When Conan O'Brien asked Dennis Hopper if he regretted being in any of his movies, Hopper said "I made a picture called Super Mario Bros. My six-year old son at the time - he now 18 - he said, 'Dad, I think you're probably a pretty good actor, but why did you play that terrible guy King Koopa in Super Mario Bros.?' I said, 'Well Henry, I did that so you could have shoes.' And he said, 'Dad, I don't need shoes that badly.'"
I recently checked out some scripts & concept art made for an early light hearted fantasy version of the film & I think it could made for a decent flick had it been made. It would've resembled Labyrinth & The Wizard of Oz both in tone & in production design. Mario, Luigi, & Daisy were more or less the same, while Toad, the Koopa cousins, & King Bowser Koopa were going to look & act like their game counterparts. One piece of concept art suggests Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered to play Bowser.
In an Q&A with The Guardian, Bob Hoskins was asked what was the worst job he ever did, what had been his biggest disappointment, and if he could edit his past, what would he change. The answer to all three was Super Mario Bros.
@@jamstonjulian6947 SMB the Movie is in a tough spot; Too bad of an adaptation to be worth remembering but not bad enough as a movie to dismiss completely. And time to say it, Dennis Hopper is channeling Donald Trump for his Koopa character; "We need a New York property developer who's easy to parody as a fascist reptile." "How about Trump?"... said thirty years before it became relevant.
@@ricardocantoral7672 a franchise which, at the time, didn't have the nessacery amount of time built or respect around it to make a faithful movie out of. so they opted to make a movie and not a corporate product
I admit I find the ridiculousness of this movie quite endearing. Plus I'll never get over how much Goomba Toad looks like comedian Rondell Sheriden(That's So Raven, Cory in the House).
LOL, omg I shall never eat wings when watching your slaughterfest film reviews. the worst thing is, I remember those movies XD. I know exactly why I don't have a TV anymore.
Thanks for another great review. Your reviews are always good-to-great, even when what you are reviewing, isn't. I like the Auntie Beryl jokes and I miss the "Mr Bronson from Grange Hill" jokes. You haven't mentioned him for a long time, even when Michael Sheard was in the Film or TV programme you were reviewing. E.g. your review of "Indian Jones and the Last Crusade" (in which he played Adolf Hitler) didn't include a Mr Bronson joke and I don't recall Michael Sheard being mentioned in your review of the cast either. Apart from that ... Well done! Keep it up!
Apparently it was the Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais script that attracted the main cast, before Disney came on board and ordered it lightened up. All the various iterations of the script can be found online at the Super Mario Bros. Movie Archive if you want to see it for yourself.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Indeed, and they later went on to co-write Flushed Away, which shows they had the skill to write the sort of fun family-friendly adventure romp that this film should've been from day one. But, then again, Flushed Away was made by Aardman, who are experts at making fun films all ages can enjoy. Whereas SMB was produced by a guy who previously made a film all about the Cambodian genocide.
Spot on review of this movie, and making a point of emphasizing that the greatest flaw is that it’s a bad adaptation of the source material, which overshadows a good cast and quality production design. Also, big kudos on actually pronouncing “Bros.” properly! If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard a RUclipsr or a Twitch streamer say “bros” instead of the correct “brothers”, I’d be a millionaire.
In spite of SMBs being a massively successful franchise, I don't really know why they went for a live action film. Surely an feature length animation would fit the game's cartoon like style better.. The more recent Sonic films benefit from the CGi capability we have now making live action more in keeping with the feel of the game. That wasn't an option in the early 90s
Great review. I was a Sega Genesis Kid, so i didn't have much attachment to Mario at the time the movie came out. But my parents still took me to see it and i thought it was weird on its own. Even not being that familiar with the game, i could tell alot of things were off. I did like Yoshi though. Looking back on the film as an adult, i like it more now as a cheesy adaptation. More in line with the mediocre Street Fighter movie, rather than Mortal Kombat (which i genuinely loved). I'm looking forward to the new Super Mario animated film. I'm positive it will be alot more faithful to the spirit of Mario games.
I wouldn't say this film is good, but I do enjoy it on a sort of so-bad-it's-good level - I'm a big fan of the games so seeing the bizarre, off-kilter interpretation of the games' main elements provides some unintentional comedy to me. It definitely feels like a game of Chinese Whispers where the first writer played the game and then wrote a script, and then their script was rewritten by somebody else, and then their script was rewritten by somebody else, and so on and so forth, so everything from the games is there but not in the way it should be. It's definitely one of those films where the behind-the-scenes drama is more interesting than the film itself. In short: I spent money to buy this film on Blu-Ray, but not very much because I bought it second hand from CEX.
Nice one Stam. Cheers. I am not going to say anything derogatory about this film. If you love this film, go ahead and enjoy. If you want to watch this film after Stam's review, knock yourself out. If you think this film is good, fine by me. If you want to talk to your friend about this film, fill your boots.
What can you say about a movie in which its two stars admitted being stoned throughout to get through the damn thing? Fortunately for them, I'm sure Dennis Hopper kept a very active supply....
