THB #356: Super Mario Bros

First 15 Minutes Of The Film

Make no mistake… I am rooting for this movie to be a massive success. I have been a fan of the marketing and publicity campaign. (Check this out.) I expect a great worldwide run. It’s good for exhibition and the industry overall.

We got a note before last night’s all-media screening to come early because they were overbooked for the 2 big screening rooms at the AMC Universal Citywalk. That is always a good sign. And the screening was fun, loaded with children and grandchildren, many of whom came in costume (well, headgear).

Feels like the biggest pre-summer movie of the year, launching today.

As far as a movie review… it’s alright.

The rendering of the world of Mario, including a cartoon version of Brooklyn, is, really, almost flawless. This is a beautiful work of animation. The filmmakers show special care to offer 2-D-style, proscenium arch kind of imagery - like playing the game - as well as full 3-D style, in-the-movie imagery. It really is like being ins…