Editorials

 


 

This section of the website will feature opinion and editorial pieces about topics related to the Super Mario Bros. film--ones exclusive to our site and others from around the internet.

 

 

Exclusive SMB Archive Editorials

 

Eight Bits Against Eight Colors: Super Mario Bros., Dick Tracy and the Almost Unreal

Author: Adam Bertocci

 

Notes: Writer Adam Bertocci provides an in-depth analysis of Super Mario Bros. and one of its more overlooked (and underrated) contemporaries--1990's Dick Tracy live-action adaptation.

 

 

The Appeal of The Gross: Tactility and Super Mario Bros.

Author: Zoe Crombie

 

Notes: Film critic Zoe Crombie explores one of the unsung reasons why the Super Mario Bros. movie remains a much-discussed topic amongst genre fans: its slimy, visceral, and weird take on the Mushroom Kingdom and its inhabitants.

 

 

The Live-Action Sonic is a Modern Pantomime

Author: Rory Joscelyne

 

Notes: With a live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie on the way, SMB Archive contributor Rory Joscelyne traces the history and impact of both the Sonic and Mario brands, along with speculation about the film and suggestions for how fans should approach the event.

 

 

"Super Mario Bros." and Orpheus

Author: Witney Seibold

 

Notes: Film critic and essayist Witney Seibold discusses the Super Mario Bros. film as an example of Orphic myth and Northrup Frye's "Green World" literary device.

 

 

Ecology in Super Mario Bros.

Author: Lindsay B.

 

Notes: Nuclear power advocate Lindsay B. discusses the ecological themes of the film and how they relate to issues of renewable energy and conservation in the real-world.

 

 

Survivor Stompers: 25 Years Later [Part Two]

Author: Blake Dumesnil

 

Notes: In this article, longtime site member Blake Dumesnil continues his remarkable journey of tracking down and obtaining both a single Thwomp Stomper boot and an astonishing pair. The boots had long been thought simply thrown in a dumpster after production. Thanks to Blake, we now know otherwise.

 

 

Koopaism is Capitalism

Author: John Leavitt

 

Notes: Writer/cartoonist John Leavitt discusses the political themes and subtext of the film and how they relate both to American history and the contemporary American political climate.

 

 

What Do Italian Fans Think of the Super Mario Bros. Movie?

Author: Valeria Girardi

 

Notes: Italian pop culture writer Valeria Girardi discusses the Italian reception of the film. Girardi had previously written Super Mario fa ritorno sul grande schermo dal lontano 1993: il nuovo film sarà davvero un successo? for Italian website Pokémon Millennium.

 

 

"This Ain't No Game": Original Super Mario Bros. Trailer Restored in 4K

Author: Ryan Hoss

 

Notes: Thanks to Raleigh's A/V Geeks and SMB Archive's Rory Joscelyne (through his Reset Media Productions studio), the SMB Archive has exclusively presented a new 4K scan of the "This Ain't No Game" teaser trailer.

 

 

Super Mario Bros. "The Power" Trailer Gets a 4K Restoration

Author: Ryan Hoss

 

Notes: Thanks to friend of the site Ben Gourlay and SMB Archive's Rory Joscelyne (through his Reset Media Productions studio), the SMB Archive has exclusively presented a new 4K scan of "The Power" trailer.

 

 

Interview--Paul Shipper (Super Mario Bros. Blu-Ray Steelbook Artist)

Conducted by: Steven Applebaum & Ryan Hoss

 

Notes: This SMB Archive exclusive interview with artist Paul Shipper is a revealing look at the creative process involved in the production of his cover art used for the Zavvi Limited Edition Steelbook variant of Second Sight's Super Mario Bros.Blu-Ray.

 

 

Review--Super Mario Bros. (Second Sight Blu-Ray)

Author: Ryan Hoss

 

Notes: The official SMB Archive review of Second Sight's superb Blu-Ray release of Super Mario Bros. the review goes into detail about the quality of the video, audio, and special features.

 

 

SMB Archive at Otakon 2011

Author: David Oxford

 

Notes: In this article, longtime SMB Archive correspondent David Oxford provides us with an entertaining account of his trip to Otakon 2011 dressed as Bob Hoskins' version of Mario from the film.

 

 

Survivor Stompers: 25 Years Later [Part One]

Author: Blake Dumesnil

 

Notes: In this article, longtime site member Blake Dumesnil relates his remarkable journey of tracking down and obtaining both a single Thwomp Stomper boot and an astonishing pair. The boots had long been thought simply thrown in a dumpster after production. Thanks to Blake, we now know otherwise.

 

 

 

Additional Editorials

 

Ombre Dying: The DIY guide to making a Princess Daisy Costume

Author: Annie and Ryan

 

Source: Lost and Farm

 

Notes: Annie and Ryan from Lost and Farm go over all the steps you need to take to make a movie-inspired Princess Daisy costume at home!

 

 

DIY Super Mario Bros. Movie Costumes

Author: Annie and Ryan

 

Source: Lost and Farm

 

Notes: Annie and Ryan from Lost and Farm go over all the steps you need to take to make movie-inspired Mario, Luigi, and Bob-Omb kids costumes at home!

 

 

John Carter / Super Mario Bros. A Comparative Study.

Author: Jérémy Beaujoin

 

Source: Hushed Conversation (French)

 

Notes: French pop culture writer Jérémy Beaujoin discusses 2012 film John Carter and compares it to the similar science-fiction/fantasy adventure film Super Mario Bros. (1993). Special thanks to Simon Langlois for translation.

 

Could've Been A Krull: Super Mario Brothers

Author: Robert Peterson AKA Tony Lazlo (http://www.robertjpeterson.com)

 

Source: CC2K

 

Notes: Peterson's article focuses on the idea that Super Mario Bros. could have been better if it had simply focused on a singular tone. The suggested tone is that of a self-referential, meta film akin to The Princess Bride.

 

The essay goes on to opine the fluctuating tone between a "straight-up kids' movie" and a "grimier, more self-aware action flick for young adults." If the film had only settled on a single tone, it speculates, the film could have been a lot better. The "Mario Mario/Luigi Mario booking scene" is offered as an example of the comedic sensibility the film should have had throughout.

 

 

Mario Bits: The Thwomp Stomper

Author: Eduardo Jardim (Reino do Cogumelo)

 

Source: Nintendo Blast (Portuguese)

 

Notes: This mini-article focuses on one of the most iconic elements of the film: the Thwomp Stomper hydraulic-boots. By grounding Mario's distinctive ability in the real world, the Thwomp Stomper boots lifted him and his world into something much more.

 

The boots are something distinctively "Marioesque" as well as an exaggerated realism. In short, they're exactly what the filmmakers were going for in one handy little package.

 

 

5 reasons to enjoy the Super Mario Bros. movie

Author: Eduardo Jardim (Reino do Cogumelo)

 

Source: Reino do Cogumelo (Portuguese)

 

Notes: This translated article from SMB Archive affiliate site Reino do Cogumelo details the top five reasons why the Super Mario Bros. movie isn't a waste of your time, and why a lot of the negative criticism simply isn't valid.

 

 

 

 

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