The first cinematic animation for the world’s most famous plumber plays it affectionately safe – but innovatively so.
This vibrantly-colourful universe – complete with Easter eggs and retro Mario nods that fans will lap-up – won’t win any awards for it’s really basic ‘A to B’ storyline, but hits all the right blocks that will easily service its main demographic.
Nintendo (and Illumination Studios) seemingly had their back against the wall to satisfy die-hards, when Guardians of the Galaxy/Jurassic World lead Chris Pratt was hired to voice the esteemed title character – on top of the commercial failure of the 1993 film.
But only the most ardent fanbase would notice. And the original voice of Mario, Charles Martinet, cameos as his father in a honourable gesture anyway.
The story is extremely paint-by-numbers. The down-on-their-luck moustached Italian brother plumbing duo of Mario (Pratt) and Luigi (Horrible Bosses’ Charlie Day) get sucked into a mystical underground pipe in New York’s Brooklyn district – and end up separated.
Luigi arrives in the Bowser-controlled Dark Lands, where the monstrous fire-breathing king of the Koopas (voiced by Jack Black) has acquired the Super Star that could enable him to destroy all the surrounding worlds – unless his ‘love crush’ Princess Peach (The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy) agrees to marry him. Sounds familiar?
On the flip side, Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom where he meets the princess and movie-stealing Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) – and they must garner the support of the Jungle Kingdom’s leader Cranky Kong (Fred Armison) and his legendary son, Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen), to try and thwart Bowser’s impending attack.
And via multiple nods across all Super Mario Bros games – from the originals to World and Galaxy to Odyssey – and a sumptuously faithful soundtrack, Shigeru ‘Shigs’ Miyamato’s video-gaming franchise is breathtakingly brought to life.
There’s even a Super Mario Kart – the 1992 original is my favourite retro game of all-time – action sequence that spine-tinglingly evolves on the iconic Rainbow Road.
Whatever you think of the storyline, the fan service is absolutely spot on, with more familiar creatures and platforming superpowers – like Tanooki and Cat Mario suits – introduced in the first outing than expected. The team behind it go all-in on that front – there’s no blockages here.
For those expecting a Pixar or Lego-esque skewing animation that accommodates adults – with nuanced scripting and refined humour – then this absolutely won’t be for you.
It simply does what it does in an eclectically-radiant ‘straight line’ – in a bright and breezy ninety minutes – and the kids will love it.
My nine-year-old boy, Joshua, absolutely did and gave it five stars.
As Mario famously says: Mamma Mia!
ESP Rating: 3.5/5
Gavin Miller
Joshua Miller, Gavin’s nine-year-old son.
ESP Rating: 5/5
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Voice Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Charlie Day, Fred Armisen, Sebastian Maniscalco and Charles Martinet
Running Time: 1 Hr 32 Mins
Directors: Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic
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