The Super Mario Galaxy Movie had the chance to take the franchise to bigger and more imaginative places, but the sequel ends up feeling like a major disappointment. Instead of building on the fun, energy, and creativity of the first film, this one settles into a dull quest storyline that never really takes off. The movie has some colorful visuals and a few cool moments, but it lacks the excitement and charm that made the original work.
One of the bigger bright spots is Princess Rosalina, played by Brie Larson. She has a strong presence, interesting powers, and easily could have been one of the best parts of the movie. The problem is that she does not get enough screen time. The story also spends more time focusing on the relationship between Princess Peach and Princess Rosalina, leaving Mario and Luigi feeling surprisingly underused in their own movie.
The film also misses some of the key elements fans would expect from a Mario adventure, especially the lack of obstacle course style sequences. Chris Pratt’s performance as Mario feels underwhelming, and the movie as a whole feels more aimed at younger kids than longtime fans of the games. Even the marketing choices feel strange, including the late reveal of Donald Glover as Yoshi. In the end, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie feels like a wasted opportunity, with only a handful of visuals keeping it from being completely forgettable.
