The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: embraces spectacle and nostalgia, doubling down on what the first film did

Pleasing everyone has always been an impossible task. That challenge becomes even greater when adapting a video game into a film, where everything matters: how closely the characters resemble their original designs, whether the story respects the source material, the inclusion of easter eggs and references, and how faithfully the film follows what players remember. Get any of that wrong, and audiences are quick to push back. Animation allows for more creative flexibility, but even then, clearly defining who the movie is meant for can be tricky. The Super Mario Bros. Movie proved that point. While it delivered on spectacle, it fell short narratively, yet still became one of the highest-grossing animated films in recent years. With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, there’s now a chance either to course-correct—or to double down and push that formula even further.

Warning: This review avoids major spoilers, though a few minor plot details are mentioned.

We have a dinosaur now!

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes us back to the Mushroom Kingdom, where Mario and Luigi are now firmly established as heroes, working alongside Princess Peach to keep the kingdom in balance. Trouble arrives when Bowser Jr. invades the Comet Observatory and kidnaps Rosalina, the guardian of the cosmos, as part of a plan to rescue his father, Bowser. One of Rosalina’s Lumas travels to the Mushroom Kingdom seeking Peach’s help, setting off an intergalactic adventure that sends the heroes across multiple planets in a race to save the galaxy.

While its predecessor did not stand out for its narrative foundation, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie does not overcomplicate things by trying to be something it is not. The carryover effect from the previous film—moving from one scene to another where things happen without lingering too long—remains, for better and for worse. This time, since it is not an origin story nor an exercise in establishing characters or locations, everything moves more directly. There are specific moments, such as the backstories of Yoshi, Bowser Jr., and Rosalina, that attempt to establish certain elements, but they do not go much further. Personal conflicts are minimal; Mario’s internal struggle to prove his worth, present in the first film, is no longer there. Ironically, Bowser is the character who remains in the most conflict throughout the movie, though even that feels rather superficial.

And while there is no particularly strong character development, it is still possible to see the characters behave differently. We get a more empowered Princess Peach, ready for adventure. After being separated before, Mario and Luigi now work together—accompanied by an adorable Yoshi. Unfortunately, the film tries to give everyone the spotlight, which limits the space for meaningful individual growth. Even so, what it does not lack is action. Something is always happening, whether it is a comedic beat or an action sequence. The pacing is solid and allows the audience to catch background details or pay attention to character interactions, but once again, it is a constant succession of scenes designed to avoid any moment of distraction.

That familiar feeling

Easter eggs and references are once again a core part of the experience. While The Super Mario Bros. Movie already leaned heavily on fan service, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes it a step further. Not all of these callbacks are visual. The soundtrack subtly incorporates the opening notes of classic themes, and without ever playing full tracks, they trigger nostalgic moments that become part of the experience for adult viewers.

This is also where several cameo characters come into play. The first one that can already be discussed is Fox McCloud, and frankly, revealing him ahead of release was a mistake. Even so, his appearance still works as a surprise, and more importantly, his inclusion makes sense. I do not know if the fact that Mario and Fox have shared the screen for nearly 27 years in Super Smash Bros. plays a role, but his presence is justified enough to feel natural within the story.

Visually, Illumination continues to excel. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is designed as a spectacle-first experience, and it shows. The animation is polished, colorful, and packed with detail, clearly benefiting from Nintendo’s extensive library of character models and environments. Some action sequences stand out in particular—the casino scene being a highlight—making smart use of space, motion, and visual density.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is not trying to win awards or redefine animated storytelling. It doesn’t aim for emotional depth or complex themes. Instead, it embraces constant movement, recognizable imagery, and shared nostalgia. In that sense, the film feels closer to a video game than a traditional animated feature. It prioritizes entertainment, familiarity, and pacing, drawing from more than 40 years of Mario history. The result is a visually engaging, self-aware movie that understands its own limitations. It never pretends to be more than it is—and in that honesty lies both its greatest strength and its most noticeable weakness.

Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!