Non-official reviews (Video and Text)

[Redstar]

Feel free to post any reviews you find of the SMB movie here, positive or negative. Both text and video reviews welcomed. The following is a list I've compiled, though I'm sure it's not complete. I've put some short comments after each link so you can get some impression of what to expect. No need to bear through all of it.

Text Reviews

Destructoid - Why the Super Mario movie is an underappreciated masterpiece (positive)

Nintendorks - Defending Super Mario Bros. The Movie (positive)

Estefan Films - Super Mario Bros. (negative)

Materialistic Boy - So bad it's good (negative)

X-Entertainment - Super Mario Bros. Movie Review In Another Castle.

Video Reviews

Positive Reviews

SWAGshow - Movie Review: Super Mario Bros. (live action)

Comments: Probably one of the best reviews I've seen out there. Intelligent and actually respects the movie for what it is, while still commenting on the things that took away from it from a film-perspective.
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IK86 Reviews - Super Mario Brothers (1993 film)

Comments: A fair review that makes all the right points. Good video editing and sound choices as well.
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kippinoka - Movie Rant/Review: Super Mario Bros. The Movie

Comments: Sound quality is a bit bad and the still image is boring, but at least the review is for the most part positive or neutral. He says what he liked and what he didn't like, so it was fair.
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merrick00987 - Super Mario Bros (movie) Review

Comments: He likes it. Says it couldn't have been done any other way, and he's pissed off that he doesn't have special features. He should come here.
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Cat Hat Reviews: Super Mario Bros.

Comments: Simply awesome review. He makes a lot of good points and comparisons, reviewing both sides of why people like or dislike the movie. And then he puts all of the SMB Movie haters in their place at the end of the video. It's a must-watch video.
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EvilGregProductions - Review - Super Mario Bros. (1993)

Comments: This one is self-defined as a "movie review/Q&A." This review spawned from comments toward his fan trailer, and he does a really good job at highlighting the good parts of the movie and talking about why it's nostalgic for him. The same could be said for a lot of us. He gives the film a 7/10.


Negative Reviews

TANG: Super Mario Bros.

Comments: Quite possibly favorite review of the movie, even though it's negative. It's intelligent, well put-together, has an excellent soundtrack, and shows just the right clips at just the right times. It's also witty and points out just the right things.
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Phil's Condensed Films #13: Super Mario Bros. (1993)

Comments: Enjoyable review, especially with the soundtrack taken from the games. However, once again, the verdict was negative.
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Worst Casting Directors Ever - Mario Bros Edition

Comments: The casting for me could go either way, really. Bob Hoskins as Mario was pretty good, Dennis Hopper was either brilliant or dumb (if you're a fanboy and wants a dinosaur), and Luigi was either a smart move in making Luigi easier to connect with for the kids or dumb for "not having a mustache". The review isn't necessarily negative, since they're purposely accentuating the negative of the casting.
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adamwestslapdog - super mario bros movie - review (part 1) and super mario bros movie - review (part 2) and super mario bros movie - review (part 3)

Comments: Kind of a neutral review, but at times he seemingly gets angry about little things in the movie that aren't a big deal. His "anger" also sounds really lazy. If you don't want to review something, then don't.
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mariorulez27 - Rant:Super mario bros.movie

Comments: He basically spends the whole time attacking the film complaining about the discrepancies between the film and the game and going so far as to suggest they never played the game. At one point he calls out Luigi for wearing his hat backwards rather than forward, which "wasn't in the games". Honestly, it just seems like he's nitpicking an he didn't watch the movie.
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MarioVsDK - Super Mario Bros. Movie Review

Comments: Like the above reviewer, he nitpicks about random shit. He also, strangely, also comments on Luigi wearing his hat backwards. Wtf Anyways... Okay, so Mario and Luigi aren't wearing the funky overalls that no actual plumber wears. Big deal. He also takes the times to say anyone that enjoys the movie or bought it "sucks".
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Timewarp1 - Super Mario Movie RANT part1 and Super Mario Movie RANT part 2

