Movie Review: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Recap: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Podcast Review)

The episode of the Incession Film Podcast (hosts Megan Karns and guest Sharia Chala) reviews the animated Super Mario Galaxy sequel, discussing whether it lives up to the first Mario movie.

Main Takeaway: Visually Great, Story Thin

Both hosts largely agree the film is a step down from the first movie. While the movie looks spectacular, the writing and narrative feel extremely “thin” and underdeveloped, with fewer standout set pieces or memorable jokes than the original.

Story: Basically What the Synopsis Promises

They argue that the provided plot synopsis is essentially the entire movie—a “mysterious call for help,” an intergalactic journey, and some character-focused baggage (mostly tied to family).

Key plot elements mentioned

• Peach feels lonely and learns about her origin, leading to a sister storyline with Rosalina.
• Bowser Jr. and Bowser run a father/son dynamic, with an expectation of a redemption arc that the film inverts (it doesn’t go where you’d hope).
• Mario and Luigi are somewhat sidelined, spending much of their time orbiting other character arcs rather than receiving full emotional development.

What They Liked (Highlights)

Animation is the strongest element

They praise Illumination’s visuals as their best-looking work, especially compared to Despicable Me/Minions.

Notable visual/stylistic moments include:

• Fox/Mloud’s backstory switching to a hand-drawn style
• Bowser Jr. setting up “8-bit”-like traps, using retro aesthetics as storytelling
• A frenetic casino action sequence—chaotic, but entertaining when the energy matches the visuals

Performances

• Brie Larson (Rosalina) receives major praise for energy and “this is a dream role” enthusiasm—though they note she’s underused (not much screen time, despite trailers suggesting bigger moments).
• Anna Taylor-Joy as Peach is also well-liked.
• Jack Black’s Bowser is missed here since he has less room than in the first film.
• Glenn Powell as Fox/Mloud is described as a highlight, “stealing the movie” at times.
• Donald Glover (Yoshi) is treated as a fun surprise and strong inclusion.

Cute jokes / bits

• A moment where Mario and Peach exchange something awkwardly formal (“handshake” before affection).
• A monkey steals Toad’s backpack, with the line landing like “he used his cuteness in crime.”

What Bothered Them (Common Criticisms)

No real emotional payoff

They feel the film builds intriguing themes—like sisters reuniting and father/son identity—but doesn’t expand them enough to land emotionally.

Low memorability

They struggle to recall standout lines or sequences after the movie ends, unlike the first film’s more iconic moments—particularly citing the earlier Rainbow Road / Mario Kart sequence.

Trailer/announcement spoilage

Both agree it would’ve helped if Fox/Mloud’s presence hadn’t been revealed ahead of time, since the in-movie reveal loses impact.

Tone/quality concerns

They argue that even for kids/families, the bar shouldn’t be low: children’s movies can be thoughtful and layered, not just flashy.

Post-Credit Scenes: Teasing the Next Film

They discuss two post-credit moments:

• A small callback to the previous movie’s darkly joking Luma character in a jail-related gag.
• A stronger setup involving Daisy (and a connection to Luigi), implying the franchise could go in an Odyssey-style direction next.

Speculation about part three

They suggest the next film could benefit from:

• More screen time and depth for Rosalina (especially since she was teased but not fully realized)
• More development for Mario/Luigi and Bowser
• A narrative that’s more layered and emotionally developed
  • One host especially hopes for no romantic entanglement between Mario and Daisy, preferring friendship/platonic vibes.

Comparisons and Broader Discussion

They briefly compare the sequel to other kid-friendly animated franchises, noting that modern series like the Sonic films seem to improve with each installment, while Mario Galaxy doesn’t feel like it’s evolving enough.

Closing Verdict

Overall, they land on: not terrible, but mid-tier and forgettable—the animation carries it, but the story and character arcs don’t leave much behind after the credits.

Personalities Mentioned (at end)

• Megan Karns (host)
• Sharia Chala (guest; also reviewed the film on her YouTube channel)