Movie renditions of video games have garnered a reputation for being truly terrible movies. Through the piles of muck and grease, it seems like The Super Mario Bros. Movie is able to shine through as a diamond in the rough.

Video game movies often face the problem of  improper representation of key features within the game. This issue didn’t cross the screen once, with big things such as the warp pipes, enemies within the game, and power-ups being perfectly depicted in the movie. The movie also gives amazing context to the Italian brothers, Mario and Luigi, and shows the humble plumbing beginnings they came from perfectly. 

Aside from the overall features and the superb backstory, Bowser, the infamous leader of the Koopa Kingdom, is perfectly put onto the big screen. Jack Black was able to create the perfect voice for the Koopa King and kept an exquisite humorous and romantic side to the character, fit for a kids movie. Black was also able to release a musical masterpiece along with the film, “Peaches,” a tear-jerking love song devoted to the one and only Princess Peach of the mushroom kingdom.

Anya Taylor-Joy gives Peach a strong spirit much needed for a character always represented as a helpless damsel in distress. It gives the character a refreshing new feel as she teaches Mario the ropes of navigating the intricate courses he must go through in order to save his brother, Luigi. In the Jungle Kingdom, viewers get to experience the beauty of Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, a voice that fits surprisingly well to the character. With an extended fight scene between our beloved Italian hero and the infamous ape that gives the Super Smash Bros. franchise an excellent shout-out, viewers get on screen features from Diddy Kong and Crazy Kong and the DK Rap as an amazing throwback. 

While at some points, the plot may seem to feel thin, there shouldn’t be such a high expectation for a movie based off of a beautifully simple video game. The only other main complaint some critics have voiced  is the excess amount of references, or “easter eggs” throughout the film. Not only that, they complain about the noisiness of the movie, or the quick pacing. While all of these would be very valid if this was a genuine film, they are truly making a fool of themselves when you remember this movie was made for children, based off of something already targeted towards children. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is available at your local movie theater or ROW8, Prime Video, Vudu, Redbox, or Apple TV.