Mario and Luigi are back, this time racing motorcycles across desert dunes and soaring through outer space. But while The Super Mario Galaxy Movie delivers bigger action and brighter visuals, its story doesn’t always keep up with its ambition.

The film was released on April 1, just three years after the original installment. The 98-minute animated adventure is packed with colorful action and appeals to a wide audience, making it a strong choice for family nights or outings with friends.

The first “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (yep, that’s grammatically correct) grossed more than $1.36 billion worldwide in 2023 and became one of the highest-grossing animated films ever. That success led to the sequel’s announcement early the next year. This time, the story expands far beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, shifting into a galaxy-spanning adventure with higher stakes and a wider cast of characters.

The story centers on Bowser Jr., who is determined to rescue his father and take control of the galaxy. To carry out his plan, he targets Rosalina, the mysterious cosmic guardian. This forces Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and their allies to split into separate groups for a high-stakes intergalactic journey. The storyline introduces new characters like Yoshi, while giving returning characters more time to shine, though the constant switching between storylines sometimes makes the plot feel a tad bit rushed.

Voice performances help bring the chaos to life. Jack Black once again delivers an energetic and scene-stealing performance as Bowser. Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy return as Mario and Peach, offering solid performances even if they do not fully match the original game voices. New additions stand out as well. Brie Larson voices Rosalina with a calm, grounded presence, while Benny Safdie gives Bowser Jr. an emotional edge that makes his motivations more compelling. Donald Glover also joins as Yoshi, adding a lively and playful energy to the cast. Together, the cast balances humor and emotion, helping ground the fast-paced action with performances that keep the characters engaging.

The animation stands out as one of the movie’s biggest strengths. Vibrant colors, detailed galaxies, and creative planet designs make each setting feel immersive and true to the spirit of the Super Mario Galaxy series. Numerous easter eggs referencing other Nintendo titles, such as Pikmin and Star Fox, offer deeper references, rewarding longtime fans.

Compared to the 2023 film, this sequel goes much bigger in scale with its cosmic settings and constant movement between locations. However, that larger scope comes with a few trade-offs. While the first movie felt more focused on Mario and Luigi’s relationship, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” sometimes struggles to maintain a smooth pace. Several transitions feel abrupt, especially when the film jumps between character groups without giving scenes enough time to breathe or develop emotional connection. One extended space-travel sequence in particular feels forced, which slows the momentum rather than building excitement.

Despite the occasional pacing issue, the movie remains full of high-energy action, including fast-paced chases, large-scale battles, and moments of humor that keep the tone light. At 98 minutes, the runtime feels shorter during its most engaging scenes.

Overall, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is an entertaining and visually impressive adventure. While it does not always fully succeed in balancing its story, it clearly aims for a bigger and more ambitious version of the Mario world.The film rarely slows down, keeping viewers in a constant rush of color, movement, and noise that mirrors the game-like energy of its world. Even if its narrative occasionally feels uneven, it remains an enjoyable watch for families and fans. In the end, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” pushes the franchise into a larger and more ambitious direction, showing how the Mario universe continues to evolve and expand even after decades on screen.

Final rating: 8/10.

This story was originally published on The Day Creek Howl on April 13, 2026.