MOVIE REVIEW: THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE

 

With help from Princess Peach, Mario gets ready to square off against the all-powerful Bowser to stop his plans from conquering the world.

Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic

Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen

Release Date: April 5, 2023

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi

Rated PG for action and mild violence.

Runtime: 1h 32m

Review:

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a more than capable family film that plays it safe with the brand as it delivers a light, colorful experience.  Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic clearly have an affection for the property, something readily apparent as they deliver a game to film experience that checks all sorts of nostalgic boxes along the way.  The story is simplistic to a fault as it moves from one set piece to another as it recreates various bits of game play in what amounts to a cinematic retrospective.  Those familiar with Horvath and Jelenic previous movie, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, which lovingly skewered a variety of DC's comic properties won't find that sort of edge here.  There's a definite sense that Nintendo didn't want anything but the glossiest version of their IP on display and for the most part the duo obliges even though slivers of their sensibilities shine through exemplified by an insane, fatalistic blue Luma.  Outside of that its safe and corporate approved which probably keeps the film from being a better overall film.  As is, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a solid adaptation of the video game that sure to please younger kids and deliver enough nostalgia make to older fans happy.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE

The battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, also secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat the evil warlord Garmadon, who also happens to be Lloyd's dad. Pitting father against son, the epic showdown tests these fierce but undisciplined modern-day ninjas as they learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash the inner power of Spinjitzu.

Director: Charlie Bean, Bob Logan, Paul Fisher

Cast: Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Michael Peña, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Justin Theroux, Kumail Nanjiani

Rated PG for some mild action and rude humor

Genres: Animation, Family, Comedy

Review:

The LEGO Ninjago Movie is a fine addition to the blossoming franchise even if the sheen is starting to wear off just a tad.  The movie is full of all the pop culture references and self aware humor we’ve seen in previous installments.  The best thing this film has going is Jackie Chan.  Jackie Chan shows up in the opening and closing but supplies the film with its heart Master Wu.  Justin Theroux is a lot of fun as the villain even if he’s just doing a Will Arnett impression throughout.  Theroux and Dave Franco have fun chemistry in the second half of the film.  The main issue with the film is that the plot and overall story seems hacked together.  The story lacks any sort of real flow even though there are still lots of like here.  That probably speaks to the general fun in the franchise, where even a lesser entry still delivers.

B-