The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – When Bowser Jnr kidnaps Princess Rosalina, Princess Peach is called upon to help save her. Leaving the Mushroom Kingdom in the hands of Mario and Luigi, she sets out across the Galaxy. However when Bowser Jnr attempts to free his father from Peach’s castle the brothers and new friend, Yoshi, end up on a different world. Now, also on their own mission on new across space, can our heroes stop Bowser Jnr from completing his dastardly plan? 

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc

Rating: PG

Running Length: 98 mins

Starring: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy

Genres: Animated, Comedy

REVIEW: THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE

Plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, are household names after several decades of computer game hijinks with an enduring popularity across generations. The hit Nintendo Wii video game ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ from 2007 now serves as the backdrop for the sequel to 2023’s ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ with lots of game references for those of us who spent several hours travelling across colourful computer generated pixel worlds.

Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach live happily together in the latter’s grand castle with a shrunken Bowser kept prisoner. However. Bowser’s son has a plan from a childhood promise from his father and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. Although Mario is still in love with Peach, his fumbled attempts to tell her how he feels doesn’t overtake anything and separating the pair for a good portion of the movie actually works well, especially as Peach doesn’t need rescuing – she is off on her own adventure. Is Bowser a redeemed baddie or is he just telling the brothers what they want to hear so he can escape their clutches?

The movie has several plot threads running through it and while they all work separately, it is very satisfying when they all come together. Overall this is an excellent kids film – it’s colourful, fun, exciting and sometimes a bit scary but everyone is bound to come away from it with a smile on their face.

CONTENT: IS ‘THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

A huge robot/spaceship lands on a peaceful planet and with a scary robotic voice tells the princess there that it is going to take her. An exciting fight ensues. The robot is vicious and slams its large, metal arms at the princess. As this is near the beginning of the movie, it could be a shock for younger kids.

Mario and Luigi are asked to deal with a strange creature inside a pyramid. They enter a dark corridor and bats with red eyes fly out suddenly. They are a little apprehensive but carry on regardless, dozens of eyes watch them from the dark behind them. The creature makes strange and scary noises; when they discover where it is, they look inside a hole and there is a jump scare. However, no-one is hurt and the creature is saved.

Bowser Jnr keeps a princess captive and tells her ‘Try to enjoy it Princess, it’s the last place you ever see alive’. He uses a large paintbrush which creates paint which can take on any form he wishes. The paint engulfs the princess entirely, her frightened eyes being one of the last things seen.

Bowser threatens Mario and Luigi and says ‘I’ll rip the skin off your bones!’, then instantly calms down and apologises.

Bowser Jnr uses his paintbrush to cover himself in paint – he has scary glowing eyes and a sharp, jagged mouth. This imagery could be scary for kids.

A T-Rex chases several characters and roars loudly. This scene is around 2 minutes long and very exciting – although it could be quite frightening for some kids.

During a fight, an established character falls into lava and sinks completely, their hand reaching out being the last thing seen. A loved one is devastated and this is sad for a brief period although circumstances change to a more positive conclusion.

Bowser Jnr’s paint is used to create a huge, scary dragon which roars loudly and attacks the heroes. A character is eaten by it but the dragon is defeated soon after.

One of Rosalina’s star ‘children’ is a prison guard and speaks to an inmate in a very creepy way. Although the star is a ‘good’ character, this manner of speaking could be unsettling for some kids. The same character was in the first movie also so if your children have seen The Super Mario Bros. Movie then this scene shouldn’t be of any concern.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE’ FOR KIDS?

Full of game references many adults are going to love, whilst also being colourful and fun for the kids, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ is a hit sequel for all member of the family. With a few scary scenes and exciting but somewhat prolonged action, we feel this movie is appropriate for kids aged 6 and over.

• Violence: 2/5
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (a couple of characters appear to be in extreme danger or killed and loved ones become distressed, however the circumstances change quickly so upset is kept at a minimum)
• Fear Factor: 1/5
• Sexual Content: 0/5
• Bad Language: 0/5
• Dialogue: 1/5 (some threats to harm enemies)
• Other Notes: deals with themes of family, friendship, redemption, strength of character and helping those in need.

Words by Laura Record