When a billion-dollar earning film centered around two plumbers is released internationally, you know Poopable has to get involved.
Super Mario Bros., the animated feature starring Chris Pratt and which gives Jack Black his most popular solo single, has mixed reviews from critics, but a lot of adoration from its fans.
Compared to the 1993 disastrous box-office bomb that first tried to adapt the Mario franchise to the screen (the 4.1 user rating on IMDB is generous), the newest Mario film is animated and much more light-hearted. The movie leans into the Mario universe and is much better for taking this approach.
A single look at the poster can let you know why the cast drank to get through production
Its main purpose is to be fun, and it largely achieves that goal. It’s a perfect movie for kids, or for super-fans who grew up playing variations of Mario, especially for fans of Donkey Kong, the Mario Kart series, and Super Mario 64.
There are cute toads (mushroom characters, not actual toads) as well as a slew of famous enemies you’d recognize from the Mario universe. There are also fun set pieces sure to delight fans of the video games.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie begins intensely, with an army of Koopas (the turtle henchmen Mario jumps on in the original game) exiting a floating volcano mountain. The audience is introduced to Bowser, the giant dinosaur from the Mario games in the beginning of the movie. Voiced by Jack Black, Bowser is greeted by an army of Tuxies.
Bowser makes short work of them and opens up a Item Box to get a Super Star.
Then, in a jarring cut, we see Mario and Luigi in a commercial, advertising their plumbing services. They have a stereotypical Italian accent, possibly added late in the filming process. This is potentially a slight wink in response to the social media backlash of Chris Pratt’s first reveal of the famed “Mario Voice.”
The accents are an obvious joke as they do not actually speak this way during the duration of the film.
So, Mario and Luigi are normal plumbers with no particular super powers while operating a struggling business in Brooklyn.
For their first job, they fix a leaky sink, which proves much harder than initially expected because of the homeowner’s angry dog.
The Poopable staff noted the first appearance of a toilet in this scene. Specifically, them pulling the dog out of the toilet with a plunger…you’ll have to watch the movie to understand this scene.
A massive leak in the city leads Mario and Luigi to the shockingly clean sewers of New York, which then leads them to a very familiar looking green pipe.
This plumbing escapade in the sewer system plunges the famous duo into a vortex, landing them in a brand new world. Think Wizard of Oz, but instead of a twister it’s the place poo goes to get processed.
Sadly, this is the end of the bathroom-related material. From hereon out we are introduced to a mysterious world, with Mario and Luigi attempting to reunite after separating in the portal. All the while, Bowser is on making his way to the Mushroom Kingdom in the hopes to marry Princess Peach.
Aside from Princess Peach, portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, and the Mario brothers played by Chris Pratt and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s, Charlie Day, there are a slew of other notable stars as well. Toad is voiced by Keenan-Michael Key, Donkey Kong is voiced by Superbad creator, Seth Rogan and the voice Fred Armisen is heard from Cranky Kong.
Much of the fun of this movie comes from the various Easter Eggs for fans of the video game series. There are Toads mining golden coins and a Cheep Cheeps carried in a bag like a goldfish.
Bowser’s Castle, Peach’s Castle and Rainbow Road are also featured, likely as an homage to the fabled Nintendo 64’s Mario Kart.
Idle Bathroom Thoughts
If you were watching this on a smartphone during a surprisingly long toilet run, here are some things you might find yourself thinking.
- Seth Rogan and Charlie Day are the only actors who sound exactly like themselves. It’s not a bad thing, but Keegan-Michael Key’s voice is raised, and Jack Black, in between comedic beats is much deeper and menacing as Bowser. It’s probably a mix of good voice work, and post-production alterations.
- There’s a lot of winking at the camera (animation wise) going on here, which is to be expected when just about every main actor in this is known for their comedic work. However, the writers really wanted to be like “Woah what’s that? I’m a RACOON? WHAT A CRAZY WORLD.”
- There is a 100% likelihood that they did a Sonic the Hedgehog–like change in this movie after that initial video was sent out, because Chris Pratt’s Mario sounds completely different from the initial video. Honestly, you can’t tell it’s him, and it does a good job of sounding like Mario without going all-in on Italian stereotypes (though each “Mamma Mia!” and “Woo-Hoo” still feel a bit jarring).
- Since this will clearly get a sequel, it’ll be interesting to see the next direction.
It is likely, and Poopable’s Poo-Guru will have some thoughts on the throne regarding a sequel in the future.
Is The Super Mario Bros. Movie Poopable?
Wahoo! It’s not going to win any Academy Awards, but that’s not the point. The film serves as fun for the kids, and a fun movie for those that grew up playing Mario games.
The staff at Poopable give the film a nod of approval. The new Mario movie succeeds in its primary goal. It’s not too long, it pokes fun at itself, and takes the audience for an enjoyable ride.
If you’re not familiar with the Mario world, there might be better movies for you. The Super Mario Bros. is worth a watch on your phone, perhaps from the porcelien throne.