IR Film Review: THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE [Nintendo/Universal]
After establishing the context of the Super Mario Brothers universe, the second entry in the franchise "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" is a lot more cohesive, effective and linear in what it shows since the boundaries (as they were) are now actually set. The progression and thematics are also more specifically based as is the tone. But the second entry, specifically with the story of Bowser and his son, gives it a little more grounded stakes. And yet the best parts of the movie are Yoshi and Star Fox. Unlike the "Sonic" movies which, despite the most recent one being better than the others, this sequel allows all the characters to shine equally. Granted there are bits that function as offshoots but they all seem to fit together. The aspect of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor Joy) and Princess Rosalina (played by Brie Larson) and how their dynamic is built again fits very well into the idea of what the movie is...and how it functions. The story starts out with Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) helping out people in Mushroom Land as Peach carries on with her day. This beginning element which reveals Yoshi (Donald Glover) is great and, like Groot, there is not a whole lot for Yoshi to do or say but it feels just right because his personality is so defined and yet rambunctious. Bowser, after the aspects of the first movie, is underfoot in a different way...but Jack Black knows exactly how to play it. It also doesn't lean back on his music but rather doubles down on the context of the character with him jumping back and forth from riffing to an actual connection with Jr. (Benny Safdie).
Star Fox (Glen Powell) comes out of the woodwork and actually provides the most adrenaline for the movie. Powell gets what this is and really amps it up. And the thing with Mario...people talk about Pratt's lack of inflection with the character...but he is making it more middle of the road so you don't lose who it is. Day as Luigi mugs it a little more. The reason Mario works is that, despite the possibilities, he doesn't get jealous or have a vicious bone (except maybe his disdain for Bowser) in his body...and that is a great trait. They allude that he should but it balances it just right Luigi also wants to see the best in people. Taylor Joy plays her Princess with an effervescence but it also mixes it up for her on the genre side as does Larson (whose performance has a little harder edge). As the movie reaches its pinnacle, it is interesting how it brings in the confluences of different mediums. A flashback with Bowser using hand puppets looks remarkably organic...and Illumination has improved on this world in terms of its animation since the last film (perhaps it was not as rushed). There is an anime inspired sequence of Star Fox's backstory (which feels and looks awesome). And there is even some 8-bit structure towards the end. The tone and thematics (especially with images that correspond to the game) almost seem like they would be too much for younger children (considering there is a T2 reference). But that said, it is not like there is a finality in the repercussions of certain things so it keeps an innocence despite some darker adult themes underlying the main story. "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" improves on the original with a solid story, more effective animation, some experimental aspects and a cast that lets others shine, especially standouts in Yoshi and Star Fox through their respective characters and voice actors. B+
By Tim Wassberg