Comments: First of all, the opening intro for himself is way too long. That kind of pretentious whack-off is annoying. As for the actual review: he complains about the "evolved-from-dinosaurs" backstory, saying there was no basis in the video games except for the cartoons (which he hated). This is clearly ignorant, considering fucking DINOSAUR LAND and the fact that nearly every enemy in the game is a reptile. He also raises the oh-too-often-heard issue of Luigi no having a mustache... Except he says "beard". Clearly he has no idea what he's talking about, so neither should we.
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DantheNorseman - Mario movie rant

Comments: Luigi doesn't have a mustache. Where have I heard that before? He also says that Yoshi is the "only" dinosaur in the games. Never heard that before... Worth watching only for the end, where he says "Iggy and Morton".
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FadedHolySoldier - Mario bros movie sucks rant

Comments: He spends about a quarter of the video just talking about himself. Then he starts by mentioning Luigi's lack of a mustache. Off to a great start... Worse, he says Iggy and "Morton" are Koopa's kids. I've had enough.
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GorTheMovieGod - Super Mario Brothers The Movie - Review

Comments: "They switched everything!" Yeah, I realize that. Doesn't bother me, especially since the games themselves change things with each new one... He spends some time talking about how improbable the premise is, which is just really stupid when you consider the premise of the games.
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idiotswithacomputer - Super Mario Bros. Movie Review

Comments: No idea what happened. I wasn't really paying attention.
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Shitcase Cinema - Super Mario Bros. review part 1 of 2 - Shitcase Cinema and Super Mario bros. review part 2 of 2 - by Shitcase Cinema (negative)

Comments: I quite like the framing device of the reviewer time-traveling back to certain years to review the film from "that" perspective. Otherwise, the review is still negative. Not to such an extreme as some of these other reviews, but it's not exactly positive.
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Miymoto128's - The Super Mario Bros Movie Review

Comments: Not worth your time. He just yells a lot.
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Deliman5 - The Super Mario Bros. movie........SUCKED!!!

Comments: Negative review, of course. But at least he sounds calm. Video quality is horrendous, though.
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Andrewalbacia - Video Game Adaptation Hell: Super Mario Bros Movie Review

Comments: Just condescending about pretty much everything and dismissive of the "dinosaur" aspect, like so many people that seem to not remember Super Mario World. Also seems to think Bob-Ombs, Bullet Bills, and Yoshi were ruined in the movie, which is surprising. Both were the most faithful reference to the games. I can understand people's problems with the Goombas, but the other three?
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JoshtheMovieGuy - Super Mario Bros.(1993) Review

Comments: This review seems to mark a new trend: people not paying attention and thinking Mario is Luigi's father rather than just his father-figure. Also much overuse of looping clips. He does take the time to acknowledge the directors and others involved in the creative process, so that is a plus.
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TheLastCaipora - Movies Based on Video Games 5 - Super Mario Bros movie

Comments: Not a horrible review. He acknowledges all the faults, but doesn't rag on them too much.

[Zack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUB1qPXVdL4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5mTpTorZlU

that one guy's screenname seems to say it all "idiotswithacomputer"

[Phlibbit]

I did a little edit at the top, adding this new video review in:

Cat Hat Reviews: Super Mario Bros.

Comments: Simply awesome review. He makes a lot of good points and comparisons, reviewing both sides of why people like or dislike the movie. And then he puts all of the SMB Movie haters in their place at the end of the video. It's a must-watch video.

[Serum]

Don't forget the Nostalgia Critic's review at thatguywiththeglasses.com.

[ultimateemail5000]

Don't forget the Nostalgia Critic's review at thatguywiththeglasses.com.

I posted that in it's own thread and it didn't go over well with anybody on this forum at all...

[Zack]

I posted it above, though it's the vid on youtube

I really enjoyed the new one you posted Phlibbit He hit the nail on the head for me.

[Redstar]

Don't forget the Nostalgia Critic's review at thatguywiththeglasses.com.

I rather would, as indicated by ultimate.

Good new review, Phlib. Wasn't too in-depth and didn't offer as much as some of the previous "positive" reviews, but it was rather insightful and I'm surprised that someone made a review so recently.

[Phlibbit]

Okay, if anyone's bored...

There are a few podcasts dedicated to reviewing/blasting the film. Haven't listened to any of them fully, but if anyone wants to do so and add in their comments, we could add them to the top section.

