Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my Movie Review.
Back in three years ago, we’ve witnessed The Super Mario Bros Movie, and I gotta say, this movie was a HUGE DEAL for being the most anticipating film ever since Universal partnered with Nintendo for building a theme park based on Super Mario Bros both in US and Japan. As for me, I was anticipated to see it, aside our head scratching moment for how and why they cast Peter Quill as Mario. But even we looking back at this movie, despite their best effort to adapting the game with good presentation, some good jokes, surprising good characters and fun action scenes, it would’ve been greater to give us a lot of story, character and world development, due to lackluster writing. It didn’t matter either way, the movie made a HUGE gamble by earning $1.360B, and its not surprising that we the movie’s success, sequel will always be the calling card for today’s review.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is a 2026 animated adventure comedy video game film was, much like the first movie, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, produced by Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto, and written by Matthew Fogel.
After the partnership deal is on between Universal and Nintendo and before the release of the first movie, the current Nintendo (of Japan) president, Shuntaro Furukawa, expressed the interest that if the first movie is a success, they’ll make a butt load of sequels and a spin-offs. But of course, with a huge hit at the box-office of earning more than 1 BILLION dollars, their wish will be granted that sequel was on the work. From before, many people are expecting the sequel is gonna be about Mario with Wario (and Luigi vs Waluigi). But once we eventually watched Nintendo Direct, they announced the sequel… Is their take on Super Mario Galaxy? Yeah, when I saw their announcement, despite my anticipation to hopefully learn their mistakes from the writing, but Really? They skipped over almost every Mario games like Super Mario World and Super Mario Sunshine in favor of Galaxy?
Well before we start, I have a confession for you fans out there. I’ve never played Super Mario Galaxy. Yeah, back in my old days with Wii, I was pretty distracted over Super Smash Bros Brawl, but I’ve never touched upon Mario Galaxy. Although, im one of those lucky customers who bought a controversial limited time release of “Super Mario 3D All-Stars” (even I questioned Nintendo’s stupid method), it does contained Super Mario Galaxy (and no Galaxy 2), maybe il give it a shot if im in a mood.
So, with all that said, will Mario and his pals could save the galaxy from Bowser’s revenge, or is this feels like a meteor crash landing?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
Unlike the first Mario movie, I won’t do the comparison between the movie and the game, because, like I said in my short confession, I’ve never played Mario Galaxy. Anyway, you think they’ll learn their mistake to maybe have a new development, a new humor and a new subplot? Well, sadly no.
The movie begins in space with land like space station called “Comet Observatory” with the galaxy princess name Rosalina and children living stars called Lumas, they live peacefully that they love to have a bedtime stories where Mushroom Kingdom have been. That is until she’s under attack by Megaleg, piloted by none other than Bowser Jr. Though Rosalina tried her best to save herself and Lumas, but didn’t worked well that she gets kidnapped. Meanwhile in Mushroom Kingdom, we have Mario and Luigi, who are been in journey to solving problems around the land, including upon travel to Mexican themed town called “Tostarena Town”, due to disturbance from the temple. But upon inspection, they eventually found a lost dinosaur named Yoshi, who’s been said he was hatched out and briefly live in Brooklyn (you know, the city where Mario and Luigi used to live with their family?). After adopting Yoshi as their companion, they entered the festival of Peach’s anniversary of her arrival of Mushroom Kingdom. It wasn’t until one of the Lumas crash landed behind Peach’s castle, due to Rosalina sent one for alert that she’s kidnapped, leaving Peach and the main Toad going for the rescue, while Mario, Luigi and Yoshi are doing their own, with watching over the shrunken rehabilitated King Koopa himself, Bowser. But didn’t last long, as the UFO that its piloted by Bowser Jr. himself in demand to bring Bowser back, leaving a fight between 3 vs 1, while Peach’s castle got abducted, for brief moment. So its up to Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach and Toad on the way to save the galaxy for not only saving Rosalina, but also going after Bowser and Jr’s home planet called… Well “Planet Bowser” (feeding ego too much, King Koopa?) with a massive destruction cannon called “Boomsday Weapon” for not only destroy Mushroom Kingdom, but also the entire galaxy.
