The movie "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," based on Nintendo's game character "Super Mario Bros.," started screening nationwide on the 28th and has been receiving rave reviews online. Comments like "It's too perfect. A film adaptation couldn't be more perfect," "The ultimate completion as a Mario movie," and "An ideal entertainment movie that can be enjoyed by those who have played Mario games to their hearts' content and those who haven't" are flooding in.

As Shigeru Miyamoto, the "creator of Mario" and Representative Director and Fellow at Nintendo, said, the film is exactly the kind of entertainment that "doesn't betray those who love games" and "can be enjoyed by those who are not familiar with games."

The film, characterized by action and humor typical of Illumination (known for the "Despicable Me," "Minions," and "SING" series), allows viewers to enjoy an action-fantasy that feels like playing a Mario game. It also tells a story of brotherly bonds and the growth of a young man.

In an interview with co-producer Miyamoto and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, Miyamoto mentioned that there are foreshadowing scenes in the movie, jokingly saying, "You'll understand after watching it five times." This indicates that the movie contains cleverly hidden elements that may not be fully appreciated without watching it multiple times. Here are reasons why you must watch the movie at least three times:

The Game Elements Are Packed Throughout

Miyamoto described the film as if members of the "Mario troupe" from Nintendo's "talent agency" were performing. In addition to the "main cast" like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Toad, and Donkey Kong, characters like Spike from "Wrecking Crew" (1985) make cameo appearances. The directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, along with writer Matt Fogel, are big fans of the Mario games, having meticulously researched the games and their design to incorporate elements common across all Super Mario games into the 90-minute film. The movie also features game music composed by Nintendo's Koji Kondo, along with new music for the movie composed by Brian Tyler, who skillfully incorporates original 8-bit Mario game sounds into new tracks.

The Characters Are So Charming You'll Want to Meet Them Again

The movie's portrayal of Mario characters as beings with real emotions and ordinary human concerns was a major challenge, aiming to make a film enjoyable for both gamers and non-gamers. The introduction of Mario and Luigi's parents and family as young twins living in Brooklyn was one of the surprises, offering a new perspective on the characters. Each character's personality shines through even in small details, making audiences want to revisit them.

You Must Re-watch the Opening Logo Movie
Miyamoto shared insights about the opening logo movie, where the arrangement was changed upon Chris Meledandri's suggestion to make a seamless transition into Mario's world. This thoughtful detail, including Mario Kart sounds in the Illumination logo, might have been missed by many, warranting another viewing.

Watch Both the Subtitled and Japanese Dubbed Versions

Miyamoto emphasized the naturalness of conversations in both the English and Japanese scripts, crafted separately rather than translating the English script into Japanese for dubbing. The original English version and the Japanese dubbed version, featuring a stellar voice cast for both, offer distinct experiences of the same visual content.

In summary, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" is not just for kids; it's a masterpiece that will make even the adults want to thank their children for asking them to watch it. With nostalgic hit songs from the 80s and a blend of original and game music, the film invites everyone to the theaters for a memorable experience.