Nintendo fans, rejoice! The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is finally here. And, as promised, it’s a visual spectacle made for those nostalgic for the video games of the ‘90s… As well as for modern teens and kids who love bombastic action sequences in 3-D, 4-D and IMAX.
The first film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, focused on the iconic New York plumbers, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), getting transported to the Mushroom Kingdom. There, they aided Princess Peach (Anna Taylor-Joy) and her denizens against the rampaging Bowser (Jack Black). Thankfully, even though the fight came to the Big Apple and endangered humans, the siblings and Peach were able to shrink down and imprison Bowser, saving the day.
His toxic masculinity and sinister need to marry Peach came to naught, all while bringing the Princess and Mario closer. This sequel builds on that budding romance, while bringing new, cosmic threats close to home. The result is something marvelous to look at but a bit imbalanced narrative-wise.
Looking for an ending explained for the chaotic finale of the movie? Wondering which other Nintendo characters cameo, whether there are end credits sequences, and if there will be a Super Mario 3? Here’s an in-depth breakdown of what transpired from this latest collaboration between Illumination, Nintendo and Universal Pictures.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Recap:
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has many arcs intersecting across the running time. Mario and Luigi pick up on the last movie’s post-credits, finding the talismanic dinosaur, Yoshi (voiced by Donald Glover in what’s essentially the same as Vin Diesel one-wording for Marvel Studios’ Groot). The creature quickly becomes part of the crew, much to the chagrin of a jealous Toad (Keegan-Michael Key).
This quirky dynamic is important moving forward when it’s revealed that Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) is seeking revenge for his father’s defeat and imprisonment in first movie. In addition, he wants to conquer the galaxy. He uses his magical staff-cum-paint brush and his deep knowledge of technology to kidnap Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson).
He wants a couple of things: Bowser Jr. desires his father back at his side, yearning for his approval, and he wants to fulfill the tyrant’s old dream of dominion over the universe. The kid also desires Rosalina’s magic to power his citadel, Planet Bowser. It’s a remix of Star Wars’ Death Star, with Rosalina meant to power a cannon that can destroy worlds who don’t swear fealty.
Bowser Jr. has been conditioned this way since he was a child, adoring dad’s bedtime stories of ruling together. While Bowser has lost that rage and is trying to redeem himself, his son still clings to that sense of violence and aggression. Little does the “prince” know of the secret weapons being formed against him. One of Rosalina’s Lumas helps Peach discover Rosalina is her long-lost sister; someone who sent her away from an unseen threat craving their cosmic magic. For years, Rosalina kept watch over Peach in the Mushroom Kingdom, reading stories and regaling her Lumas with Peach and the plumbers’ heroics.
Alas, Rosalina has now become a battery. As the story progresses, Peach, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Toad have their work cut out when they launch a formidable rescue mission. Initially, Mario and Luigi hang back at Peach’s castle, only to see it destroyed after a Bowser Jr. raid. And then Bowser flips sides, rejoining his son… Which is when the heroes meet their Han Solo, Fox McCloud, from the Star Fox video game and barrel roll off to save the day. This leads to a rousing finale filled with explosions and tributes to the vast array of Super Mario Bros. games.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Ending Explained:
There’s a lot happening during the ending in what’s very much a cluttered cast. Rosalina’s Lumas end up working with Team Mario after Fox’s ship, the Arwing, gets damaged. The heroes, buoyed by their new transport, eventually pilot through a fleet of Koopa pirate ships and confront the Bowsers.
Peach and Mario go through the catacombs, as the film intersperses the iconic labyrinth and bridge battles from the game against Bowser. They even manage to drop the bridge and burn Bowser in the lava beneath, a la the original video game. This enables Dry Bowser, the skeletal behemoth, to rise up. Bowser Jr. armors up and joins his father.
But Luigi and Yoshi have power-ups of their own when the massive rumble breaks out. Cloud Luigi is activated, with Mario becoming a Drilldigger hybrid. Yoshi, though, is a helpless, hapless, comedic bubble.
The brawl concludes in a two-pronged manner. Peach darts off to rescue her sister. She connects spiritually and mystically to Rosalina, stopping the death ray. They’re destined to create life and planets, not bloodshed. As the plumbers incapacitate Bowser, using Bowser Jr’s brush to conjure iconic Nintendo character Mr. Game and Watch, his son conjures up a giant dragon… Only to be eaten by it. It’s a meta-statement on how war can backfire at times. Maybe.
Mario, however, feels for his enemy. He knows all Bowser wants is a family, ergo why Bowser was keen on atoning in the first place. Bowser even sacrificed his own freedom to the Honey Queen (Issa Rae) to help the brothers go find Peach. Thus, Mario powers up with a Red Star, becomes a human missile, bursts through the beast in gooey fashion, and rescues Bowser Jr. He reunites the Bowsers so they can go find Sr.’s bones. It’s payback for what Bowser did in his brief sojourn as a hero.
