Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie returns with vibrant visuals and energetic animation, combining the charm of the beloved franchise with new characters and space adventures. However, the film’s familiar plot and cautionary tale make it an entertaining but ultimately forgettable sequel.
three years later super mario bros movie Nintendo’s mascot turned into a $1.3 billion global company, Mario is back super mario galaxy movie. This time with expectations of conquering galaxies and matching them. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Zelenik, the sequel aims to be bigger, louder, and more elaborate. But is it worth the hype?
The film begins with Bowser (voiced by Jack Black) being shrunk to pocket size and thrown into prison, only for his son, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), to engineer a jailbreak that spirals into a space chase. Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are joined by Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), while new members include Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Rosalina (Brie Larson). Todd (Keegan-Michael Key) returns with Wart (Luis Guzman).
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Visual leaps cannot be ruled out. The space setting allows for vibrant, dynamic set-pieces that feel ripped straight from the console, as it is colourful, fast-paced and constantly energetic. The introduction of Yoshi injects a welcome charm, while Rosalina adds a layer of mystery that the franchise previously lacked.
But beyond the spectacle, the film struggles to tell a story. The plot, essentially a chase across planets with a “save the kingdom” template, feels thin and overly familiar. There are flashes of humor and some clever gags, yet very little time remains after the credits start rolling. The emotional beats, especially Peach’s backstory thread, feel more like obligations than organic storytelling.
What worked surprisingly well about the first film was its simplicity, but interestingly it becomes a limitation here. The intention to expand the lore in the sequel is clear, but it is bound by its own safety-first approach. Nintendo’s tight grip on its IP ensures visual fidelity, but it also results in a film that rarely takes creative risks. The result is spectacular, enjoyable, and somewhat forgettable.
The tone of the film seems to be borrowed from everything we’ve seen before in this genre. It echoes familiar beats from space opera and superhero spectacles, making narrative choices that make the central conflict feel less urgent, with Bowser Jr. emerging as a serviceable but not particularly compelling adversary.
That said, the film is not without its crowd-pleasing highs. The pace is fast, the animation is consistently engaging, and the nostalgia factor carries a lot of weight. Ultimately, Super Mario Galaxy the Movie feels like a film designed to complement the franchise, not redefine it, and that’s both its strength and its biggest flaw.
In its attempt to go big, Mario’s latest outing forgets to delve deeper. The result is a visually dazzling sequel that entertains momentarily but rarely sticks the landing.