'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' debut with mixed Rotten Tomatoes score

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has opened to mixed critical reception, recording a 44 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes following the lifting of the review embargo.

The sequel to the 2024 global box office success arrives in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, with early reviews reflecting a divided response from critics.

The film sees Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy and Jack Black return to voice Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Bowser.

New additions to the cast include Donald Glover, Glen Powell, Brie Larson and Benny Safdie, expanding the franchise’s character roster.

Rated PG, the sequel moves beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, taking its characters into space for a series of cosmic adventures. Despite its expanded setting and ensemble cast, critics have highlighted both strengths and weaknesses in the film’s execution.

Among the positive reviews, Lindsey Bahr of The Associated Press wrote, “Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri ... seem committed to keeping things light and playful even while beholden to advancing some kind of coherent, moderately compelling story where there wasn’t one previously.”

However, several critics expressed concerns about the film’s narrative depth. Clarise Loughrey of The Independent wrote, “There’s barely a plot here. Not a single memorable character. Not even another piano ditty for Jack Black to sing. It’s a series of large, vaguely connected explosions.”

Owen Gleiberman of Variety added, “Not a single one of these characters, including Mario and Luigi, occupies the centre of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. And that’s because the movie has no centre.”