The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review: Chris Pratt Nintendo Movie Gets Better Sequel
If 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie proved that Nintendo’s most iconic plumber could thrive on the big screen, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes that foundation and quite literally launches it into the cosmos. Bigger, brighter, and far more ambitious in scope, this sequel trades the familiar terrain of the Mushroom Kingdom for a sprawling adventure that prioritizes spectacle, fan service, and pure entertainment over narrative depth, but still manages to deliver an undeniably fun ride.
This time around, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are no longer separated for most of the journey. This is a smart and welcome change that instantly strengthens the emotional core of the film. Their dynamic has always been one of the franchise’s most charming elements, and here it’s given room to breathe, allowing for more humor, brotherly warmth, and collaborative action. The duo feels like a true team.
Joining them is a host of returning and new characters, including Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), who spend much of the film paired together. While both characters remain individually entertaining, with Peach continuing her streak as a capable and proactive leader, their shared dynamic feels somewhat underdeveloped. There’s a missed opportunity for sharper banter or a more defined relationship between them, leaving their scenes feeling lighter than they could have been.
The film’s biggest additions, however, are where it truly shines. Yoshi, voiced by Donald Glover, is an instant standout. It’s an inspired and unexpected casting choice that pays off surprisingly well, capturing Yoshi’s playful, loyal energy while giving him just enough personality to stand out in a crowded ensemble. His quick friendship with Mario and Luigi feels natural, and his presence adds a buoyant, comedic rhythm to the film. Even more integral to the story is Princess Rosalina, played by Brie Larson. Rosalina is deeply tied to the film’s central narrative, and her emotional weight helps anchor the otherwise spectacle-driven plot.
Visually, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is nothing short of stunning. The animation is vibrant, detailed, and consistently inventive, fully embracing the limitless possibilities of space. From honeycomb-shaped planets ruled by the Honey Queen (Issa Rae) to dazzling star fields and gravity-bending landscapes, every frame feels meticulously designed. The film frequently employs long, sweeping takes during action sequences, allowing the audience to fully absorb both the choreography and the imaginative world-building. It’s immersive in a way that feels true to the spirit of the games. This is a universe you want to step into.
The action itself is fast-paced and visually engaging, filled with power-ups, platforming-inspired set pieces, and clever nods to classic gameplay. Sequences that evoke the original 8-bit era are particularly delightful, blending nostalgia with modern animation techniques. Longtime fans will find plenty of Easter eggs and familiar faces sprinkled throughout, reinforcing the film’s identity as a love letter to the Mario franchise.
One of the most noticeable improvements over the original film is its approach to music. While the first movie leaned heavily on recognizable pop songs, sometimes to a distracting degree, this sequel wisely pulls back, allowing composer Brian Tyler’s score to take center stage. Instead of songs like “No Sleep Till Brooklyn,” “Thunderstruck,” and “Take on Me,” the result is a more cohesive and immersive auditory experience that better complements the film’s tone and scale.
However, not everything works as smoothly. Bowser, once again voiced by Jack Black, delivers a committed and entertaining performance, but the character’s writing feels inconsistent. The introduction of Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) brings an intriguing father-son dynamic that occasionally hints at deeper themes, especially when Bowser Jr. appears even more ruthless than his father. There’s even a stretch early in the film where Bowser seems almost reformed, aligning himself with Mario and Luigi.
Yet these shifts in allegiance often feel dictated more by what the plot needs at the time rather than clear character development. Bowser oscillates between villain and reluctant ally without a clear emotional throughline, which undermines what could have been a more compelling arc. It’s a frustrating inconsistency, particularly given how strong Jack Black’s vocal performance remains throughout.
Narratively, the film doesn’t stray far from the simplicity of its predecessor. While there are attempts at adding depth, most notably through Princess Peach’s backstory, which is handled with surprising effectiveness, the overall story remains fairly thin. The characters, for the most part, function as vehicles for the film’s elaborate set pieces rather than fully realized individuals. Aside from Peach and Rosalina, there’s little exploration of internal conflict or growth.
But in many ways, that seems to be by design. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie isn’t aiming to be a deeply introspective character study; It’s built to be a rewatchable, crowd-pleasing spectacle. And on that level, it succeeds. The film understands what makes Mario enduring: the sense of adventure, the colorful worlds, the playful energy, and the joy of discovery.
Ultimately, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an escalation in nearly every sense: more characters, more action, more visual ambition. It doesn’t necessarily deepen the emotional or narrative complexity of the franchise, but it refines what worked before and amplifies it on a grander scale. Some viewers may find its focus on spectacle over substance limiting, but for fans of Mario, it delivers exactly what it promises: a colorful, energetic, and wildly entertaining adventure.
SCORE: 7/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 7 equates to “Good.” A successful piece of entertainment that is worth checking out, but it may not appeal to everyone.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our The Super Mario Galaxy Movie review.
Source: Comingsoon.net