Super smashes of adventure and comedy fill “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which brings new life to the iconic Brooklyn plumber bros Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day). Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with Super Mario Bros. game designer Shigeru Miyamoto as co-producer, this film takes the audience into the fantastical world of Mario. 

Although created almost 40 years ago, Super Mario continues to serve as a childhood staple for multiple generations. With its extensive ability to transcend Nintendo consoles, the unmistakable mustachioed brothers remain icons of popular culture. In 1989, this universally recognizable pair transitioned into cartoon characters in the nostalgic “Super Mario Bros. Super Show,” whose theme song plays in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” plumbing commercial. 

This film reveals quite a bit of Mario family lore, following the brothers, who leave their day jobs to chase their dream of owning their own plumbing company. However, an unfortunate turn of events in Brooklyn ensues, and the brothers, sporting their well-known red and green ensembles, embark on an adventure across the various Super Mario worlds. When Mario meets canonical badass Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), he must learn to square up in order to defeat Bowser (Jack Black). 

Notable characters, including Donkey Kong (Seth Rogan) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), stir excitement but also concern, since celebrity voice acting often distracts rather than enhances an animated film. Luckily, the film used the star-studded cast’s strengths to its advantage. Specifically, Jack Black demonstrates his musical comedy skills when Bowser sings his heart out on the piano. Additionally, pop songs and motifs to the iconic Super Mario Bros. video game permeate the film’s soundtrack, all of which feel well-placed.

The film seamlessly incorporates the numerous elements and worlds from the video game without overwhelming viewers. With well-explained mystical elements integrated into the movie — such as an allusion to the “Mario Kart” selection screen where the Kongs build vehicles for Peach, Mario and Toad — the world-building felt intentional rather than nonsensical.

Notably, the comedic writing in this film stands out. With a well-balanced mix of sarcasm and incongruity, the film effortlessly delivers comedy without jokes feeling cheap.

The heartwarming relationship between Mario and Luigi makes it inevitable to root for them. While grounding stakes towards the climax could further emphasize the lengths Mario and Luigi would go to protect each other, the film still delivers a warm and magical family story.  

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” successfully builds a cohesive world from the well-loved and well-known video game, showcasing a feel-good story about the Brooklyn duo. Audiences can expect to leave the theater with an ear-to-ear smile after watching this hilarious action-packed animated film. 

4.5 mushrooms out of 5