From NYC and Into a Kingdom, Brooklyn Bros. Battle Bowser

Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Luigi 
(voiced by Charlie Day) in 
"The Super Mario Bros. Movie"
Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com

Ever since the early 1981, video game company Nintendo has given people countless outings involving plumbers Mario and Luigi, who were created by game designer Shigeru Miyamoto.  From the original Nintendo Entertainment System to N64 to GameCube to Wii, and beyond, we were offered plot-driven games like “Super Mario 64” and “Super Mario Sunshine,” as well as  multiplayer games like “Mario Kart” and “Mario Party.”  There was endless enjoyment one could get from these games, and these characters are still going strong.

We now have the second attempt at a film adaptation of this gaming series after the live-action 1993 film, “Super Mario Bros.,” which failed to capture the spirit of Nintendo’s creation.  Thirty years later, directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic bring us a computer-animated outing with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”  While the movie could’ve been more given the legacy of the games, it’s nevertheless a fun adventure that has its share of laughs.

Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are hardworking plumbers in Brooklyn.  When they unwittingly go through a mysterious portal, Mario gets sent to the Mushroom Kingdom, which is ruled by Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Luigi gets sent to the Dark Lands, which are ruled by King Bowser (Jack Black).  When Bowser threatens to take over the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario and Peach set out to find some allies before it’s too late.

Despite the film’s shortcomings, it has a talented voice cast to keep it entertaining.  Pratt and Day are terrific as the iconic duo; Taylor-Joy brings the royal might as the resilient Princess Peach; Jack Black gives a memorable turn as Bowser; Seth Rogen is fun as the pompous Donkey Kong; Keegan-Michael Key gives one of the film’s wittiest performances as Mushroom Kingdom resident Toad; and Fred Armisen makes the most of his brief appearance as Donkey King’s father, Cranky Kong.  There’s a good amount of humor to be had with this cast, and they all have a chance to make you laugh as they work off of each other.

The screenplay by Matthew Fogel could have had a little more to it in terms of the actual story because it really just comes down to Mario and his fiends trying to defeat Bowser.  I know this is the central premise of the “Mario” franchise, but given how there are decades of games with which to work, the story could’ve used some creativity, instead of the bare minimum.  However, while the narrative is lacking, there are enough Nintendo in-jokes that viewers of all ages can enjoy.

One of the film’s stronger aspects is how Horvath and Jelenic employ lush animation that shows their dedication to bringing the look of the games to life, whether it’s the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach’s castle, Bowser’s fire-and-brimstone lair, or Donkey Kong’s Jungle Kingdom.  Even if the screenplay leaves quite a bit to be desired, the details given to these environments offer a couple of thrills, including a fun sequence on Rainbow Road, a notorious race course from the “Mario Kart” games.

Although this movie could’ve put in some more work to be a true celebration of the fun that these games have offered over the years, it’s a modest first step in what will very well turn into a movie series.  If the filmmakers can go further next time around, I’d be willing to take another trip down the pipe to the Mushroom Kingdom.

Grade: B-