Now, it may sounds like another character in distress story that our heroes going not just rescue mission, but saving the whole galaxy for peace, which I find it to be pretty standard plot from the get-go we love to see. However, the movie does gave us some extra plot elements for some new developments like Peach’s possible connection with Rosalina and a chemistry between Bowser and his son, Junior. But sadly, all the good things came to at end quickly, because im sorry to say… It feels just like the same problem as the first movie, mainly for having a pacing problems, lackluster message, nonexistent narration, mish-mash world building, and some jokes sadly even more hit or miss than before. Its no surprising that the writing feels like a copy-paste issue from before. But another problem about this movie is that the title rather misleading. Sure we do have an adventure in the galaxy to boldly go where no heroes have gone before, but the Mario Galaxy part is only both the opening and the climax, instead, it leaning towards Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros 2 (aka Doki Doki Panic from Japanese version) and even Star Fox (more on the latter later). I mean, il give credit for paying homage to several Mario games for actions and other elements we can found references and Easter Eggs, but keep in mind, the movie is called “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”, because again, the title is lackluster that it doesn’t feel like we’re on an adventure in the whole Galaxy, but more of a same formula from previous film that the movie that it should’ve been called “The Super Mario Bros Second Movie” or maybe even “The Super Mario Odyssey Movie” (on second thought, skipping over World, Sunshine and Galaxy feels like crossing the line for the concept, eh?). Now you people are going to turning off my reviews with hate comments and death threats on me, this is ONLY MY OWN CRITICAL PART, sure its pretty lacking that they really need to learn their lesson from the previous film’s writing, but like before, it feels more of a “quality over novelty”, like we can turn off our criticisms’ mind to watch the movie for fun with humors, adventures and bunch of references and Easter Eggs from both Mario and Nintendo games, I mean, im sure kids are likely going into the quality over novelty, that’s the type that its understandable we can enjoy, even if the movie feels the same as before.
While it has SOME redeeming quality that I like to gave for the characters, references, homages and some okay jokes, but I just wish that, again, they really need to learn their lesson from the first film to give us a proper plot to understanding, but again, I kinda understand some people are defending this for the sake of “quality over novelty”, not just for the kids, but also for hardcore Mario fans out there. But again, its only my point of view of criticism.
The Animation
The movie’s budget is slightly higher than before with the cost of $110M, and I think its safe to say the animation is no stranger to be the highlight of this film’s budget.
For starters, the background of the world building from either Mushroom Kingdom and Gateway Galaxy look pretty standards, sure one of them is a colorful land with Toads, some dinosaurs and several locations that references from several Mario games that we all know like mushroom platforms, cloud level, water level and others. While the other one is the same world setting of Mushroom Kingdom, but for traveling trips, kinda like an airport with pipes for either the hangar or to the underground city, along with cubic casino run by King Wart from Super Mario Bros 2, but I will give credit for the latter that the setting in cubic casino is not only colorful, but also pretty good and unique for the action with various angles and a lot of struggle to dealing with those Ninjis act like securities. Aside the inclusion of Mexican themed town called Tostarena Town, which looks pretty nice and colorful, even for taking place in desert location of Mushroom Kingdom, they do have some locations based on Super Mario Galaxy, even if they put a bold name on the movie’s title, such as Comet Observatory, landscape-like space station run by Rosalina, which I find it to be pretty unique and fascinating, especially it also has a couple of shuttles, despite they can also using Launch Star, but I digress. And there’s Planet Bowser, which it may looks like volcanic land in Bowser’s inflatable of ego and menacing, but it does has cool and fun stuff they putted like theme parks, the surveillance room with 8-bit graphic and of course, a massive cannon of destruction “Boomsday Weapon”, while holding Rosalina in hostage for their setup of destroying the entire galaxy, quite over-the-top, but hey, gotta give credit for follow up from the game (sort of).
Of course, the animation effects are pretty good to go bigger and better (kinda) to adding more fun effects for the action with fires, more landscapes, the aforementioned unique ways in cubic casino and of course, the beauty view in space to make it more vibrant and colorful, even the world building and the settings are still looking good in vibrant, bright and colorful. Especially its also fun they also adding video game graphic in homage from their games like the aforementioned 8-bit and the 16-bit graphic for Super Mario World reference, let along with sound effects from the game that we all know. Of course, like the previous films, the character designs are pretty nice and followed from the game franchise, but with more expression to giving their personalities, sure some personalities either remains the same or even surprising new, still give nice and respectful credit for the designs to be respectfully representing from the game, especially with, again, giving us some fun Easter Eggs to pointing out.
