Support NeoGAF

[supernova8]

I thought this movie has next to no plot and that's why the critics thought it was nothing special?

Having watched it, while I can agree with the argument that it was pretty meh as a standalone movie and 100% carried by the fact that it's Mario, we should also compare to it all the garbage video game movie adaptations.

In that context, I'd say the Mario movie was everything a Mario movie should've been. Also I was apprehensive about Jack Black voicing Bowser but on balance I think he nailed it in terms of striking a balance between the husky voice and keeping it comical (because the Mario franchise has never taken itself seriously).

Movie critics were just itching to call it shit but they can fuck off.

For comparison, the most recent Resident Evil movie is an example of a film that could've been good but they fucked it up.
The Far Cry movie is an example of just...ugh puke in movie format.
the Warcraft movie wasn't bad per se, but you can tell it tried to be LoTR without having the budget/scale to really do that.

 

[MMaRsu]

Calling things soulless with no explanation is soulless.

This take is soulless.

It was super generic and the voices are annoying. I don't need to hear Seth Rogen's laugh as Donkey Kong. Completely took me out of the experience.

I have nothing against SR, I love him as an actor but in this.. nah.

Chris Pratt was boring. No fun personality given to Mario through his voice.

The commercial pop songs were annoying and threw me out of the movie, I understand it can't be all Mario tunes, but Take on Me from A-Ha? Fuck off.

The story was meh, nothing special. The Mario family was stupid. We don't need to see Mario's mom and pop. They added nothing to the story either.

I could go on. Jack Black and the blue guy from Galaxy were the only saving grace.

 

[AJUMP23]

Instead of let it go, Letsa Go

 

[justiceiro]

While the whole industry is trying to make games more like movies, Nintendo is making movies more like games.

 

[Robb]

Instead of let it go, Letsa Go

Letsa goooo!
Letsa goooooo!
It’s-a-me Mariooooo!

 

[DareDaniel]

The commercial pop songs were annoying and threw me out of the movie, I understand it can't be all Mario tunes, but Take on Me from A-Ha? Fuck off.

Maybe they wanted to use a song that was released in the same year of Super Mario Bros on NES for nostalgia?
Anyway, nothing you said ("annoying", "boring", "meh") provides any explanation on why the movie is "soulless".

 

[Fbh]

Zelda or Metroid next? I would say Zelda.

Donkey Kong would make the most sense as he and other DK characters were already in the Mario Movie and you can easily make another similar child friendly movie with the IP (you can even have Mario show up).
I honestly don't see them making a Metroid Movie. It doesn't have the same mass appeal and it'd be hard to make it child friendly without ruining the style/atmosphere. Maybe an animated TV show with Netflix/Amazon.

 

[Oddvintagechap]

It’s the worst movie in that list.

Maybe it’s better than the other illumination movies.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

A lot of bad movies in that top 10 list. Holyshit, this is why the West believes animation is just for children.

 

[Tams]

A lot of bad movies in that top 10 list. Holyshit, this is why the West believes animation is just for children.

I mean, if you're going with the whole 'the East sees animation as for anyone', well... the quality of the stories of a lot anime leaves an awful lot to be desired, and many are just escapes back to childhood stories.

I'd even say that the absolute dumpster fire that probably should be forgotten of The Rings of Power has a better story (even after the butchering of Tolkien's work) than many anime.

 

[Deerock71]

this whole list is garbage save for Toy Story 3

While I won't say the whole list is garbage, I honestly think Toy Story 3 should've won best picture the year it came out. It was a journey as epic as Bilbo Baggins'.

 

[Kilau]

Now the thing with Zelda is do they adapt Breath Of The Wild, some previous game's storyline, or make a new Zelda story strictly for the movie?

New story so they can make Zelda a girl.

 

[Pelao]

I had to translate this for a streaming service prior to the digital release and, even though I had to watch it for work and the quality I watched it in wasn't the best, I found it quite enjoyable. I don't think it's the best movie on that list, but I do think it's the most competent thing they could have done with the IP. I understand why it is so successful.

 

[MMaRsu]

Maybe they wanted to use a song that was released in the same year of Super Mario Bros on NES for nostalgia?
Anyway, nothing you said ("annoying", "boring", "meh") provides any explanation on why the movie is "soulless".

Ok fine bro, like I give a fuck.

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

I'd love to get a version with a complete Mario re-dub by Charles Martinet.

 

[Nautilus]

Ok fine bro, like I give a fuck.