It’s nuts to think that the writers of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen Pet did a draft of Mario script that became a cyberpunk movie! I don’t hate this film. But it’s main problem is that it’s a bit dull. Only the set design and my love of Bob Hoskins has gotten me thru it
He said that Super Mario Bros. was the worst job he ever did, was his biggest disappointment, and that he would not do the movie if he could travel back in time and change one thing in his past.
The production design of this movie was actually pretty cool and impressive, just completely wrong for the subject. It's an example of how you really can't save something fundamentally misconceived by going to extreme effort.
Kind weird how the reptiles live in this nightmarish hellhole with cars that didn't run on their own power. Yet on the other hand, they possessed the technology to devolve and evolve living beings instantaneously.
This has always struck me as a movie made by people who were totally up their own asses and didn't even consider what audiences might actually want from a movie about a cute, family-friendly video game. It would be like turning Sonic the Hedgehog into a serious adult drama. You can do it, but no one is going to like it.
never liked video game movies. the general idea seems silly. still, great production design on this one and the chemistry between Hoskins and Leguizamo is nice.
I thought this film did a good job of adapting the nonsense of the game into a live action story. I mean how else could they make all that craziness seem ''real''?
that's John Leguizamo, not joe . love the channel lol
you are totally correct. that's what i get for typing too fast. oh well.
@@StamFine happens to the best of us
I saw this in the cinema three times, wore out a VHS copy, and own the Blu-ray. I love it. It's terrible, but I love it.
When Conan O'Brien asked Dennis Hopper if he regretted being in any of his movies, Hopper said "I made a picture called Super Mario Bros. My six-year old son at the time - he now 18 - he said, 'Dad, I think you're probably a pretty good actor, but why did you play that terrible guy King Koopa in Super Mario Bros.?' I said, 'Well Henry, I did that so you could have shoes.' And he said, 'Dad, I don't need shoes that badly.'"
Excellent critique.
On the topic of casting, it’s worth noting that the narrator is Homer Simpson.
In a parallel universe this ruled supreme in the all-time box office chart until toppled by the Snyder Cut of Sonic The Hedgehog.
I enjoy it for its weirdness.
I recently checked out some scripts & concept art made for an early light hearted fantasy version of the film & I think it could made for a decent flick had it been made. It would've resembled Labyrinth & The Wizard of Oz both in tone & in production design. Mario, Luigi, & Daisy were more or less the same, while Toad, the Koopa cousins, & King Bowser Koopa were going to look & act like their game counterparts. One piece of concept art suggests Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered to play Bowser.
"deceased flick"
Yep...
In an Q&A with The Guardian, Bob Hoskins was asked what was the worst job he ever did, what had been his biggest disappointment, and if he could edit his past, what would he change. The answer to all three was Super Mario Bros.
I mean they're all basically the same question
I found the DVD in the bargain bin for two bucks. I watched it. If I could fill in the hole the DVD would make a nice coaster.
Bondo or some two-part epoxy should work nicely. Just scuff the inside edge a bit.
Super Mario Bros biggest problem is that it's a hard movie to hate. It's dark and weird but the cast do their job in selling it's dark and weird.
I think it's pretty easy to hate because it's obviously a product of dumb executives that didn't understand what franchise they had.
Its biggest problem it's hard to hate? Does that even make sense?
@@jamstonjulian6947
SMB the Movie is in a tough spot; Too bad of an adaptation to be worth remembering but not bad enough as a movie to dismiss completely.
And time to say it, Dennis Hopper is channeling Donald Trump for his Koopa character;
"We need a New York property developer who's easy to parody as a fascist reptile." "How about Trump?"... said thirty years before it became relevant.
@@ricardocantoral7672 a franchise which, at the time, didn't have the nessacery amount of time built or respect around it to make a faithful movie out of. so they opted to make a movie and not a corporate product
This moves like watching a blade runner cartoon covered in the best cheese pizza in all of Brooklyn… while on acid… And I love it for it, lol
The goomba's were my favorite part of the movie along with the late great Bob Hoskins
On a side note , the word Goomba became a favorite insult of mine . IYKYK😂
I admit I find the ridiculousness of this movie quite endearing. Plus I'll never get over how much Goomba Toad looks like comedian Rondell Sheriden(That's So Raven, Cory in the House).
Shut. UP 😂 Rondell Sheridan Lmao 🤣 💀 Now I can’t unsee it
LOL, omg I shall never eat wings when watching your slaughterfest film reviews. the worst thing is, I remember those movies XD. I know exactly why I don't have a TV anymore.
I watched this movie in the theater
&
I had the soundtrack on cassette tape
Thanks for another great review. Your reviews are always good-to-great, even when what you are reviewing, isn't.
I like the Auntie Beryl jokes and I miss the "Mr Bronson from Grange Hill" jokes.
You haven't mentioned him for a long time, even when Michael Sheard was in the Film or TV programme you were reviewing. E.g. your review of "Indian Jones and the Last Crusade" (in which he played Adolf Hitler) didn't include a Mr Bronson joke and I don't recall Michael Sheard being mentioned in your review of the cast either.
