After the success of the film "THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE," (2023) it was very clear that a sequel was on the horizon to continue building the "Super Mario" franchise.
Three years later, Illumination and Nintendo return to theaters with the continuation of the story that would take the plumber to the stars: "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" (2026). If the first installment served as an introduction to the fantastic world of Mario and his friends, this new space adventure would be an exaggerated expansion of what was already known.
It certainly would have been easy to just use the same title and add a 2 at the end like any movie franchise, but I believe that by basing it on one of the most successful games, it showed us that the goal isn’t necessarily to adapt an already known story. Because Mario’s universe is so vast, there isn’t one narrative line that must be followed for one of its many stories to make sense.
Like the previous film, this one is not simply an adaptation of a single video game, but of an entire video game franchise. So you’ll see more than 10 references to various Mario games (I think it’s safe to say that the aim of these animated films is to showcase most elements of Nintendo’s franchise).
The fantastic world (or Fantastic Universe) where the film takes place has become bigger, so much so that it could now be considered a Multiverse if the plot goes that way. But I think that’s material for another post.
Regarding the narrative, from the first minutes, we are placed in the fantastic lands where Mario’s adventures happen. Nothing about Brooklyn or things you’d see in a normal world: We see Mario and Luigi for what they truly are, heroes and not just plumbers. And unlike the last movie, this one doesn’t waste time and maintains a dynamic pace.
The plot kicks off with Bowser Jr.’s debut kidnapping Princess Rosalina, forcing Mario, Luigi, and Peach to embark on a galaxy-spanning adventure.
The animation reaches new levels of excellence by recreating the worlds seen in the games in high definition. Also, the inclusion of beloved characters like Yoshi is thrilling for fans of the classic games; the constant fan service is the backbone that keeps this franchise standing (much like the MCU), all to keep a smile on loyal viewers’ faces.
As a family-friendly product for children, the film is extremely hyperactive and rarely pauses to catch its breath. 1 hour and 39 minutes can fly right past your eyes. Everything happens so fast it’s easy to lose track of time.
Perhaps the story feels rushed and tries to cover too much; by mixing elements from titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Galaxy’s unique identity isn’t fully adapted because this film (and likely others to come) will be “a bit of everything,” meaning they will adapt other stories in their own way.
The movie leaves little room for character development, focusing more on conciseness and action, it’s a constant stimuli show without many emotional pause moments. However, for its target audience (lifelong fans), this approach works perfectly, preventing the story from dragging and going straight to the point.
I suppose this film reignites the eternal divide in opinions among critics. While some may lament a flat narrative, families and hardcore video game fans will find it a very enjoyable experience.
"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" like its predecessor, is a great visual spectacle; it’s a film meant for fan entertainment. This grand space adventure gives us a glimpse of the future: Apparently, Nintendo is trying to bring its iconic characters out of the video games and onto the big screen. We’ve gotten used to seeing comic book characters in movies, so perhaps a new era is approaching that will give video game stories their chance.
Rating: 90/100