And lastly, there’s always no stranger to giving us the action scenes from fighting against Bowser Jr with his unique and creative use of his paint weapon like duplicate enemies or armors for himself, chasing away from the T-Rex in Mario Odyssey, Rosalina’s defending herself and Lumas, space dogfight with Arwing from Megaleg and even the climax in Planet Bower. They’re pretty fascinating and entertaining from fast pace, creative and impact to see our heroes avoiding obstacles and fighting for their lives from the evil threats like Bowser, Junior and even King Wart.
Like I said from the start, its not surprising that the movie’s budget focus is its presentation for nice and beautiful quality, creative and followed backgrounds, faithful character designs, great effects and fun action scenes. While the soundtrack by Brian Tyler are pretty good as always, but at least they step away with the use of labeled songs from before.
The Characters
With the writing’s problem, perhaps the characters in this movie would be slightly improvement from the first movie? Well, Perhaps, but again, I wish that some characters would’ve been better with new development. Even if some voice cast that, while they’re good, but unfortunate a downgrade.
Lets start off with our titular protag, Mario (reprised by Chris Pratt), he’s our main hero that he’s trying to protecting Mushroom Kingdom in peace for potential girlfriend (so we think) Princess Peach. While his development is slightly updated as a no-nonsense hero and possibly concern if Peach is in trouble with Toad, but its all slightly development him, just a hero of Mushroom Kingdom who’s heard about the galaxy is in danger. But of course, even when Pratt returns as Mario, im STILL considered the worst casting choice ever, even when’s trying to imitating retired OG voice of Mario, Charles Martinet, he’s STILL doesn’t feel like Mario that we all know, like you might as well give Star-Lord with plumber gimmick. But like I said in the first Mario Bros movie, I’ve nothing against him, he’s a great actor that I have a respect for him, but I still standby for his role of Mario just doesn’t work based on his voice or even comparing the other character he’s been portrayed. But im sure im not the only one who pointed out a bad call, even some of you can agree with me to this day since the previous film.
Next we have Luigi (reprised by Charlie Day), like before he’s a timid, scaredy cat young brother in adventure with Mario. But in this version, we eventually get to see him in action with his brother and be somewhat confident for the journey. I think its safe to say that he’s probably the only one with new development after he used to be a dude in distress from the first film, even Charlie did a nice work of his role of Luigi.
Then we have Princess Peach (reprised by Anya Taylor-Joy), a royal princess of Mushroom Kingdom with helping Toads and even bonding with Mario and Luigi for saving the land, and as always, being strong-willing and badass princess for being aware from the threat. This time, she’s going out on her with the main Toad (reprised by Keegan-Michael Key) based on urgency about Rosalina. But then, somehow, they gave her a further backstory where she came from, but I won’t give you a SPOILER details, but if you wanna know my thought about this? Well, to quote from Jontron “I have SEVERAL questions”. Aside the further backstory, I still like her portrayal in this movie and Anya did a nice work of her role.
And finally, we have the King Koopa himself, Bowser (reprised by Jack Black), when we saw him before, he’s a memorable main villain for Jack’s fun performance, and being both menacing and comedic for being self-aware how he’s made of. Here, he start off as comedic neutral that he’s forced to partner with Mario, Luigi and Yoshi for the whereabouts of Peach and knowing about his son, Bowser Jr. But once he grew back to normal and separated from our main heroes from the deal with Honey Queen (voiced by Issa Rae), he turns back into villain role once he’s rescued and reunited with his son, though he’s more like a secondary villain role than his son, which is rather a downgrade for his role, but to be fair, at least I like they gave a heart to heart moment before him and his son to explain whatever happened to them when they’re separated, even if we wish they could’ve have a further backstory development. While I still give appreciation for fun performance from Jack Black, but I just wish they could’ve give him something new fun stuff like a new song, which it didn’t have that, even if his returned role is not as menacing and fresh as before, though I’ve nothing against him, I still think he did a fun performance, but not as memorable as last time.
As for the new characters, while il give appreciation for entering the scenes, but its too bad that, like the returning characters, not even some new ones could give us a long development (sort of).
First we have Yoshi (surprisingly voiced by Donald Glover), a dinosaur who becomes Mario and Luigi’s companion in Mushroom Kingdom. Even though we saw a flock of Yoshis from the previous film, but its nice to have the main green Yoshi on the big screen, which I wish he should’ve been in the first one than later, but that’s just me. But im quite surprised Donald do the voice of everyone’s favorite dinosaur, but not as fresh as the original voice, Kazumi Totaka.
