The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the latest, highly anticipated animated installment from Nintendo and Illumination, with returning directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. This film aims to level up and build on the success of its predecessor by expanding Mario’s universe into a cosmic setting filled with new characters and vibrant worlds.
The story follows Mario and his friends as they venture beyond the Mushroom Kingdom into space, where galaxies are under threat from Bowser Jr.’s cataclysmic plans. Along the way, they encounter new allies like Rosalina and unexpected faces such as Fox McCloud. The journey spans multiple planets and storylines, each showcasing different characters as they attempt to stop Bowser Jr. and restore balance to the universe.
Before watching, I was extremely excited. The first movie set a high bar, especially with its animation and soundtrack, so I was curious whether this sequel could match or even surpass it. I was also wondering how well the “Galaxy” concept would translate into a movie format, given how expansive and imaginative the games are.
This film is on another level! One of the most striking aspects of the film is its animation. It is easily one of the best-looking animated movies I’ve ever seen. The colours are incredibly vibrant, and the textures – whether it’s planets, characters, or spaceships – look stunningly detailed. Every frame feels polished, and the visual creativity really captures the magic of the Super Mario Galaxy games.
The soundtrack is another major highlight. Brian Tyler returns to score the film and proves to be a vital part of why these movies feel so magical. The music enhances both the emotional and action-driven moments, making scenes feel bigger and rich with nostalgia.
Character-wise, Bowser once again steals the show. Jack Black’s performance is phenomenal, bringing both humour and intensity to the role. It’s just a shame he didn’t get another original song like the chart-topping “Peaches” from the first film. Yoshi, a new addition to the gang, is a true standout, quickly becoming one of the best characters thanks to his comedic timing and adorableness – he gets some of the biggest laughs in the film. Fox McCloud’s introduction, while not surprising as it was revealed in a character poster days before the film’s release, is still incredibly cool, adding a fun crossover element that works surprisingly well. That said, it’s a shame it wasn’t saved as a surprise for fans of the Star Fox series. Rosalina also shines among the new characters, delivering some of the best fight scenes in the film. While all the new character additions are excellent, there may be too many, and even Mario feels slightly sidelined in his own movie.
The world-building deserves praise too. The film does an amazing job of creating a rich, interconnected universe that feels alive, comparable to other top-tier animated films.
However, the film isn’t without its flaws. The biggest issue is the lack of a strong central story. There are multiple storylines involving different characters, but they feel somewhat disconnected. In a longer movie, this structure might have worked better, but here it comes across as a series of mini-episodes rather than one cohesive narrative. The runtime is also quite short, which makes the pacing feel rushed. The ending, in particular, is very abrupt and leaves you wanting at least another 20 minutes to fully wrap things up.
Overall, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a visually spectacular and highly entertaining film that excels in animation, music, and character moments. While it falls short in terms of story depth and pacing, it still delivers an enjoyable experience packed with memorable highlights and plenty of easter eggs for the fans. It may not fully reach its potential due to its short runtime, but it’s still a fun and impressive sequel that fans of the franchise will appreciate – and one that kids will have a blast watching.
Rating 8/10
