Film Name: 超级马力欧银河大电影 / The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
I’ve noticed that most “successful” commercial films—especially those that are box-office hits—tend to further amplify their signature selling points when they release sequels, while inadvertently magnifying their original flaws…
*The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* (hereinafter referred to as *Mario 2*) is a classic example of a video game adaptation—from the perspective of pure entertainment and the nostalgia/appeal it holds for many gamers, the film is highly enjoyable and even more substantial than the first installment. However, if you apply even a modicum of cinematic standards, you’ll find it’s hard to call this a “movie,” The plot and character development are even more watered down than in the first film.
This has left me with a very conflicted impression of *Mario 2*: if I say it’s good, it certainly has a slew of issues that are hard to ignore; if I say it’s bad, it’s still given me plenty of joy and surprises.
So in the end, I’ve decided to follow my heart and give this film a slightly above-average rating. Every film has its own reason for existing—even if it only delivers a few moments of pure joy, it’s worth it.
I should clarify that, as an older “mid-career” gamer, the only *Mario* game I’ve ever seriously played is the classic *Super Mario Bros.* from the NES era. I’m not familiar with the *Mario* games from the NDS, GBA, or Switch eras—I’ve mostly just heard bits and pieces about them.
Logically speaking, I shouldn’t have much nostalgia for *Mario 2*… but the truth is, the film fully integrates various game characters, elements, and gameplay mechanics into the story. Even if you haven’t played the games extensively, you’ll still feel that “overwhelming” immersion.
I want to give a special shout-out to the action sequence in the film’s climax: the part where Mario and Princess Peach team up to navigate the trap-filled levels set by Bowser and his son. That scene genuinely blew me away!
This sequence is presented from two perspectives: one is a pure 3D animated action view focused on Mario and Princess Peach, and the other is a 2D game interface view rendered in classic pixel art style on the screens in front of Bowser and his son.
If the film had simply adopted just one perspective, it would have been nothing more than a run-of-the-mill attempt to cash in on nostalgia (a mere skin-swap or rehash). But when the two perspectives are combined and presented in alternating sequences, the explosive chemistry between them is absolutely breathtaking!
This is a completely new creative work that effectively utilizes game elements—it innovates on the foundation of recreating a classic while paying a sincere tribute through its reinterpretation. This might just be the most ingenious and clever approach to adapting games into film and animation.
Of course, what makes it great is also what brings it down—once you strip away that element of fun, much of the “game-inspired adaptation” in *Mario 2* feels more like a “teaser” that sacrifices the big picture for the small details, neglecting one aspect while focusing on another.
Whenever Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Princess Peach, or Toad arrive at a new location, or whenever a new, randomly generated scene appears, the film eagerly prompts you to make connections to the game (through various obstacles, jumps, rewards, mechanics, and other gameplay elements). In my view, many of these references are entirely detrimental to the film’s narrative, yet the film continues to use them relentlessly…
There is only one obvious explanation for this: the film refuses to pass up any opportunity to please gamers, regardless of whether the actual effect is positive or negative.
The character development is also peculiar. I won’t even mention the majority of characters, who are so flat they’re practically caricatures. But Coolba’s transformation—from a trusted figure who turns over a new leaf after imprisonment, only to revert to his old ways for his son’s sake—should at least have had a basic arc. Instead, it’s glossed over with vague, half-hearted resolutions that leave things unresolved, which is truly disappointing.
Perhaps, for a film like *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*, pandering to fans is enough? But after the initial wave of limited surprises, we still can’t help but ask: is pandering to fans really enough?