I observe The Super Mario Bros Movie in its opening week with the intention of writing this article about easter eggs and references only to find that the film is nothing but easter eggs and references. A thorough synopsis would be indistinguishable from a comprehensive synopsis of the entire film.
The plot for The Super Mario Bros Movie is paper thin. Narratively, the characters are static, bordering on indolent; None of them have an arch or growth. It’s just one action set piece at a time; Your enjoyment is closely linked to your pre-existing knowledge of these characters and your ability to spot a parade of tributes to Nintendo history.
In other words, it’s narratively identical to a Mario 2D platformer. Critics complain about the lack of characterization and depth in Mario Movie. But to paraphrase Gertrude Stein, there is no “there”. We don’t have to be so strict.
Unlike HBO The last of uswhich brought the cinematic aspirations of his game to its logical conclusion, the brilliance of the Mario franchise has never been the plot; It was the gameplay. It was this perfect blend of imaginative, educational level design and hairpin controls.
Take that away and we’re left with a roll of Easter eggs, which is exactly how this movie was intended. Here are 20 of the best we’ve discovered. Which was your favourite?