Find 'em on iTunes:


Adudathuda DVD podBLAST | Season 3 | Super Mario Bros. - DVD podBLAST

Comments: I'm in the process of listening to this one right now. I don't know if I can bear to finish it though...so far, it's a bunch of middle-aged dudes that just do podcasts where they watch a movie and blast it.
They start off the podcast by asking each other who actually played the SMB game. Some of them had, and I think maybe one of them didn't. This one guy then asks if anyone had "solved the game." I'm
assuming that means "beat the game." Same guy also calls the warp zones "cheatin' tunnels." Yes. And most of them hadn't seen the movie before.

So these dudes haven't really played the games (past most of SMB 1 apparently), haven't seen the movie previously (enough to remember it), and just go through it, blasting it. How ridiculous.

I suppose you can't take this kind of "review" seriously, but it's just another lame example of people blasting the film just because "it sucks." Also, how are you supposed to follow this "commentary"
without having the film running behind it? It would probably make more sense if you did, but as it stands, it's just a bunch of dudes bashing the film for no reason.


Bad Movie Fiends - BMFcast - BMFcast46 – A Jump in the Hopper

Celluloid Freaks | Blog Talk Radio Feed | #53: Top 5 Composers, Stay Tuned vs. Super Mario Bros., Worst Movie Ever?, and Groundhog Day - Jun 22,2010

Geekscape: Movie Club (Audio): Geekscape Movie Club 17: Super Mario Bros.

Video DeathRay Episode 16: Super Mario Bros. The Movie (Guest: Marquee Mark Monstroski)

[Phlibbit]

Here's some additional, recent YouTube reviews, for those so inclined:

Andrewalbacia - Video Game Adaptation Hell: Super Mario Bros Movie Review

JoshtheMovieGuy - Super Mario Bros.(1993) Review

marvin8723 - Vaulting - Episode 20 Super Mario Co-Reviewers

TheLastCaipora - Movies Based on Video Games 5 - Super Mario Bros movie

[Phlibbit]

EvilGregProductions - Review - Super Mario Bros. (1993)

X-Entertainment - Super Mario Bros. Movie Review In Another Castle.

[Redstar]

I took the time to add most of your suggested reviews to the initial post's list with added comments. On a cursory look on Youtube it appears there's a bit more reviews on the movie up, but I won't be actively watching and adding them unless suggested.

[Phlibbit]

Update:

EvilGregProductions - Review - Super Mario Bros. (1993)

Comments: This one is self-defined as a "movie review/Q&A." This review spawned from comments toward his fan trailer, and he does a really good job at highlighting the good parts of the movie and talking about why it's nostalgic for him. The same could be said for a lot of us. He gives the film a 7/10.

Also Redstar, for adding some of those to the list. Since we've been doing much more important work with the site lately it hasn't been as much of a priority. However, every time I carouse YouTube I do try to see if there's anything new and add it to the list so we don't forget about it down the line.

[AngeloThomas]

Here's a new review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_-jh7OAu0I

The guy is annoying, but it has some interesting insight in it.

[Sequelcast]

Here's a review I wrote for Super Mario Bros. the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup back when I was 13 or 14. Both IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes link to it, which is somewhat embarrassing. I'm going to quote the whole review because it's short. I'm less harsh on this film now than I was when I was 14!

SUPER MARIO BROS.: THE MOVIE (1994) Starring: Dennis Hopper and John Leguizamo

This movie is based off the wildly popular video-game series of the same name. Before this film, the game had a few spin-off cartoons- which were OK. But the idea of doing a movie is insane. It should have been animated, if it should have been done at all. Instead the people do the best they can with a talented cast. Yet it still fails.

The plot is completely different from the game's plot- I'm not complaining about that. The story involves the Mario Bros. having a plumbing business in Brooklyn and having to compete with a rival company. Eventually they find a construction site by their nemesis, which happens to be enviromentally un-safe. So, due to Luigi's (John Leguizamo) girlfriend - Princess Daisy - they go and investigate. They get transported to a Blade Runner-esque world lead by King Koopa (Dennis Hopper). Somehow a plot dealing with all the dinosaurs being mutated and transported to an alternate futuristic mega-city jumbles in. The plot is fine- better than the movie deserves.