Next we have, surprisingly, Fox McCloud (voiced by Glen Powell, aka Ben Richards from 2025 The Running Man), the main mercenary pilot of Star Fox who’s somehow being transported into Mushroom Kingdom. Again, im very surprising to having Fox, the main protagonist from Star Fox in the movie, but instead of rival turned friend like Donkey Kong (who sadly, won’t be back in the sequel), here, Fox is a hired pilot to helping our main heroes with his transport Arwing through the galaxy and shooting Bowser’s enemy ships. Let along with boasting his good’ol days when he used to be with his trusted partners in Star Fox from the evil threat of Andross, even if his ego is gotten on his way from his charisma. Despite his somewhat minor role, I find him pretty surprisingly nice inclusion in this film, even Powell’s role fits pretty good. Though it makes me wondering what if this is a setup to make a spin-off movie, but with Star Fox, but again, its just me.
Then we have, Rosalina (voiced by Brie Larson, aka Captain Marvel from MCU), she’s the princess of the galaxy and the mother figure for Lumas in her home space station, Comet Observatory. At first, I find her to be a great potential that she’s going be a new promising and badass princess with motherly role to helping our heroes to save the galaxy from Boomsday. I give credit that she has a similar treatment as Peach, bring strong-willed to protect the galaxy and soft and sweet with Lumas, and Brie’s voice as Rosalina is a lot better than Captain Marvel. But sadly, her role is controversially minor that she’s depicted as a damsel in distress, which is nothing but a BIG FAT Slap in the Face for what we’ve expecting. Talk about a letdown for what would’ve been from our anticipation, since SHE’S A MAJOR ROLE FROM THE GAME COMPARED TO THE MOVIE, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE!!!
Im sorry, its just that doing research in small comparison is… Really baffling me the most for ruining the potential…
And finally, we have the new main villain, Bowser Jr (voiced by Benny Sadie), the son of Bowser who’s out there for not only kidnapping Rosalina (ugh…!), but also searching his father to presentation his destructive weapon from his home planet. I find him to be a very good role, he may have a similar treatment as his father, but he’s more menacing and serious threat in attempt to put the end of Mushroom Kingdom and the cosmos, but of course, like I mentioned on his father, he does have a softer side when he reunites with his father for returning villainous role, even if Junior is the main villain role, while his father is on second-in-command, along with returning henchman Kamek (reprised by Kevin Michael Richardson) and crime boss named King Wart (voiced by Luis Guzman).
While some casts are doing fine, minus Chris Pratt’s Mario that I still standby the controversial casting choice, but the characters are alright, while there are some have a developments, but its just we wish some could give us new developments and, better yet, a bigger role for what would’ve been.
And now for my Final Opinion of this film
Overall, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is… Dare I say, a very mixed to average at best.
The movie is suffered the same problem, but dangerously downgraded with lackluster narrative story, world building are clearly a flip flop, average and downgraded characters, some jokes could’ve gone better, subplots just came out of nowhere, and the potential of this movie what we’ve expecting, just didn’t go that well, especially the title of this movie is misleading that its more of a typical follow up rather than focusing on galaxy.
But before you guys are going to be hot boiling of rage to send me hateful comments to canceling me and death threats, I wanna put this very clear. Its NOT the worst movie I’ve ever seen. Sure, it does have flaws that they made another mistake, but it has a redeeming qualities that we can give appreciation like well-done animation, faithful designs, fun and noticeable Easter Eggs, great action scenes, pretty good soundtracks and has a surprising characters are that memorable on their own like Bowser Jr. and even Fox McCloud.
As a movie itself, its not great for many reasons in a same way as the first one, which again, they really need to learn their mistakes without doing the same pattern. But again, if we turn off our criticisms and narration, its a pretty good and fun film to watch, even if the movie is short as one in a half hour length. For recommendation, its no stranger that its only for diehard fans of Mario, just for the sake of see the fun stuff with the animation, the actions and others, which like I said, its pretty good that the Illumination did their best for their work, but as for non-fans of Mario or being a fan of storytelling (like me), I’d say, watch once and il let you make a conclusion if its good or not that great.
From before, I gave the first animated Mario movie a 7/10, which I enjoyed the first one (for the most part).
But as the sequel, im really sorry to say, I gotta drop the number of my rating to 6/10. Again, its not the best sequel nor best movie based on video game, but it has some redeeming quality to give an appreciation.
Anyway, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.
