opens in theaters Wednesday, leans into that sense of wonder while adding a few unexpected touches and emotional beats.
Most delightfully, the film reframes Bowser (Jack Black) and his overlooked son Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) as painters. Bowser uses art almost therapeutically while confined at toy-size in Princess Peach's castle, and Bowser Jr. paints with destructive intent, hoping to win his father’s approval by seizing the galaxy. Those scenes supply surprising warmth and a quirky family drama that complements the movie’s playful tone.
Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) is given a quieter subplot about her origins, while Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) remain uncomplicated, cheerful companions who keep the adventure moving without heavy introspection. Producers Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri, along with returning directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and writer Matthew Fogel, prioritize buoyant storytelling and visual spectacle over deep character deconstruction — a choice that suits the franchise’s spirit.
The voice cast adds fresh energy: Brie Larson voices Rosalina (occasionally echoing Peach’s tonal cadence) and Donald Glover brings a rowdy, crowd-pleasing take on Yoshi that’s likely to be a fan favorite. The film also rewards longtime players with Easter eggs and a striking sequence that integrates a retro 2D 8-bit rendering of Mario into the lush 3D world, celebrating the series’ history while embracing modern animation.
That said, the movie wears its commercial ambitions on its sleeve. Merchandise and franchise tie-ins are explicitly visible in the world — from Mario pajamas on a Toad to Bowser Jr.'s villain-branded bedroom — which occasionally pulls viewers out of the film’s dreamlike escape and into the realities of cross-promotion. The critique is fair but not fatal: children and fans will still find a lot to love.
Verdict
"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" is a bright, 98-minute family adventure that captures the whimsy of the games while adding unexpected emotional notes. It’s entertaining, occasionally indulgent in merch-friendly detail, and ultimately a fun, visually inventive ride.
Details: Rated PG for "rude humor, mild violence and action." Running time: 98 minutes. Review score: 2.5 out of 4 stars.
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