“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” doesn't exactly push boundaries, but it accomplishes what it sets out to do: Make a crap-ton of money and leave audiences entertained enough to show up for the next, inevitable chapter.
Where the film comes up short is in its lack of ambition. Nintendo continues to treat these characters as untouchable icons rather than evolving protagonists. No one really struggles. No one meaningfully changes.
Like the games themselves, this is designed as pure escape. It’s colorful, fast-moving, and easy to consume.
