The Daily Think

The new Super Mario Bros. movie starring Chris Pratt and Anna Taylor-Joy is set to be released in April 2023, and looks to correct the wrongs of the past. The past being in the form of John Leguizamo and Bob Hoskins with Dennis Hopper in the 1993 version of the “Super Mario Bros.” Some would say it was bad, none say it was good, but all agree it could have ruined Hollywood….and the gaming adaptation into movie industry forever if it were repeated.

Sure, you had heavyweight talents like Bob Hoskins fresh off his Who Framed Roger Rabbit fame, and Dennis Hopper the Hollywood crazy bad man after his successful role in the movie Speed, and you were joined by competent up and coming actors John Leguizamo and Samantha Mathis and veteran actor Fisher Stevens. You had a hot property that was a known commodity all over the world for already a decade, and you hit on the movie going demographic with video games kids. It seemed like such a perfect mix for success, what could go wrong. Well…in no particular order here is what happened:

The movie’s departure from the source material: Many critics and fans of the Super Mario Bros. video games were disappointed with the movie’s dark and dystopian interpretation of the franchise. The movie was set in a grim and gritty version of New York City, with little resemblance to the colorful and cartoonish world of the games.

The convoluted and confusing plot: Critics found the movie’s plot to be overly complicated and difficult to follow. The story involved parallel dimensions, alternate universes, and reptilian villains, which made the movie’s narrative hard to understand.

Poor casting and performances: Many critics felt that the movie’s stars, Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, were miscast as Mario and Luigi, respectively. The actors lacked chemistry and failed to bring depth to their characters. Dennis Hopper’s portrayal of the villainous King Koopa was also criticized for being one-dimensional and uninteresting. Great actors, but clearly not a great match to the role they were asked to play.

The outdated special effects: The Super Mario Bros. movie relied heavily on practical effects and animatronics, which were considered outdated and unimpressive compared to the computer-generated effects that were becoming more common in films at the time.

The overall quality of the movie: Critics found the Super Mario Bros. movie to be poorly written, directed, and produced. The film’s pacing was slow, and the humor fell flat. Many critics described the movie as a missed opportunity to capture the fun and excitement of the video games.

Although the Double Dragon movie would quickly follow in 1994 and the Angelina Jolie Tomb Raider followed by Milla Jovovich’s Resident Evil, who would salvage some of the video game fails, it was clear that Hollywood had not correctly captured the essence of a video game to movie port. What could be done to improve that process, well in no particular order again some requests Hollywood:

Hire filmmakers who are passionate and knowledgeable about the source material: One of the most common criticisms of video game movies is that they are made by filmmakers who have little understanding or appreciation of the games they are adapting. By hiring directors, writers, and producers who are fans of the source material and have a deep understanding of what makes the games popular and engaging, Hollywood could create movies that are more faithful and respectful to the original properties.

Stick closely to the source material: Fans of video games often have strong emotional connections to the characters, settings, and stories of their favorite games. Deviating too far from the source material can alienate these fans and cause the movies to feel disjointed and unsatisfying. By sticking closely to the source material, Hollywood could create movies that appeal to the core audience while still being accessible to casual moviegoers.

Focus on character development: Many video game adaptations have been criticized for prioritizing spectacle and action over character development and emotional resonance. By taking the time to develop complex and relatable characters, Hollywood could create movies that are more engaging and emotionally resonant.

Embrace the unique strengths of the medium: Video games are an interactive and immersive medium that allow players to inhabit the worlds and characters of their favorite franchises. By finding ways to incorporate these unique strengths into the movies, Hollywood could create adaptations that feel true to the spirit of the games while still being distinctive and engaging as movies.

Be willing to take risks: One of the reasons that video game movies have struggled to find critical and commercial success is that they often feel safe and formulaic. By taking risks and trying new things, Hollywood could create movies that are more daring and ambitious, and that stand out from the crowded field of video game adaptations.

Clearly Hollywood isn’t going to stop adapting and grabbing at dollars that can be generated from video games. HBO’s Last of Us is proving that video games can also be prestige TV. Sonic the Hedgehog’s recent movies have been successful for the box office, and Milla Jovovich has made what, half a dozen Resident Evil films? It can be done, and here’s hoping we don’t get another version of Super Mario Bros. 1993 where the great song “Everybody walk the dinosaur” is the only thing worth saving from that film. Yeah that was the biggest takeaway from that movie that had nothing to do with Super or Mario.