What they did well was chain together a few decades of Mario tropes in interesting ways. On more than one occasion they reduced a 3d problem to 2d platforming and captured the core Mario mechanics rather brilliantly. If they couldn't work a powerup somehow into the scheme, it got some kind of placement in passing like the SMW capes, which were part of their "real life" advertising campaign.
What was frustrating is that Mario is already thoroughly established and does not need an origin reboot. When I play Mario, I don't aspire to be one who aspires, I aspire to be the "invincible" plumber that does amazing things, Ryukahr style. One comical flub somewhere in the movie would've been appropriate. So many so often was like getting kicked personally.
The whole "as long as we're together" bit was frustrating too. Its importance is set up just in time for it to be broken, then it doesn't matter for most of the movie, only to be celebrated at the end? The writers really should've spent some time defining the ideals these characters inspire, and focus the story appropriately. Instead we got a montage of brilliant shots with no real character development.
Voice-acting was on point. Really thought we'd see more Jack Black. What I thought would be a 3-5 minute ballad turned out to be roughly 30 seconds. Taking down the penguins was entertaining. Could've used a few more shots really driving home Bowser's nature. Would've been so much better if he never took a sweet turn, and the flowers were just ironic.
What was frustrating is that Mario is already thoroughly established and does not need an origin reboot. When I play Mario, I don't aspire to be one who aspires, I aspire to be the "invincible" plumber that does amazing things, Ryukahr style. One comical flub somewhere in the movie would've been appropriate. So many so often was like getting kicked personally.
The whole "as long as we're together" bit was frustrating too. Its importance is set up just in time for it to be broken, then it doesn't matter for most of the movie, only to be celebrated at the end? The writers really should've spent some time defining the ideals these characters inspire, and focus the story appropriately. Instead we got a montage of brilliant shots with no real character development.
Voice-acting was on point. Really thought we'd see more Jack Black. What I thought would be a 3-5 minute ballad turned out to be roughly 30 seconds. Taking down the penguins was entertaining. Could've used a few more shots really driving home Bowser's nature. Would've been so much better if he never took a sweet turn, and the flowers were just ironic.
