The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Swaps Heart for References

The first entry in The Super Mario Bros. Movie series was a surprise hit, a genuinely funny and heartwarming flick full of background references to classic Nintendo franchises for retro fans to enjoy. Sure, it might not have established a Smash Bros. cinematic universe, but it had a ton of potential to introduce people outside the established Nintendo fanbase to the characters.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes the franchise to the stars, bringing not only Rosalina into the mix, but Bowser Jr., Yoshi (as teased in the first movie's post-credits scene), and even Fox McCloud to the series. It's a huge escalation, which is fitting for a film based on Super Mario Galaxy.

However, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has a lot to live up to. The first film set a high bar, and the sequel doesn't quite reach the same heights as its predecessor, despite its intergalactic setting.

How Does the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Compare to the Original?

A big part of why the original Super Mario Bros. movie worked was that it was an origin story, giving Mario a chance to find self-worth in the Mushroom Kingdom. This makes it all the more exciting when he overcomes each foe, culminating in the defeat of Bowser.

The problem with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is that it doesn't have the same emotional throughline. It's mostly a straight "Rescue the Princess" story, with Bowser Jr. kidnapping Rosalina and attempting to free his father from imprisonment.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is more about the spectacle and fast-paced action scenes than it is about wrapping it around a good story. Sure, there are attempts at heartwarming character interactions (which can't be detailed due to spoilers), but they're half-baked and don't get the time in the spotlight that they deserve.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Relies too Much on References

The first Super Mario Bros. movie was chock-full of references to Nintendo games, but most of them were background nods for eagle-eyed fans. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie puts the references front and center, to the point where anyone not versed in Mario lore is going to wonder what's going on.

Characters use power-ups and weapons that aren't explained on tons of occasions. Sure, Mario fans will recognize them, but it'll make the film hard to follow for those who haven't played every entry since the '80s.

The pace doesn't help things, as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie feels like it's worried that people will get bored if exciting things aren't happening on the screen at all times. Maybe it's a well-grounded concern, one aimed at a generation of kids whose attention spans have been eroded by the Internet, but it can make the film overwhelming at times.

Rosalina & Fox are Done Dirty in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

One of the bigger issues is how The Super Mario Galaxy Movie treats its new characters. Rosalina has a cool action scene at the start of the film, but spends most of the rest of the runtime in captivity, waiting to be saved. Sure, this is the fate of many Mario princesses, but the first movie did a great job of turning Princess Peach into a badass, and the same can't be said for Rosalina.

The other problem is Fox McCloud, who can safely be described as the Poochie of the franchise. The other characters fawn over him way too much, and he feels out of place in the story, acting like a garish space rogue with a Dreamworks smile. It's very obvious that Nintendo is gearing up for a Star Fox film, but it's off-putting seeing the other characters putting him over so much, when he really doesn't do anything that impressive.

It's disappointing that Nintendo spoiled the Star Fox reveal so close to launch, as it would have been a huge mark-out moment for fans and may have made the bootlicking a little more tolerable. The promotional material also showed off the Pikmin, which should also have been left as a surprise, as they only have a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo.

Luckily, other crossover cameos haven't been spoiled in official materials yet, and they're way more charming than Fox and the Pikmin.

The addition of these new characters comes at a cost, as the Donkey Kong cast is absent from the film. While they're referenced several times, they're not part of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Maybe they're also in line for a spin-off flick?

The Super Mario Galaxy is Still a Decent Watch for Nintendo Fans

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie does have some bright spots. Yoshi is an amazing addition to the cast, even though it's slightly surreal hearing him talk. Seeing the Super Mario Bros. 2 villains was a joy, especially when they're mostly left out of crossovers (save for Birdo). Jack Black's Bowser is a returning highlight, being just as hammy as he was the first time around.

The issue is that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie tries to cram in a little too much and relies way too heavily on established Mario iconography. It should have focused more on Princess Peach's storyline and given less time to the villains, as Bowser Jr. just isn't as interesting a foe as his father.

Does that mean The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is bad? No. It's just not as good as its predecessor. Nintendo fans will have brainless fun watching the fight scenes and pointing at the screen whenever they spot a Mario Sunshine reference, which is what it aims to be. Not every film needs to be The Seventh Seal: some films are candy for the eyes, and that's a good summation of what The Super Mario Galaxy movie is when seen on the big screen.

Nintendo fans who want to switch off and enjoy some nostalgia will find a lot to love in this film. Hopefully, the inevitable third film will rein things in a little, but it's not going to have much choice, as now that Super Mario Galaxy has been adapted, there isn't much further to go in terms of scope, unless Mario's Time Machine is next in line.