Despite visually impressive animation and nostalgia-inducing Easter eggs, the highly anticipated ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ has been blasted by critics for its lackluster story, poor voice acting, and over-reliance on fan service. Some even went so far as to claim the live-action adaptation was creatively superior.
Critics like Andrew Korpan (@andrewkorpan1) acknowledged the movie’s strengths, such as its visual excellence and references to the beloved gaming franchise. However, they also pointed out its shortcomings, like a flat execution and not taking full advantage of the franchise’s ridiculousness.
Ricky Vàlero (@rickyvalero_) also expressed disappointment, stating that the movie fell flat due to uneven voices, a lackluster story, and unfunny jokes. This sentiment was echoed by Eric Marchen (@EM6211), who described the film as offering pure fan service with a threadbare plot.
Jeff Nelson (@SirJeffNelson) praised the movie for its delightful score and vibrant animation but criticized its bland narrative and underutilization of characters. Myles Obenza (@MylesObenza) shared a similar view, saying the great visuals and well-orchestrated medleys of classic Mario tunes couldn’t save the movie from its one-note characters and paper-thin plot.
Despite the negative reviews, the ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is still expected to rake in big numbers at the box office. The film is predicted to generate over $225 million globally in its opening frame, with $125 million from U.S. and Canada and another $100 million from international markets.
It remains to be seen whether the nostalgia factor and visually stunning animation will be enough to offset the movie’s shortcomings and satisfy die-hard fans of the gaming franchise.