The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, and Pierre Leduc, with a script by Matthew Fogel, who also worked on The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This sequel brings back the core cast while expanding the universe significantly, pulling in fan-favorite characters like Fox McCloud, Rosalina, Bowser Jr., and Yoshi. The film leans heavily into spectacle, bouncing rapidly from one set piece to another. It often feels like a chain of “and then” moments, stitched together with references to the games rather than a tightly constructed narrative.
Chris Pratt, known for Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, returns as Mario and delivers a similar performance to the first film. He remains serviceable in the role, but the script doesn’t give him much room to grow this time around. Mario feels more like a vehicle to move the audience through the different worlds rather than a character with a meaningful arc.
Anya Taylor-Joy, known for The Queen’s Gambit and Furiosa, once again voices Peach and continues to be one of the stronger presences in the film. She brings confidence and energy, though like much of the cast, she is caught in a story that rarely slows down enough to give her moments real weight.
Jack Black, known for School of Rock and Kung Fu Panda, returns as Bowser and once again stands out. His performance carries a lot of the film’s personality, even if his role feels slightly reduced due to the overcrowded cast and constant introduction of new elements.
The addition of characters like Rosalina and Bowser Jr. adds variety, but they often feel more like cameos than fully realized parts of the story. The same can be said for Fox McCloud and Yoshi, who are fun inclusions but contribute to the overall sense that the film is trying to do too much at once instead of focusing on a cohesive narrative.
Overall, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is entertaining in bursts and clearly aimed at fans who will appreciate the constant references, but it lacks the balance and charm of its predecessor. Even younger viewers can pick up on how scattered it feels, which says a lot about its storytelling. My daughter thought that it wasn't true enough to the source material which fills me with pride that she would find flaws in a movie designed to appeal to her and my other children. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie doesn’t quite stick the landing despite its ambition, but it's still quite enjoyable. Result: B
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