Reception
This page lists the initial reaction and reception to Super Mario Bros. from the media in the form of reviews, articles, and video after its initial release in 1993, all the way up to the present. A series of "Featured Articles"--which contain exceptionally thorough or useful information--are designated with an awesome Bob-Omb graphic.
= Featured Articles
Newspaper Reception
The Austin Chronicle
July 04, 1993 by Hollis Chacona
1.5 out of 5 stars
"Loud, frenetic and facile, Super Mario Bros. is full of noisy sound and cartoon fury, signifying… a sequel."
Notes: A short review that's generally positive, though raising the usual complaint of a poorly-written script where all the funny parts were highlighted in the trailer. The cast is said to be good, the special effects great, and the sets a brilliant "Blade Runner."
The Charlotte Observer
'Super Mario Bros.' wild ride will leave you dizzy
May 29, 1993 by Lawrence Toppman
2.5 out of 4 stars
"Bombs explode, cars careen and crash, people leap from dimension to dimension in this blaring, glaring picture, based very loosely on the famous video game. Kids might get a charge out of the mayhem. I got the vapors."Notes: A generally positive review in that nearly every element of the film is praised, particularly the visual effects and set design. However, the proliferation of all these elements results in a film without focus. Rather, it is an attempt at achieving more and more and in the process loses sight of what's already been established.
This article also ran (with slightly shorter text) in the the Albany, NY Times Union under the alternate headline of ''SUPER MARIO BROS.' LOUD, BUT FILM'S JUST A BOMB'. It can be read here.
The Chicago Tribune
June 18, 1993 by Dana Duffield and Joliet West
2 out of 4 stars
Notes: A so-so review of the film that states the special effects more than make-up for the lacking plot.
The Cincinnati Post
May 28, 1993 by Paul Clark
4 out of 5 stars
"You can enjoy this arcade of fun-loving fantasy without knowing a Goomba from a Koopa from a regular lollapalooza."
Notes: An extremely positive review praising the "computer-graphics wizardry," actors and the work put into creating a concept from a storyless game.
Deseret News
Movie Review: Super Mario Bros.
June 8, 1993 by Chris Hicks
1.5 out of 4 stars
Notes: The usual complaint of no story is raised, while the also usual praise for the special effects are stated to be "dazzling." While Chris states the movie won't have staying power, he believes Hoskins and Hopper had fun and gave it their all and compares the set direction to Blade Runner and Total Recall.
Eugene Register-Guard
'Super Mario Bros.' boring on big screen
June 4, 1993 by Lloyd Paseman
1 out of 4 stars
Notes: As you can infer from the title, he didn't enjoy the film, citing the writing and direction as major detractors.
Hartford Courant
'Mario Bros.' Visually Inventive, Virtually Plotless
May 29, 1993 by Malcom Johnson
"A lost princess, a meteor fragment and the giant fungus figure in the plot cooked up for the humanized computer heroes."
Notes: The film is neutrally examined, with comparisons to Blue Velvet (a Lynch-directed Hopper flilm) and praise given to the concept of the fungus and the acting of Shaw, Leguizamo and Hoskins.
Lakeland Ledger
'Mario Bros.' loses in the translation
June 4, 1993 by Diane Lacey Allen
Notes: In retrospect, this article is an absolute gem--a group of kid critics share their thoughts on the newly-released Super Mario Bros. Did they like it or were they confused? Read the article to find out...
Los Angeles Times
Movie Review--No Offense Nintendo: Super Mario Bros. Jump to Big Screen in Feeble Extravaganza
May 29, 1993 by Michael Wilmington
Notes: A so-so review from the LA Times, praising the cinematography and production design, while criticizing the writing.
New Straits Times
October 29, 1993 by Joan Lau
Notes: A glowing review of the film from Malaysian newspaper the New Straits Times.
The New York Times
Plumbing a Video Game to Its Depths
May 29, 1993 by Janet Maslin
3 out of 5 stars
"This bizarre, special effects-filled movie doesn't have the jaunty hop-and-zap spirit of the Nintendo video game from which it takes -- ahem -- its inspiration."
