NEWS

Based on the 2007 game of the same name as well as a sequel to 2023's “The Super Mario Bros Movie," "Super Mario Galaxy” expands the Nintendo Universe beyond the first film with Mario and Co. now having to face Bowser's estranged son, Bowser Jr., played by Benny Safdie, as he attempts to free his father and conquer the universe. A visual spectacle, “Super Mario Galaxy” takes full advantage of its intergalactic setting to show off more environments and characters.  The full cast plays their characters well and fully embraces the galaxy with its wide array of colors and interjected game sequences. The movie will even go so far as to play around with gravity in pleasantly disorienting ways that feel like something out of “Inception.”

The movie spins the main story while showing off more characters from games both well-known and obscure. Safdie gives a pleasantly over exaggerated performance as Bowser Jr. Trying to live up to his father's villainous legacy, Junior's line deliveries are often melodramatic to the point of hilarity. Jack Black delivers, as always, as Bowser, as do Chris Pratt as Mario and Charlie Day as Luigi. It is clear that they are all having a lot of fun in the booth.

Though a visual marvel, “Super Mario Galaxy” doesn't do much in the way of story. There are many times when the film's settings seem to be primarily for introducing characters for future projects. As such, there is little to appeal to a broader audience. If you either have some level of nostalgia for the franchise or have kids, “Super Mario Galaxy” is a fun experience. Beyond that, this movie seems less focused on telling its own story and more focused on setting up future movies.

6/10

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