Star of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Jack Black, recently shared his candid thoughts on the mixed critical reception the film received upon its release in April 2023. Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, and Pierre Leduc, Illumination Entertainment’s adaptation of the iconic Nintendo video game franchise featured Chris Pratt as the voice of the titular plumber. Despite resonating well with audiences, the Super Mario Bros. Movie faced diverse opinions from critics.
In an interview with Total Film, as reported by GamesRadar, Jack Black expressed his surprise at the movie’s mixed reviews, considering his positive screening experience. Black recounted his initial optimism, stating, “They screened it for me a month before it hit theaters. I was like, ‘We’ve got a hit on our hands.’ I’m laughing and smiling the whole way through this movie.”
He further added, “And then it came out and it got horrible reviews. I was like, ‘What movie did they see?’ Luckily, the world didn’t listen to Rotten Tomatoes, and it was one of the biggest hits of all time.”
Analyzing the Critical Reception of The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Super Mario Bros. stands as one of the most beloved and recognizable video game franchises, putting immense pressure on Illumination to deliver a successful cinematic adaptation. With doubts surrounding the suitability of the franchise for the big screen, especially considering the lukewarm reception of the 1993 live-action movie, and controversies over Chris Pratt’s voice for Mario, expectations were high.
The Rotten Tomatoes score for The Super Mario Bros. Movie currently rests at 59%, earning it the “Rotten” designation. While many reviews commend the film for its fun and well-animated nature, as well as its abundance of Easter eggs and game references, critics suggest a lack of substance in the story and characters. In contrast, the audience score boasts a robust 95%, indicating a more favorable response from general viewers.
The film’s strong Rotten Tomatoes audience score aligns with its impressive box office performance, concluding its theatrical run with over $1.36 billion worldwide. This remarkable success reflects the movie’s ability to please crowds. Anticipation now builds for a potential sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with hopes that it will continue to captivate audiences while perhaps incorporating a more compelling narrative and powerful themes.
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