How Guilty is The Mario Galaxy Movie?

How Guilty is The Mario Galaxy Movie?

• Note: There won’t be any major spoilers. Everything in this review is known, from the many trailers and announcements of the movie. I do describe the first opening scene, but it’s not anything you couldn’t figure out from the trailers. While I don’t consider that a spoiler, some would consider it a minor one.

A little over 40 years ago, Nintendo launched a little game called Super Mario Bros! That little game would end up being a building block on Nintendo’s Entertainment Empire, spanning over 17 games and countless spin offs. April 5th, 2023 that history evolved into something else entirely. Nintendo, along with Illumination Studios & Universal Pictures, together made a movie that would make children laugh & turn adults into children again. Today, April 1st, 2026, they embarked on expanding that new legacy with The Mario Galaxy Movie!

The movie begins introducing the first new character, Rosalina, and her many stars. Like, living, talking and colorful stars! Our crazy, dark one from the first movie is no where to be seen, sadly. Still adorable, though. Then a battle happens, with Bowser Jr and he kidnaps his first Princess!

Let’s first get into what makes the movie great. Because, it most certainly is “Amaze, Amaze, Amaze”. The colors and animation, top notch. If you can, see this in the biggest best screen possible. IMAX, Dolby Cinema or even Regal 4DX. This is the type of movie that these formats are made for. Then the sound. Huge upgrade from the first movie (we aren’t talking about the 90’s, okay? It never happened). You will hear hints of sounds you grew up with, mixed with wonderful new music and sounds. It’s a fantastic ride, which is what kids want in a movie.

Then the characters. There are times you even feel for Bowser, and his son. You don’t get much growth from the main characters, but they are strong, wonderful and just so adorable. Honestly, I don’t think the people who will enjoy this movie came for a character study of Mario & his many friends.

Then there is the plot. I am actually baffled here. I wish, really do wish, I could spoil the movie for you. Because then I could talk about the plot and tell you, “The Mario galaxy Movie is just like Movie A, which some people like” and I even have to be vague here. Because if I told you, then it would literally ruin the ending. You’ll get it, though. About half way through it’ll come into frame. Which is where my confusion is with the critics. How did they not get it?

I don’t understand why critics are dogging on this movie & its plot. I think, its because it moves so fast. It really, really does. I don’t think this is a bad thing. One, it’ll have the adults wanting to go back to have an Easter Hunt of all the Easter Eggs! Two, it’ll keep the little kids attention, which as a father of a 3 year old, and a 5 year old, it is important to me. My son Lucas, who’s second time in a theatre & first time watching the movie all the way through, stayed in his seat laughing and smiling! And while my two oldest kids, who’re 14 & 15, will love all the little hints of the characters they grew up with. It has something for the whole family!

In the end, it’s clear that this is not a movie for the critics. Which also mean, if you like some substance in your plot and some meat on your characters, yeah this isn’t a movie for you. Honestly, Illumination understood the assignment. Nintendo wanted this movie to be a celebration of 40 years of games. They wanted to celebrate their accomplishments and wash their fans in nostalgia and happiness, and they did just that.

Maybe, on the next Mario adventure (hoping for Luigi’s Mansion), they can expand on this template. Spend more time, letting the moments settle and have some time to simmer. This would also allow for some, in the views of those critics, character development.

Our Final Judgement on The Mario Galaxy Movie has been weighed, it has been measured, and found wanted. We have found this movie with a Guilty Status of 8.0. It’s a solid silver status. The Mario Bros’s showed up to play, had some stumbles along the way. These flaws might be a deal breaker for some. We believe our audience will find this to be a good movie, but use your detective skills with this review. Hidden among the gems are little Koopa’s waiting to fight you and ruin the experience for some. However, rest assured, I have faith that the Nintendo faithful, those who grew up with these characters, will over come the Koopa’s and defeat the final boss!