This new movie, based on iconic video game characters, pays homage to the numerous games starring these characters and is a fun watch whether you grew up playing Super Mario games or not.

The movie stars Mario (Chris Pratt) and his brother Luigi (Charlie Day), two aspiring plumbers trying to make it in Brooklyn, New York. However, their entire world is turned upside down when they fall through a pipe and into the magical world of the Super Mario Bros. video games and are separated. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom where he enlists the help of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) to rescue Luigi from the evil Bowser (Jack Black) who is trying to take over the world. After teaming up with Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen), the team tries to stop Bowser from using the star power to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom. But, the fight is moved to Brooklyn when Bowser’s ship falls back through the same pipe Mario came through. Mario and Luigi both use the star power to defeat Bowser and his army and save both Brooklyn and the Super Mario world, so they are able to return to the Mushroom Kingdom to become plumbers again.

This movie was definitely made to be nostalgic for those who grew up with Super Mario and all the games he stars in. Fans can see Mario jump from brick to brick and gain power ups like in the original Super Mario Bros. game. He also dodges barrels thrown by Donkey Kong, and races karts down the iconic Rainbow Road, like in the newest version of Mario Kart. The world Mario travels through is full of references to the original games and creatures that can be seen in these games as well. However, you don’t have to play every Super Mario game in order to enjoy this movie. Whether you’ve been playing Super Mario your whole life or are completely new to the franchise, there is something for you to enjoy about this new movie.

I personally really enjoyed this movie because I grew up playing Mario vs. Donkey Kong in arcades and Mario Kart and Super Mario Bros. on Wii, so I was able to get most of the references to the original games. But, I can definitely see how someone who is mostly unfamiliar with these games would enjoy this movie. It is a good mix of action and comedy and would be enjoyable to watch with the whole family. The writers did stray a little bit from the original lore of the video games with the movie. Princess Peach is not the one who has to be rescued from Bowser, as it was in Super Mario Bros., but rather Luigi is the one in trouble. Also, Peach is portrayed as a much stronger character than she is in the games. She is the one who teaches Mario how to fight in the new world he is in, and she is a strong and brave ruler of the Toads in the Mushroom Kingdom. Overall, I think this movie was a good way to inspire nostalgia in the long term Mario fans while also introducing younger audiences to the franchise.