The new Mario movie, titled “Super Mario Bros.: The Movie,” was released in theaters on April 5, 2023. The movie is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the duo behind the popular animated series “Teen Titans Go!,” and is being produced by Illumination, the studio behind “Despicable Me” and “The Secret Life of Pets.”

The movie featured an all-star cast, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, among others. The movie followed Mario and his friends as they embark on a journey to save the Mushroom Kingdom from the evil Bowser.

Initial reviews for the movie have been mostly positive, with many praising the animation and voice acting. Fans of the Mario franchise have also appreciated the movie’s faithfulness to the source material, with many pointing out the references to the games and an iconic musical number featuring Bowser. The movie is full of references to the beloved video game franchise. From iconic power-ups to classic villains, the movie stays true to the source material while still offering fresh takes on the characters and world.

One of the most notable references in the movie is the inclusion of power-ups, such as the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower, which Mario and his friends use to aid them on their journey. The power-ups are not only visually faithful to their game counterparts, but they also function in similar ways, giving the characters temporary boosts in strength or abilities.

Mario’s brother, Luigi, is taken and held captive by King Bowser otherwise known as, “King Koopa.” He is a large, fire-breathing Koopa who is the leader of the kingdom of turtle-like creatures called the Koopa Troop or, “Koopa Troopas.” Bowser is the main antagonist and in the video games, he would always kidnap Princess Peach, the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom and Mario’s love interest. Although, in this movie, Luigi is the one who is kidnapped, and Mario makes friends along the way to help him with his journey to defeating Bowser. Bowser kidnaps the people that Mario loves in order to lure him in and try to fight him because Bowser is in love with Peach and Mario presumably “took” Peach from him. In both “Super Mario Odyssey” and “Super Paper Mario,” Peach refuses to marry him and leaves him to be saved by Luigi and Mario.

The movie also features appearances from classic Mario villains, including Bowser, Goombas, and Koopa Troopas, who are brought to life in ways that are both faithful to the games and unique to the movie. For example, Bowser is portrayed as a menacing but somewhat comedic character.

In addition to these direct references, the movie also includes nods to the Mario franchise through visual and auditory cues. The film’s score features familiar Mario tunes, including the iconic theme song, while the world of the movie is filled with colorful and imaginative environments that feel like they were lifted straight from the games.

Overall, “Super Mario Bros.: The Movie” is a fun and faithful adaptation of the classic video game franchise, and fans of the series are sure to appreciate the many nods and references to the games throughout the film. It seems to be a hit with both fans and critics alike, and it’s definitely worth checking out for anyone who grew up playing the classic Mario games.