Notes: A NY Times account is needed to view this article. It focuses primarily on the oversaturation of pointless special effects and the loss of the spirit inherent to the games. Positive comments focus on the more subtle qualities of the film, such as the ease and skill with which the actors play their roles (particular Richard Edson and Fisher Stevens) and the sly touches of political satire and other jokes. Overall, she rates the movie well.
Omaha World-Herald
May 31, 1993
Notes: Short description of the film around the time of its initial release.
Reel Reviews
1993 by James Berardinelli
1.5 out of 4 stars
"Super Mario Brothers is all glitz and no substance, and makes for a pretty poor time at the movies."
Notes: A negative review describing the film as having an "unintelligible plot," though suggesting this makes for a "worthy inspiration" considering the source medium (at the time) generally not having original narratives or well-developed characters. The casting is "interesting" but none of the actors are thought to have acted well as their characters.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Effects don't impress as video game plays to big screen
June 3, 1993 by Joe Holleman
"It seems like just a few years and a couple of I.Q. points ago movie ideas came from plays, novels and short stories. Or at the very least, things without joysticks."
Notes: A negative review that nonetheless appreciates the acting of Hoskins, Leguizamo and Hopper, but seems to view the prospect of a video game-to-film adaptation as a sign of a decline in the intelligence of audiences.
Variety Reviews
Film Review: Super Mario Bros.
Jun. 1, 1993 by Lawrence Cohn
"Wildly overproduced and derivative, "Super Mario Bros." is 1993's answer to "Howard the Duck." Some brief kiddie business and eventual video rentals can't justify its nearly $50 million negative cost."
Notes: Highly negative review criticizing the narrative of the film (a common complaint), but admitting the games themselves were non-narrative. Suggests every actor was mis-cast, particular Hopper, and that none but Fiona Shaw acted well. Ends with mentioning as an aside that the morphing effects were an "OK job," Yoshi was cute, the sound is quality, and the sets are striking.
The Washington Post
May 29, 1993 by Hal Hinson
Notes: One of the most positive reviews for Super Mario Bros, this is where the infamous "It's a Blast!" line originates.
Magazine Reception
Creative Loaving - Charlotte
Mario Bros. Is Anything But Super
June 2, 1993 by Matt Brunson
1 out of 4 stars
"Unremittingly loud and obnoxious, it stands a great chance of boring even its target kiddie audience."
Notes: Unlike most other reviews from the time, Matt Brunson criticizes the set design, endearing Goombas and acting of the main cast. These, it seems, are natural consequences of a lacking script that rushes into the action without first properly developing the characters.
Empire Magazine
May 28, 1993 by Kim Newman
2 out of 5 stars
"[...]Super Mario Bros, is a shrill, hectic and tiresome fantasy with little story, less excitement and no imaginable audience."
Notes: A run-down of the plot culminating in minor praise for the special effects, including Yoshi and the de-evolution effects, but the assertion that it lends nothing to the overall story.
The original, unedited version of this review can be read on the site here.
Entertainment Weekly
June 11, 1993
Notes: A brief rundown of the May 28 - May 31 box-intake of the film.
Dec. 10, 1993 by Ty Burr
D-
"Approaching ''Howard the Duck'' in sheer turkeytude, this dingy fiasco should serve as warning to all Hollywood execs hoping to mine video games for E-Z profit."
Notes: A short review claiming the action, dialogue and characters are on a "point-and-shoot" level while the "chintzy" production design must have been imagined by a 2-year-old.
The Ridiculist: Super Mario Bros.
June 18, 1993
Notes: A cute non-review presenting the movie several mock awards.
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power - January 2001, Vol. 149, Pg. 10 - Player's Pulse
Notes: Someone defending the SMB movie... Must be one of us!
Video Reception
Siskel & Ebert
by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert
Notes: The official Siskel and Ebert review. They didn't like it.
Siskel & Ebert At The Movies 1993--Worst of '93
by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert
Notes: Siskel and Ebert revisit Super Mario Bros. in their "Worst of '93" special. Hilariously, it's the very first movie highlighted.