Super Mario Bros movie is loved by audiences, critics less impressed

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now in theaters across the US and we’re seeing another case of disconnect between critics and audiences.

At the time of writing the score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at 54% for critics but a whopping 98% for general audiences with over 100 “verified” reviews.

Many of the harsher reviews from critics claim the film lacks substance and perhaps relies too much on nostalgia and pre-existing love for the franchise. One critic called out the movie as “self-referential” while another referred to it as a “corporate cash-in”.

Audiences on the other hand are more optimistic. Among the verified reviews, many users praised the movie’s Nintendo easter eggs and its visuals. The largest criticism from audiences surprisingly isn’t the celebrity voicework but instead the pacing of the story.

Movies marketed for children tend to be shorter than a typical film (for better or worse); so it stands to reason Illumination would struggle to fit a crash course of Super Mario Bros into 104 minutes.

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About

A basement-dwelling ogre, Brandon's a fan of indie games and slice of life anime. Has too many games and not enough time.


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