The acting is OK. This seems to be more of a visual film. The special effects are good, especially on the robotic Yoshi. However the film drags and is no fun. And it leaves itself open to a sequel, which probably won't ever be made. This movie begins sort of promising, but ends up leaving a weird taste in your mouth. So if you want to watch a sort of odd movie starring the excellent Dennis Hopper, then watch SUPER MARIO BROS.: THE MOVIE. You could do worse. But you could definitely do better... *1/2 out of ****.

[Redstar]

Here's a review I wrote for Super Mario Bros. the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup back when I was 13 or 14. Both IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes link to it, which is somewhat embarrassing. I'm going to quote the whole review because it's short. I'm less harsh on this film now than I was when I was 14!

If you have an Amazon account you should consider writing a new review to help in our push for a re-release. A higher score would certainly help in increasing sales; both of which would make the marketability and profit of a re-release far more apparent.

Your score is rather low, but even a fair rating of 3 stars would be appreciated.

[moviebuffmel90]

Considiering how my YouTube channel was taken down a long time ago, here is the other link to my review of this flick. I stil regret the day I filmed it. Don't worry, I enjoyed the movie, but originally I was going to film this on a camera I had...but I left it at my house...so, the poor quality webcam had to suffice...Oh well

Vaulting:
http://thatfellowinthecoat.com/vaultingsupermario.php

[Serum]

I know I'm going to sound Orwellian here, but I think we should make it our duty to find all negative reviews of the film and have them deleted. I'm talking about flagging websites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, as well as burning copies of so-called "Movie Guides" that have negative reviews of this truly awesome film.

[1upmushroom]

I know I'm going to sound Orwellian here, but I think we should make it our duty to find all negative reviews of the film and have them deleted. I'm talking about flagging websites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, as well as burning copies of so-called "Movie Guides" that have negative reviews of this truly awesome film.

And you were the guy who said not to forgot the Nostalgia Critic's Review of SMB.

Besides, what's wrong with not liking SMB?

[Serum]

And you were the guy who said not to forgot the Nostalgia Critic's Review of SMB.

That was a long time ago, I was a boy!

Besides, what's wrong with not liking SMB?

Everything. It is the greatest film ever put on celluloid and people need to know its greatness.

[Redstar]

I know I'm going to sound Orwellian here, but I think we should make it our duty to find all negative reviews of the film and have them deleted. I'm talking about flagging websites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, as well as burning copies of so-called "Movie Guides" that have negative reviews of this truly awesome film.

I actually had much of the "critic" reviews removed from the IMDb page; most were done by obscure blog sites while others were no longer online. I kept only those well written and largely positive.

[Serum]

Good, good. Keep up the good work.

[1upmushroom]

Ok you know what? Wanting to remove negative reviews from the movie is where I draw the line. That is just borderline censorship, I know most of the negative reviews can be trollish but guess what? There are just some people out there who don't like the movie. They have different opinions, and they have the right to.

Ok look I'm sorry to have snapped but I just don't like the idea that you're thinking of removing negative reviews, therefore censoring them just because they bashed your favorite. I don't think that's right.

[Serum]

I like how that's your 666th post. Well, I suppose maybe I am going a little overboard... But still, if we can't get rid of all the negative reviews, we should concentrate on outweighing them and burying them under positive reviews.

[Redstar]

Ok look I'm sorry to have snapped but I just don't like the idea that you're thinking of removing negative reviews, therefore censoring them just because they bashed your favorite. I don't think that's right.

I agree entirely, 1upmushroom. I would never choose to censor a review just because I don't like it. The review I had removed, as described above, were obscure blog sites that did not fit the criteria for being listed as done by a "critic."

Our entire goal with the Amazon/IMDb push is to combat the negative reviews with positive ones, not remove them.

[1upmushroom]

Well ok, that I can deal with-wait a minute. Please don't tell me you're going to make sock puppet accounts now just so you can flood the review sites with positive reviews!

[Serum]

I wasn't until you gave me that idea. Thanks! Nah, just kidding. We just need to recruit more people.

[Redstar]

Well ok, that I can deal with-wait a minute. Please don't tell me you're going to make sock puppet accounts now just so you can flood the review sites with positive reviews!

That's not exactly possible as in order to review a product on Amazon you would need to have previously purchased something, while IMDb specifically discounts such accounts. If I had 50 credit cards and unlimited funds perhaps I would be tempted to write sockpuppet reviews.