Film Challenge Week 12: A film with your least favourite actor (Chris Pratt)
Film: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Genre: Family/Comedy
Watched on: Prime Video
ICYMI: Chris Pratt was dubbed Hollywood's "Worst Chris" in 2020, beating Chris Evans, Chris Pine, and Chris Hemsworth for the title. There are many reasons not to like Pratt: he follows alt-right, homophobic accounts on social media, and his "both sides" argument leading up to the 2024 election. It's also valid to not like him because of his limited acting range.
Unfortunately, I have watched both of his major franchises, namely Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. So, for this week, I opted for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which drew a fair amount of criticism from die-hard fans.
Many fans criticized Pratt's lack of an accent as Mario. However, I don't think I would have enjoyed a faux Italian accent for 90 minutes.
As someone who isn't too familiar with the Mario universe beyond Super Mario Kart and Super Mario Party, I didn't dislike this film. It's one of those "turn off your brain" films that you can fall asleep to in bed or while on a 17-hour flight. My first attempt at watching this film was actually on a plane, where I promptly fell asleep after the first 10 minutes.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduces us to Mario and his brother, Luigi – two self-starting plumbers based in Brooklyn. After a pipe bursts on the streets, Mario's "can do!" attitude leads them down a manhole that transports them to another world. The brothers are separated during this journey, during which Mario receives help from Princess Peach to reunite with Luigi.
It's a quintessential quest storyline with a hint of romance, packed with adventure. Much like other films geared towards kids, Mario would face challenges but overcome them relatively easily. An example that comes to mind is Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.
Spoiler alert: When they seek the help of the Jungle Kingdom in saving Luigi, King Cranky Kong agrees on the condition that Mario defeats his son, Donkey Kong, in a Gladiator-style duel. Donkey Kong is a formidable opponent, but Mario ultimately defeats him after leveling up and gaining a Cat Suit. Was it endearing and funny? Yes. Was it ridiculous and unrealistic? Also yes.
What I enjoyed about The Super Mario Bros. is the kingdoms, such as the Mushroom Kingdom and the Jungle Kingdom. I loved seeing how each world functioned, and it didn't hurt that they were so cute and vibrant. I wish there were more world-building when it came to the kingdoms, so that we could get a deeper understanding of the societies and the systems in place. From the roadways to the people who live there, it would have been a treat to see how it all came together in the larger plot of the film. However, I can see that this could be the tip of an iceberg for another franchise, so perhaps we're just getting an appetizer?
This film tapped into a deep-seated childhood memory and unlocked my inner child's love of video games with kickass female characters. My brain chemistry altered when Princess Peach completed an obstacle course in her gown and when she changed into her motorcycle outfit. Although sadly, this film did not pass the Bechdel test.
1. The film has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. The two women have to talk to each other
3. They can't be talking about a man
You would be surprised how many films don't pass the Bechdel test, even when the bar is incredibly low. Hollywood still has a long way to go when it comes to female representation, including the representation of other marginalized identities.
Despite the film's shortcomings, I am a little more lenient with my rating because it's ultimately a film for children. My niece and nephew loved it, watched it multiple times, and remained entertained. They were upset when they found out I had not watched it, but now I can finally tell them that I did.
The soundtrack was fun. I love the various characters that made an appearance. It was a solid 93-minute runtime. We have Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach and Jack Black as Bowser. It's something you can put on in the background while doing housework or indulging in second-screen time.
I rated The Super Mario Bros. Movie 3.5 stars.