If you didn't, you wouldn't be replying to this thread, and certainly wouldn't be replying to him.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

I mean, if you're going with the whole 'the East sees animation as for anyone', well... the quality of the stories of a lot anime leaves an awful lot to be desired, and many are just escapes back to childhood stories.

I'd even say that the absolute dumpster fire that probably should be forgotten of The Rings of Power has a better story (even after the butchering of Tolkien's work) than many anime.

Post the list of anime you've seen. Do not say Demon Slayer or you're going on a block list.

 

[Knightime_X]

Good. Looking forward to other Nintendo movies.

 

[Codes 208]

Instead of let it go, Letsa Go

I hate it, take my like

 

[Azelover]

Zelda or Metroid next? I would say Zelda.

I think maybe Smash.

 

[Zimmy68]

Amazing. I watched. Didn't hate it but I completely forgot it after 5 minutes.

 

[Golgo 13]

All of you are sleeping on Puss and Boots 2. Arguably one of the better animated movie in a good while. “Lobo” was amazing.

Puss In Boots 2 is one of the very, very best animated movies to come out in like 10 years.

Laugh out loud funny for kids and adults, great characters, an amazing redemption story - seriously brilliant.

 

[SmokedMeat]

It was super generic and the voices are annoying. I don't need to hear Seth Rogen's laugh as Donkey Kong. Completely took me out of the experience.

I have nothing against SR, I love him as an actor but in this.. nah.

Chris Pratt was boring. No fun personality given to Mario through his voice.

The commercial pop songs were annoying and threw me out of the movie, I understand it can't be all Mario tunes, but Take on Me from A-Ha? Fuck off.

The story was meh, nothing special. The Mario family was stupid. We don't need to see Mario's mom and pop. They added nothing to the story either.

I could go on. Jack Black and the blue guy from Galaxy were the only saving grace.

It’s a kids movie, and one with more funny spots than I anticipated.

Complaining about the story in a Mario movie is peak goofiness. Like the games had complex stories

 

[Little Mac]

Puss In Boots 2 is one of the very, very best animated movies to come out in like 10 years.

Laugh out loud funny for kids and adults, great characters, an amazing redemption story - seriously brilliant.

For me it was how haunting and badass the antagonist was and his reasoning behind pursuing Puss. Also Puss' enlightenment during the climax.

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

Can't wait for the Zelda movie.

 

[Big Baller]

 

[LarsQMorient]

The Super Mario Bros Movie seems okay.

 

[Tams]

Post the list of anime you've seen. Do not say Demon Slayer or you're going on a block list.

Well, of the ones you're less likely to use in a misguidef argument against me:

• Black Lagoon
• Psycho-Pass
• Steins Gate
• Evangelion
• The Flowers of Evil
• Silver Spoon
• Bakuman
• Log Horizon
• Magi
• White Album
• Space Dandy
• Space Brothers
• Saint Young Men

And a fuck-load more. Some rather 'childish' or very much based around school life.

Look, I love anime as much as computer games. But you can't deny that many aren't the most 'mature'.

 

[reksveks]

Such an ehh film sadly, the musical reference to the games and the Easter eggs were cool but very boring.

 

[ReBurn]

Suck it, critics

 

[Zannegan]

Nintendo be like:

This GIF is goijg to get so much use if Nintendo can bring their Switch momentum to its successor. Lol.

 

[-Minsc-]

Zelda or Metroid next? I would say Zelever. GiveI'm unsure about Zelda being next, but definitely not Metroid.

Metroid seems to have the vibe of being a cult classic whenever (if ever) it's released.

Give it a good Alien feel.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Metroid seems to have the vibe of being a cult classic whenever (if ever) it's released.

Give it a good Alien feel.

The feminist movement within Hollywood will try to have their hands all in that movie. I would only be ok with the movie being made if Sakamoto had full veto power over story and characters.

 

[Synless]

The feminist movement within Hollywood will try to have their hands all in that movie. I would only be ok with the movie being made if Sakamoto had full veto power over story and characters.

Brie Larson is already wet on the concept of playing Samus.

 

[skneogaf]

Crazy as it doesn't deserve it, the movie is boring!

 

[Mister Wolf]

Brie Larson is already wet on the concept of playing Samus.

 

[stickkidsam]

Zootopia and incredibles 2 are good

I’ll give ya Zootopia but Incredibles 2 was just a disappointment.

Brie Larson is already wet on the concept of playing Samus.

 

[MaxwellParrish]

I mean, if you're going with the whole 'the East sees animation as for anyone', well... the quality of the stories of a lot anime leaves an awful lot to be desired, and many are just escapes back to childhood stories.

