Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.
Following up on the 2023 megahit “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” Illumination and Nintendo return to adapt one of the franchise’s most beloved entries: 2007’s Super Mario Galaxy.
This is what a video game adaptation is supposed to feel like. Within the first few minutes, I had a feeling this was going to be special. By the end, I was sitting there wondering if “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” just set a new bar for video game movies.
As I watched this world come alive in a new medium, the word that repeatedly emerged to the front of my mind was “magical.” It’s excellently paced, constantly engaging, and there’s always something on screen that makes you stop and think, “gosh, what a gorgeous film” or “how does this animation look this good?”
I loved jumping back into the Galaxy universe for a lean, mean 98-minute adventure. I’ve played both games multiple times, so seeing such a specific and beloved part of Mario’s lore adapted this well honestly feels surreal. I can’t believe we live in a timeline where this exists and actually works.
What impressed me most is that it doesn’t just faithfully adapt Galaxy, it expands on it in ways that feel fresh but still true to what made it special. That’s exactly what you want from something like this.
The story is simple, but it hits. It’s about family, about going to the ends of the universe for the people you love, and it’s handled in a way that feels accessible without losing heart. It balances being a fun adventure for newer fans while still giving longtime fans plenty to connect with across decades of Mario history.
The cameos from across the Nintendo universe are handled far better than I expected. They’re not just quick background nods; they actually get moments to shine through comedy or action. There’s one character in particular from a franchise that’s been quiet for a while who plays a meaningful role, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this ends up boosting their popularity or even leading to something bigger down the line. I would bet a new mainline game announcement is already on the horizon for this character. Textbook corporate synergy, and it works.
I’m already eager to watch “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” again. It’s just such an easy, fun experience that really does have something for everyone. It’s entertaining, funny, visually insane, and it clearly understands exactly what its fan base wants.
In Theaters Wednesday, April 1st
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