The Super Mario Galaxy Movie review: Cute sequel is better than the first, thanks to this new character

In a world of soulless video game adaptations, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a breath of fresh air because it knows exactly what it is.

The Chris Pratt and Charlie Day-led sequel doubles down on the video game references and the marketability of some of its cutest characters.

And while its story isn’t a significant step up from its predecessor, it does enough to continue exciting future sequels. What remains the biggest highlight of this Illumination joint is the animation and the score.

Brian Taylor continues sampling the signature Mario musical cues from the video games and is never too on the nose, and the vibrant sequel looks gorgeous. Plus, the Super Mario Bros. are actually together for the most part in the sequel.

For a movie called The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it didn’t feature a whole lot of the Mario Bros. , at least together. Clearly, Illumination and Nintendo aren’t aiming for sophisticated stories with their two animated Mario movies.

But what The Super Mario Galaxy Movie lacks in story, it makes up for in stars, namely Glen Powell as Fox McCloud. What’s the Super Mario Galaxy Movie about? A still from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie courtesy of Illumination/Universal.

Some time after the events of the last film, The Super Mario Galaxy picks up with Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), who are still good-doers and solving people’s problems.

They are called to uncover a mysterious creature in the sewers of the Dune-like Sand Kingdom. This is where they discover Yoshi (Donald Glover), an adorable dinosaur who becomes Mario and Luigi’s compadre.