I'd even say that the absolute dumpster fire that probably should be forgotten of The Rings of Power has a better story (even after the butchering of Tolkien's work) than many anime.

Your argument make no sense : East see animation as a medium for everyone, exactly as live action. This doesn't mean that a serie or a film could and very often is been made with a specific target in mind, both in age and/ or sex, but they can easily choose a mature target and still be commercially viable.

 

[DeathGuise]

Like clockwork in every Mario thread. Does the "woke" propaganda know it's living rent free in your minds?

Anyway, it was a fantastic film that truly had me smiling like a little school boy seeing all the nods to my early childhood. Fiance and I loved it, even if the story was somewhat rushed it still had heart. Apparently that's hard to critique appropriately for many reviewers.

 

[Pop]

Weird, it was completely soulless.

Maybe you are

 

[Tams]

Your argument make no sense : East see animation as a medium for everyone, exactly as live action. This doesn't mean that a serie or a film could and very often is been made with a specific target in mind, both in age and/ or sex, but they can easily choose a mature target and still be commercially viable.

I never said that there aren't 'mature' Asian animations.

But compared to the number of the (good) Western live action films and shows, they are miniscule.

Tell me, where is their equivalent to Rome, The Wire, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Spooks, The Thick of It, Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon?

Mostly it's down to tastes (and perceived tastes by broadcasters). But for outside audiences that does leave a lot to be desired (and that goes both ways).

 

[Portugeezer]

Gawt dayum! That's actually insane. Remember all the kids singing "let it go" seemingly forever?

Now we have nostalgic parents instilling some Mario culture into their kids.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Deserved.

Perfect movie for kids, just a fun ride for the family, something Disney and Hollywood don’t care about anymore cuz woke propaganda is more important.

This. It's really a perfect movie, full of positivity and the action is brisk. Damn, even Bowser is likable. No drama, no philosophical monologues, just pure fun.

 

[MMaRsu]

Maybe you are

Man some triggered fanboys in here

 

[RAIDEN1]

I've started watching it....about 45 minutes in....what I don't get is the origins of Princess Daisy, its like she just ended up walking through the pipe and lands in mushroom land, but how did she find it, what about her parents? This movie is what should have been released in 1994...instead of the late Bob Hoskins as Mario...there was no need for a live-action adaption, that being said I guess the CGI wasn't quite there yet in 1993/94 to have it on a Toy-Story like level of presentation....

 

[calistan]

One thing I notice about that top 10 list is that the movies are all extraordinarily high quality. Every single one of them is an absolute banger that I'd watch (have watched) multiple times - a perk of having an 8-year-old daughter.

I was never all that convinced by CGI animation in the Toy Story 1 / Antz era, and I always preferred the look of classic hand-drawn Disney and Ghibli, but the stuff that Disney and Pixar have been putting out in the last 10-15 years is amazing, on both a technical and a storytelling level. Illumination is a tier below that, for me, but still very good, and then there's a sea of Euro-jank that only helps the top players stand out even more. Did anyone see Ghibli's plasticky debut CGI effort? Almost heartbreakingly ugly.

Spoiler: Earwig the Witch by Ghibli

By the way, compare the top 10 grossing animated movies to the top 10 overall. Personal taste, but to me this is mostly a list of complete shit that I would never watch again, and the animated top 10 far outstrips every movie here. Goddamn Marvel films are a cancer. Not sure why the Lion King remake wasn't listed at #1 in the OP, but I prefer the original anyway. Frozen 2 comes in at #13 in the overall list.

1	Avatar	$2,923,706,026	2009
2	Avengers: Endgame	$2,799,439,100	2019
3	Avatar: The Way of Water	$2,320,247,738	2022
4	Titanic	$2,264,743,305	1997
5	Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens	$2,071,310,218	2015
6	Avengers: Infinity War	$2,052,415,039	2018
7	Spider-Man: No Way Home	$1,921,847,111	2021
8	Jurassic World	$1,671,537,444	2015
9	The Lion King	$1,663,075,401	2019
10	The Avengers	$1,518,815,515	2012

 

[Lupin3]

Great movie, and well deserved. The entire family loved it. Am already waiting for the second one.

 

[DareDaniel]

Ok fine bro, like I give a fuck.

 

[GigaBowser]

Good. Looking forward to other Nintendo movies.

 

[V1LÆM]

Still waiting to see it. Couldn't be arsed going to the cinema to see it. I'll catch it whenever I can rent it online to stream.

a live action zelda would fucking suck.

it has to be animated and have similiar visuals to BOTW/TOTK.