*SPOILERS*
4 out of 5 stars
Recently, I have been enjoying various Mario or Luigi games on my Nintendo Switch, from Mario Kart to Mario Party Superstars to Luigi’s Mansion. When the trailer for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” was released, I had never been more excited to go see a movie in theaters before.
Roadhouse Cinemas offered specialty drinks and food exclusively for the movie that could be enjoyed by all ages. I tried the Colorado Sunrise which was a twist to a tequila sunrise that was a specialty for Peach.
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ stars Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy as Mario and Peach respectively as they race to save Luigi (Charlie Day) and the Mushroom Kingdom where Peach and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) reside. Along the way, they have to recruit the Kong army to fight and defeat Bowser (Jack Black) and his army.
Bowser has captured innocent characters that he plans to sacrifice for Peach, the love of his life who he hopes to marry. The band of heroes find out that in order to defeat Bowser, a powerful star must be taken away from his possession and be used against him.
This movie offers comedic and emotional connections between characters as they embark on their journey to save their friends and loved ones. The brotherly connection between Mario and Luigi was present from beginning to end, and the story emphasized how they will always be by each other’s side.
Even during the more intense, action-packed sequences in the film, the smaller, funnier moments stood out. The work of the cast is immaculate, from the beginning when Mario and Luigi get their first job that turns to disaster to Bowser singing a song for Peach. I don’t usually laugh out loud during movies, especially at the theater, but when watching this film, I couldn’t help it.
Although the movie is rated PG, Mario fans of any age would enjoy this adventurous comedy exploring the journey of friends saving their loved ones. I hope the directors intend on making a sequel. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy playing my own adventures with Mario, Luigi and Peach as I scour through mansions or race to earn as many stars as I can to become “The Superstar.”
Super Mario Bros. Movie. Graphic by Neako Hallisey.