HOLLYWOOD—I was born in the 80’s and grew up with the video game craze. One of the first video games I ever owned and played was 1985’s Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Gaming System (NES). There are many people who think the game is pretty easy, but all those people who say that were not victorious when they beat the game. However, I was one of those people.

I’m a fan of seeing an actual animated version of the video game as a movie. This ’90s live-action version just didn’t work. Hello, you’re talking about a cartoon character being made into actual plumbers, not sure who thought that would work. Almost 40 years later we have the version of the flick that fans of the classic game would enjoy, while kids will love it. Look, don’t expect anything narratively original.

Chris Pratt will voice Mario and Charli Day will voice Luigi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The brothers branched out and started their own plumbing business, hoping to break into business after exiting one of their competitors. The antics are pretty hilarious for kids and adults might get a giggle here or there at first.

The narrative follows the brothers as they try to save Brooklyn, New York from a major plumbing problem. Instead, they stumble across a secret subterranean world that takes them to the Mushroom Kingdom, where they meet Toad (voiced by Keegan Michael-Key), who is hilarious. Toad is without a doubt the comic relief of the whole film. Luigi was transported to the Dark Land controlled by Bowser (Jack Black’s voice). Of course we have Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy) who is smitten with Mario and the leader of the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser has been given a “Superstar” that grants him the power of invincibility as he journeys to conquer all worlds, including the Jungle Kingdom led by King Cranky Kong (voiced by Fred Armisen). The character is animated a bit, and Armisen puts that animation into the character’s voice, which goes perfectly with it.

The fight between Mario and Donkey Kong (voiced by Seth Rogan) is just one testament to how the narrative really wants to take adults back to their childhood. The replica sets, even if animated, are much like how we video game fans remember growing up. I love the tongue-in-cheek to Ridley Scott’s 2000 classic Gladiator. There’s the iconic scene reminiscent of Mario Kart, which is hilarious and also full of iconic moments-stealing scenes. The film really hits all the notes of various games in the franchise over the decades.

I love how the film’s visual effects remind adults who played the video game as teenagers. You’ve got the floating bricks, you’ve got the iconic ‘?’ Signs that bestow various powers; The filmmakers do an excellent job of making you feel like you’re in a video game. That scene with Princess Peach and Mario going through that obstacle course was epic. The nostalgia is fantastic and will instantly bring any child born in the 80’s, 90’s or 00’s and Super Mario Bros. back to your youth.

I was more invested in the flick than my nieces and nephews, which only underlines how much things from the past remind you of your childhood or time as a kid, which The Super Mario Bros. Movie effortlessly does. It never feels forced. I love the theme of brotherly love and family bonds against all odds; even those that seem impossible. Will there be a sequel? Without a doubt, and there should be one as to how entertaining this part turned out to be, it was a bigger surprise than I expected.

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Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE

March 23, 2023

The world’s most famous plumber has arrived in San Francisco.

On Thursday, pedestrians and drivers alike on the streets of SF can be treated to a surprise appearance from the Mushroom Kingdom’s go-to pipe-clearing go-to place: Super Mario. Ahead of the April 5 premiere of the new Super Mario Bros. Movie, and coinciding with the annual Game Developers Conference, a bright yellow van decorated with a logo will be driving around town handing out free merchandise related to the movie.

The van started the day on Treasure Island before stopping near Market Street. The remainder of the afternoon includes the planned Haight-Ashbury route, the Golden Gate Bridge, Marina Green, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, Moscone Center (for GDC) and Oracle Park.

Super Mario Bros. Van in San Francisco, California on March 23, 2023

Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE

Super Mario Bros. Van in San Francisco, California on March 23, 2023

Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE

Super Mario Bros. Van in San Francisco, California on March 23, 2023

Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE

A Super Mario Bro team member in the van in San Francisco, California March 23, 2023

Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE

The Super Mario Bros. van in San Francisco. (Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE)
Super Mario Bros. van in San Francisco. (Lance Yamamoto/SFGATE)

Although the drivers aren’t dressed up as Mario and Luigi, the van has plenty of nerdy details for fans. A sticker on the back of the van confirms Mario’s plumber’s license (although they only serve Brooklyn and Queens), and a phone number (929-55-MARIO) leads to a cheeky voice message announcing a new slogan about their quick service, the stock has some Familiarity for fans of the series: “We’re not saying let’s wait. We say let’s go!”

Watch the trailer for the new film below.

Dan Gentile is culture editor at SFGATE. He relocated from Austin, TX to San Francisco where he worked as a vinyl DJ and freelance food and music writer. His writing has been published in Texas Monthly, American Way, Rolling Stone, Roads & Kingdoms, VICE, Thrillist, and others. Email: Dan.Gentile@sfgate.com.

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As a New Yorker, do you need to get a whistle fixed? Assuming you are a fictional character, you can call in the brothers Mario and Luigi for help! The family business and operated The Super Mario Bros. Installation Service has officially launched its websitecomplete with references, service area and even job offers.

… Okay, so this is actually just a sophisticated, albeit charming, marketing scheme for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie, which recreates Mario and Luigi as Brooklyn plumbers before whisking them away to the Mushroom Kingdom. It’s full of quirky details like the book now button that takes you to Fandango, or a live chat feature with a surprising array of options. The aesthetic is an odd mishmash of retro simplicity and modern minimalism that seems odd, but the actual writing and layout is quite fun.

A small part of the page also details on where the plumber’s truck will make real-life appearances in the US. Over the next month, the van will visit New York, Austin, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Visit the van in person if you feel like it!

The Super Mario Bros. movie will be released on April 5th.

Written by Amelia Fruzzetti

Author and Nintendo fan based in Seattle, Washington. When she’s not working for NinWire, she’s eating pasta, writing stories, and wondering when Mother 3 will finally get an official localization.

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