Review: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a direct sequel to 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the first cinematic introduction of Princess Rosalina, a lesser iconic character than Princess Peach, but just as beloved by fans. This movie inspired many cosplayers to create their own versions of Rosalina's famous blue dress, and all the ones I've seen so far are stunning! Though the cosmic princess is absent for much of the film due to her capture early on, not a second of her screen time is wasted. She delivers a beautiful maternal presence that exudes both power and femininity, and her personality shines through her story.

Although I have not played Super Mario Galaxy, I found this movie to be a thoroughly enjoyable and fantastically whimsical experience that follows the spirit of its predecessor without feeling like a carbon copy. It mirrors the original by having a character rescue a sibling from an evil spiky turtle. Although Mario and Luigi are still present in this film, they do get overshadowed by Peach and Rosalina, whose story takes center stage. That didn't bother me, but some fans might take issue with it. Mario's feelings for Peach shine throughout the movie when he gives her an iconic birthday present and treats her as a respected teammate, demonstrating positive behavior towards women.

The movie is action-packed and a lot of fun to watch. The bright and colorful world is fraught with danger lurking around every corner, making for fun battle and chase scenes that can capture even the shortest of attention spans. However, it still has emotional moments as well. Bowser's relationship with his son is a major plot point that adds both humor and heart to the story. After becoming reformed in the first film, Bowser struggles to communicate to his son that his former wicked ways may not have been as admirable as he once thought, while Bowser Jr. wants to prove himself as the villain his father always wanted him to be. Peach's relationship with Rosalina, though a bit rushed, adds a softness to the story that demonstrates there can be as much power in kindness as in strength.

It's clear that this movie was made by people who loved the games. They did not attempt to change any of the characters from their light-hearted natures, nor did they try to push any hidden agenda. It was simply bright, whimsical fun. Though I didn't catch all the references to the games, there were a few scenes that alternated to the pixelized animation style of the SNES era, which was charming to watch. Yoshi made a major appearance and stole the show for much of the film with his humor and cuteness. Princess fans who stay until the end of the credits are in for a treat with an additional surprise cameo.

If you're looking for deep storytelling, themes, and character development, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is probably not the best choice, though anyone familiar with the franchise should already be aware of that. However, if you're looking for a fun escape with bright, whimsical worlds, fast-paced action sequences, and well-meaning characters with a lot of heart, this is a great option for you. With so few animated princess movies left over the past decade, this film does a great job of balancing its royal heroines with courage and kindness. I enjoyed this movie just as much as the original, if not more.