DVD Corner

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Blu-ray Review

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is a dreadful sequel.  

Based on the “Super Mario Galaxy” Nintendo video games, Illumination’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is a follow-up to the CGI animated “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” In this outing, Bowser Jr. gets revenge for his father by kidnapping Princess Rosalina to harness her powers for a deadly weapon. It’s up to Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Peach and a few new allies (including the heavily advertised Yoshi) to save the day. Subplot wise, expect stories about Bowser’s attempted rehabilitation and Peach and Rosalina’s connection.

As someone who grew up on Mario games and early Nintendo systems, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was a wildly disappointing and watered down feature film. Somehow, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is even worse. Writer Matthew Fogel and directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic create what feels like more of a checklist than a movie. It’s an entirely safe, flashy, and soulless vehicle lacking in substance and character work. The box office juggernaut is more concerned with throwing out an endless array of references (baby Mario and Luigi) and characters (such as Yoshi and Wart) as it races from scene to scene. As bad as the 1993 live-action “Super Mario Bros.” is, it at least took risks and did its own thing. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is everything wrong with video game movies rolled into one.

The only redeeming feature here (aside from Illumination’s impressive and vibrant animation work) is the worst kept secret -the inclusion of Fox McCloud of “Starfox” fame. The beloved Nintendo character voiced by Glen Powell steals every scene he is in. I’d say the character should get his own movie or show but I fear the results would be similar to the Mario animated films. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? Whatever one may think about the film itself, there’s no denying it looks visually stunning thanks to Illumination’s colorful animation.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? Every iconic sound effect and every big action set piece puts the speakers to work with this A+ Atmos track.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* “Next Level: Making The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” featurette
* “Cast Of Characters”- A 4 part extra that covers Mario and Luigi, Peach and Rosalina, Bowser and Bowser Jr. and Toad and Yoshi. Interviews with the voice actors are included.
* “Exploring The Galaxy”- A featurette about the locations and designs.
* “Galactic Thematics” is all about the themes.
* “Cosmic Tunes” revolves around Brian Tyler’s score.
* “Power-Ups”- You know what this one is about if you’re a Mario fan.
* “Secrets Of The Galaxy”- A featurette about some of the easter eggs.

June 22, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Animated Movie, Bowser, Fox McCloud, Illumination, Luigi, Mario, Peach, Starfox, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Blu-ray Review, Yoshi