The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - Blu-ray Review

[Michael Scott]

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie



Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:

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Movie
I was one of those people who immediately poo-poo’d 2023’s The Super Mario Bros Movie simply due to the fact that animated video game films were usually NOT that great, and also the fact that the last movie based on the IP was the horrendous 1990s live action debacle. But color me shocked when The Super Mario Bros Movie netted over a billion dollars and turned out to be one of the highest-grossing films of 2023. So when I picked up a black Friday 4K disc last year, I was blown away by how much fun it actually was. The film had heart and actually formed a cohesive story while leaning into the platforming nature of the original games. Effectively, it was how a video game film SHOULD be treated, rather than stuff like Pixels or Minecraft. So you can bet that I was eager to watch the sequel this year and ended up leaving the theater satisfied. Like most sequels, it isn’t AS good as the one that came before it (only a few sequels ever do live up to the original in full), but still a very enjoyable family film that just WORKS.

Once again, Mario (Chris Pratt) and his brother Luigi (Charlie Day) are off on another adventure in the world of Super Mario Bros. They’ve saved Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), the Toadstools are safe, and Bowser (Jack Black) has been reduced to miniature status and is of no threat to the world anymore. But adventure comes calling when Princess Peach receives word that her long-lost sister, Rosalina (Brie Larson), has been kidnapped by Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) and is being held prisoner at his fortress as he leverages her to get his father released from his effective prison. Now it’s up to the intrepid plumbers, a smoking hot princess, some magic toads and a few other Nintendo IP’s to track down the captured princess and save the world once more.

Going into the sequel, I wondered how they would up the ante and make use of the craziness that was the “Galaxy” series of Mario video games, and I wasn’t disappointed for the most part. The movie is bigger, better, and even bolder than the original one in terms of locations and encounters. We get high-flying, galaxy-hopping adventures that have us leave the world of the Toadstools behind. Including killer frogs, an undead version of Bowser (a sweet little game insert), and even Starfox himself being inserted into the narrative.

My only real complaints come from the fact that there is almost TOO much stuffed into the film. The runtime is a brief 98 minutes with credits, but it feels overstuffed and chaotic at times. As if they spent too much time with ADHD jumping around from galaxy to galaxy, and not enough time really fleshing certain bits out. Bowsers' shift from good guy to bad guy once more feels a bit rushed. And Starfox’s insertion, while cool, was something that needed a LITTLE bit more buildup in my opinion. That being said, those are only minor to moderate-level complaints, and not really something that drags the story down too much.




Rating:

Rated PG for action, mild violence, and rude humor




Video:

It wasn’t a huge shock to me to see that this was going to be another picture-perfect Blu-ray, much like its predecessor. Universal and Illumination Studios are notorious for putting out drop-dead gorgeous animated transfers, and this one is no different. Straight from the digital tap, this is pure perfection from beginning to end. Much like the first film, this is an absolutely colorful image from beginning to end, with reds, greens, galaxy blues, and gigantic orange fireballs dominating every scene. I mentioned above in my critique of the film itself that the flick was a bit chaotic, and the visuals are very much in line with that. We jump from chaotic bits of the galaxies to the other, ranging from a dinosaur-infested world, giant space battle with green lasers and baby-making guns (not as bad as it sounds, trust me), and the lovely world of Princess Peach and the toadstools. Fine details are stunning from beginning to end, and I saw no signs of crush, banding, or other pesky artifacts that might dampen our viewing pleasure. Luckily for us, this is just straight-up 5/5 goodness with nothing major out of place.







Audio:

The Dolby Atmos track is no slouch either, giving us a bass-heavy and intense mix from the very get-go. The opening sequence with Rosalina defending her home from Bowser Jr. is bass-heavy, with intense LFE and a rather wild array of surround effects. And while the film can get a bit talky at times with Mario discussing plans with his buddies, but the movie's chaotic nature applies to the sound mix as well, with high-octane surround channels and bass that likes to come out of nowhere and just vibrate your whole room. Chest-rattling explosions, the thudding of Bowser’s footsteps as he crosses the bridge. It’s all just one giant sonic boom that doesn’t let up. Dialog is crisp and clean, and I find the dynamic range to be more than large. Especially when Starfox enters the equation and engages with Bowser and his son.










Extras:

• NEXT LEVEL: MAKING THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE – Go behind the scenes of this epic journey across the cosmos as the visionary creators at Nintendo, the acclaimed filmmakers and artists of Illumination, and the extraordinary cast who redefined these iconic characters reveal the artistry behind every meticulously crafted moment.
• CAST OF CHARACTERS – Explore how this impeccable cast masterfully embodied the iconic MARIO BROS. Characters, honoring their legacy while captivating audiences across generations worldwide.
-- Mario & Luigi
-- Peach & Rosalina
-- Bowser & Bowser Jr.
-- Toad & Yoshi
• EXPLORING THE GALAXY – Guided by the filmmakers and cast, audiences embark on a journey through the film's most iconic settings, revealing the thoughtful layers of nostalgia embedded in each one.
• GALACTIC THEMATICS – The emotional core of any SUPER MARIO BROS. Film lies in its relationships. This piece delves into the bonds between characters, examining the alliances that are tested, the connections that are broken, and those that endure and evolve forever.
• COSMIC TUNES – Some sounds are unmistakably SUPER MARIO BROS. Composer Brian Tyler invites audiences inside his creative process, reimagining the franchise's iconic game music as a powerful cinematic score that drives the action and elevates this epic adventure.
• POWER-UPS – There is no greater tool in the galaxy than a perfectly timed power-up. Take a closer look at the many power-ups featured in the film, explore how the filmmakers selected which to include, and hear from the cast as they share their personal favorites.
• SECRETS OF THE GALAXY – Brimming with cleverly hidden Easter eggs, the film invites fans to return again and again to catch them all. In this feature, the filmmakers and cast offer insider guidance on where to look, what to watch for, and the surprises waiting to be discovered.

Final Score: ​

Look, the first film was a blast, and while this one isn’t far behind it, I feel that it was a slight step down from its predecessor. The film was a bit too chaotic for my tastes at times, giving us less plot development and more “ooh, over there!” as we’re jerked from one Galaxy location to the other. That being said, this is still a fun family-friendly movie, and one that is 2026’s highest-grossing film to date, and not by a small margin either. While I despise most classic “video game movies” (I still have nightmares of Minecraft), the Super Mario animated films have been the exception. Both films are filled with clever gags, good use of actual in-game Easter eggs and fan service, and both have a MASSIVE following over the last few years. Definitely a fun family watch.


Technical Specifications:

Starring: Brie Larson, Virginia Dare Jelenic, Benny Safdie, Charlie Day, Chris Pratt
Directed by: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc
Written by: Matthew Fogel
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC
Audio: English: Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core), Spanish, French DD Plus 7.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Studio: Universal Pictures
Rated: PG
Runtime: 98 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: June 16th, 2026

Recommendation: Fun Family Watch