The finale then sees Rosalina and her Lumas joining the Mushroom Kingdom. The alliance rebuilds the palace, giving Peach a renewed sense of home. Her and Mario’s crush continues to grow, too. Mario flies to the top of the castle in the end sequence, planting a Peach flag in a nod to when gamers finish stages in an act that basically affirms, from the cameos (such as the vile frog gangster, Wart) and Easter eggs (like Donkey King swinging around NYC), this movie is all about fan service.
How Many Post-Credits Scenes Does The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Have?
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has two end-credit scenes. The mid-credits scene showcases Fox heading back to outer space. His background dictates that he got lost from his crew in an inter-dimensional rift. Now, thanks to the Princess’ magic, his vessel is fixed and he can return to his universe.
It’s a bit ironic that he’s voiced by Top Gun: Maverick’s Glen Powell. It teases a Star Fox spinoff and perhaps him assembling other allies for a future Smash Brothers movie. This sequence quickly shifts to the nihilistic Lumalee (Juliet Jelenic) guarding and threatening Bowser and his progeny. It confirms they got caught and thrown in a cell. They’re petrified of this cute, glowing being in the most hilarious fashion.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s post-credits highlights one of Wart’s goons being roughed up by none other than Princess Daisy. She’s in her classic yellow garb, smiling. She doesn’t say anything so fans are left to interpret what her plan is down the line. It may be that another retcon is coming, perhaps shaping Daisy as another sister.
This ties in nicely to Taylor-Joy’s request for a Princess team-up someday. It would be welcomed at a time when properties like Barbie flew the feminist flag high and had young girls and adults alike singing and dancing with glee. Seeing as the sisters have cosmic powers like the Celestials (*cough* Star Lord!!!) and that Peach is yet to understand, learn and harness hers, Daisy and Rosalina would be great mentors.
Exploring Daisy’s realm, Sarasaland, and the affiliated kingdoms is a possibility, too. Her nemesis, Tatanga, would be an ideal foil if the studios do decide to explore this “Princess Power” creative chess-piece.
Will There Be A Super Mario 3?
The set up for Super Mario Bros. 3 is quite evident. It does feel, with the Nintendo Cinematic Universe now a bit more concrete, there will be a multiversal threat looming. It hinges on Rosalina’s flashback. Rosalina and Peach were pseudo-deities made from stardust — which is why their attacker wanted them.
Once that entity approaches in the future, Team Mario will need aid from all over. It could result in Fox’s crew offering aid. Spinoffs may set all these heroes up with historical stories and then position them to sync up later on, just like Marvel’s Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, or DC’s Justice League. With heroes assembling, this shadowy figure could form a coalition of their own. This is the perfect backdrop for the evil versions of Mario and Luigi, Wario and Waluigi, to appear.
A third film can also find Bowser and his boy using their talents for good. They could seek absolution and attain a new purpose. Like Universal does with the Fast & Furious franchise, villains can come back to the light because all they want is a tribe to call their own. And, make no mistake, Team Mario is willing to accept stragglers, especially for this hidden, hungry figure — a la Thanos, Darkseid and Galactus — to come. Or perhaps this villain will be… Some sort of “master hand?”
Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Good?
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is quite entertaining. But it feels more style than substance. The movie is caked with rollicking, swashbuckling fights that pay homage to the games. However, the character development is lacking with key characters getting minimal screen-time, leading to a lack emotional attachment.
For example, Peach and Rosalina’s past is rushed, although that could be because a lot is being held back for future stories. Still, it’s never explained why Rosalina wouldn’t go meet Peach after it’s clear she is a capable warrior. Or how the Bowsers knew about her power. The fact the movie doesn’t come back to Rosalina much after she’s kidnapped further makes her feel thin.
More backstory could also have been provided as to why Fox wants to be a hero. Other than money, he falls into the stigma of the dashing rogue that’s not worth trusting. The movie doesn’t even capitalize on the opportunity for a rivalry there with Mario thinking Fox wants Peach. It’s wasted potential, especially as there is a blank canvas for non-gamers and casuals. A bit more nuance could have been offered up rather than tropes that end up making Fox feel one-dimensional and shucked in because of some creative and commercial box that needs to be ticked.
Lastly, the story really does come off a tad convoluted with so many moving parts. Yoshi’s background is neglected, Toad’s dislike of the dino isn’t handled well, nor does their reconciliation get proper air-time. It’s as if the creatives know they have beloved assets to chuck together, similar to Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. In the end, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie loses that original, inventive feel the precursor had, sacrificing depth for a shallow, basic, predictable plot that AI could have conjured up.
With so many more animated properties out soon — Toy Story 5, Animal Farm, Minions & Monsters, etc. — this sequel is a missed opportunity to carve out meaningful, streamlined storytelling and character portraits the way the likes of Luca, Elio and the new TMNT cartoons did. But one thing is for certain: the foundation has been laid for wild adventures to come in a franchise that, while it misses the mark on the feels, does know how to shape a distinct, alluring look.
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