Super Mario Bros Movie Breaks Box Office Records with Epic Slow-Motion Scenes

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has received its fair share of criticism, including Screen Junkies' latest Honest Trailer that pokes fun at director Zack Snyder's excessive use of slow motion. However, despite the mixed reviews, the animated adaptation of the beloved Nintendo video game franchise has managed to win over audiences worldwide. The plot follows Mario, played by Chris Pratt, as he teams up with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) to save his brother Luigi (Charlie Day) from the clutches of Bowser (Jack Black) before the villain takes over the Mushroom Kingdom. The Super Mario Bros. Movie has shattered records, grossing over $1.2 billion globally, making it the highest-grossing video game movie to date. In fact, it even holds the title of the highest-grossing movie of 2023.

The video envisions Snyder taking on the challenge of directing a film adaptation of Max Payne, a popular video game known for its incorporation of slow motion action. Given Snyder's past work on films such as 300, Sucker Punch, and Justice League, which all prominently featured slow-motion sequences, he seems like an appropriate choice for comparison. Screen Junkies also takes a moment to poke fun at Luigi's limited screen time, the obligatory casting of Rogen and Key, and Bowser being little more than an animated version of Black.

For years, the film industry has struggled to capture the essence of video games on the big screen. Early attempts such as Street Fighter, Double Dragon, and the original Super Mario Bros. movie were poorly received and almost extinguished any hope for studios to tap into the gaming market. Despite numerous attempts in the following decades, Hollywood failed to make any significant headway. However, with advancements in visual effects technology, video game adaptations have finally begun to gain mainstream popularity.

After the successes of Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Uncharted at the box office, The Super Mario Bros. Movie proved to be a standout example of how a video game franchise can successfully make the jump to the big screen. One of the key factors in its success was its faithfulness to the source material when bringing the iconic characters to life. The film's design choices were also well-received by audiences, avoiding the controversy faced by Sonic the Hedgehog. Additionally, setting the story within the Mushroom Kingdom and incorporating elements from various Mario games helped to create a sense of nostalgia for older fans while still appealing to younger generations.

With The Super Mario Bros. Movie's impressive financial success, it's highly likely that Nintendo and Illumination will explore the possibility of building a cinematic franchise around the beloved video game characters. Fans of Luigi can hope for a more prominent role in a potential sequel, as the character was largely sidelined in the first film. Screenwriter Matt Black has expressed interest in exploring a Bowser's revenge storyline in a sequel, following the events of the first movie. It's clear that Hollywood is taking notice of the potential of video game adaptations, with numerous projects already in the works.