I recently saw The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and here’s why I think it surpasses the original Mario movie.

      Growing up with the Nintendo Wii, the Super Mario Galaxy video games were among my absolute favorites, so seeing a blockbuster film based on them felt like a dream realized. I had high expectations for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and I can confidently say that this film was crafted with fans in mind. Taking place after Bowser’s defeat (voiced by Jack Black) in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, this sequel follows Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) as they journey into space to rescue Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) from Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie).

      While The Super Mario Bros. Movie wasn’t flawless, it delivered an enjoyable and faithful portrayal of some of Nintendo’s most beloved heroes. With the story's world and characters already established, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie reached new heights as Mario and his friends aim for the stars in an exhilarating adventure packed with action, humor, emotion, and Easter Eggs for gamers to appreciate.

      An exhilarating, action-filled spectacle

      Illumination / Illumination

      Just like the first Mario film, the animators at Illumination excelled at bringing the plumber’s vibrant world to life while also expanding it. Drawing inspiration from the Galaxy games and Super Mario Odyssey, this intergalactic sequel showcases a multitude of colorful and enchanting worlds far exceeding the Mushroom Kingdom.

      Almost everything appears to be pulled straight from the games, from character designs to Rosalina’s Comet Observatory, as well as the stars and planets the characters navigate. The film even features numerous quirky and imaginative action sequences, with some elements presented in the games’ classic 2D and 8-bit styles.

      More original music featured

      Illumination / Illumination

      One significant issue I had with the first Super Mario film was its excessive use of licensed music, which felt out of place and uninspired for the Mario franchise, which boasts decades of catchy melodies. Given that a central appeal of Super Mario Galaxy lies in its breathtaking original score, incorporating songs by A-Ha and The Beastie Boys would have detracted from the experience for fans. While it worked in Guardians of the Galaxy, that’s an entirely different narrative.

      Although a song from Biggie Smalls makes an unexpected appearance, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie predominantly features the score by composer Brian Tyler (Yellowstone), who skillfully recreated the iconic musical themes from the Mario video games. Hearing the melodies of the Good Egg and Gusty Garden Galaxies in the film evoked joyful memories of playing the Mario games as a child, creating a nostalgic and uplifting experience.

      New and more developed characters

      Illumination / Illumination

      While Mario and Luigi had decent character arcs in the first film, characters like Peach and Bowser lacked the depth necessary for a well-rounded story. Fortunately, the sequel offers more development for both the Princess and the Koopa King.

      The Super Mario Galaxy Movie places a greater emphasis on Peach as she endeavors to rescue Rosalina, who is revealed to be her long-lost sister. This diverges significantly from the video game lore. However, after being introduced as an orphaned human in the Mushroom Kingdom, the sequel enhances her quest as she seeks to find her family, discover her origins, and achieve a deeper sense of belonging in the universe alongside Rosalina. Peach also reveals greater vulnerability as she navigates the challenges of her latest adventure, expressing her frustration over her misfortunes.

      Although Mario's name is in the film's title, it’s fair to say that Peach emerges as the main protagonist.

      Illumination / Illumination

      In an interesting twist, Bowser takes a different route in the sequel by collaborating with Mario. Despite harboring some resentment towards Mario after their prior encounters, Bowser attempts to set aside his feelings for the sake of reconnecting with his estranged son. Although Bowser Jr. aspires to conquer the universe with his father, Bowser grapples with mixed emotions about harming Mario and his allies after developing a fondness for them, making him a more nuanced and conflicted character in this installment.

      Bowser Jr. also serves as an excellent new antagonist in the Mario film series. Benny Safdie captures the voice of a young Bowser well, and the dynamic between him and his father is both engaging and heartwarming. Inspired by his father’s bedtime stories of cosmic conquest, the young Koopa strives to make Bowser proud by rescuing him and turning their dreams into reality.

      Additionally, we have Glen Powell from Top Gun: Maverick making a surprise appearance as Fox McCloud from Star Fox. In a brief amount of time, Powell establishes the furry pilot as a cool character reminiscent of Han Solo, deserving of his own spin-off.

      That being said…

      Illumination / Illumination

      The Super Mario Galaxy Movie still suffers from some of the same issues present in the first film, particularly concerning