Apart from that ... Well done! Keep it up!
saving Michael Sheard as Hitler jokes for another time he played Hitler
Stam fine always has to hand a new spin on a given film's main theme or melody. Always a treat.
According to the principal cast, they were all lured in by a script that was actually good. I would have liked to have seen what attracted them.
Apparently it was the Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais script that attracted the main cast, before Disney came on board and ordered it lightened up. All the various iterations of the script can be found online at the Super Mario Bros. Movie Archive if you want to see it for yourself.
@@BenCol Those guys seem to have a knack for good dialogue. They did write the good lines in Never Say Never Again and The Rock.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Indeed, and they later went on to co-write Flushed Away, which shows they had the skill to write the sort of fun family-friendly adventure romp that this film should've been from day one.
But, then again, Flushed Away was made by Aardman, who are experts at making fun films all ages can enjoy. Whereas SMB was produced by a guy who previously made a film all about the Cambodian genocide.
I won’t have a word said against this movie. I had to sit through it twice to lose my virginity!
I think I need context for that...
Greatest vid o game movie of all time!
And if You don't agree then you probably don't have a drinking problem
Mario and Luigi are twins. Wario is not related to them, just their rival
Spot on review of this movie, and making a point of emphasizing that the greatest flaw is that it’s a bad adaptation of the source material, which overshadows a good cast and quality production design.
Also, big kudos on actually pronouncing “Bros.” properly! If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard a RUclipsr or a Twitch streamer say “bros” instead of the correct “brothers”, I’d be a millionaire.
Dire, Dire Dorks is brilliant 👏
This is why Miyamoto'-san was more involved in the cartoon.
Great review
In spite of SMBs being a massively successful franchise, I don't really know why they went for a live action film. Surely an feature length animation would fit the game's cartoon like style better..
The more recent Sonic films benefit from the CGi capability we have now making live action more in keeping with the feel of the game. That wasn't an option in the early 90s
Damnit.
You just made me want to watch it now!
Followed by Street Fighter.
Then maybe Prince of Persia...
John Leguizamo hooked up with Samantha mathis during the production of this movie.
Counter point: Fiona Shaw
Everything you said was true, but all the same, it's fun xD #TrustTheFungus
A Cult classic if there ever was one, I've got this on DVD and i'm gonna watch it before i see the Illumination super Mario movie next week!
The best part of this film was the Roxette track that accompanied it.
Written originally for the film Hocus Pocus (you might already know)
It's a guilty pleasure of mine I have to confess
I've started working OT on Fridays, just so I'm online for when your drop your vids...
don't work too hard!
To be clear. Princess Toadstool IS Princess Peach. her full address is Princess Peach Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom
Great review. I was a Sega Genesis Kid, so i didn't have much attachment to Mario at the time the movie came out. But my parents still took me to see it and i thought it was weird on its own. Even not being that familiar with the game, i could tell alot of things were off. I did like Yoshi though.
Looking back on the film as an adult, i like it more now as a cheesy adaptation. More in line with the mediocre Street Fighter movie, rather than Mortal Kombat (which i genuinely loved).
I'm looking forward to the new Super Mario animated film. I'm positive it will be alot more faithful to the spirit of Mario games.
Yoshi and the bob-omb were stand-out parts for me.
Mario Mario and this is my brother Luigi Mario. 😂😂
I wouldn't say this film is good, but I do enjoy it on a sort of so-bad-it's-good level - I'm a big fan of the games so seeing the bizarre, off-kilter interpretation of the games' main elements provides some unintentional comedy to me. It definitely feels like a game of Chinese Whispers where the first writer played the game and then wrote a script, and then their script was rewritten by somebody else, and then their script was rewritten by somebody else, and so on and so forth, so everything from the games is there but not in the way it should be. It's definitely one of those films where the behind-the-scenes drama is more interesting than the film itself.
In short: I spent money to buy this film on Blu-Ray, but not very much because I bought it second hand from CEX.
same here bro
Nice one Stam. Cheers. I am not going to say anything derogatory about this film. If you love this film, go ahead and enjoy. If you want to watch this film after Stam's review, knock yourself out. If you think this film is good, fine by me. If you want to talk to your friend about this film, fill your boots.
What can you say about a movie in which its two stars admitted being stoned throughout to get through the damn thing?
Fortunately for them, I'm sure Dennis Hopper kept a very active supply....
Gee, so many movie review channels are suddenly reviewing this movie. Wonder what's the occasion? ;)
It’s nuts to think that the writers of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen Pet did a draft of Mario script that became a cyberpunk movie!
I don’t hate this film. But it’s main problem is that it’s a bit dull. Only the set design and my love of Bob Hoskins has gotten me thru it
It may have been quite bad but Bob Hoskins tried his guts out, like in all his films.
He said that Super Mario Bros. was the worst job he ever did, was his biggest disappointment, and that he would not do the movie if he could travel back in time and change one thing in his past.
The production design of this movie was actually pretty cool and impressive, just completely wrong for the subject. It's an example of how you really can't save something fundamentally misconceived by going to extreme effort.
Kind weird how the reptiles live in this nightmarish hellhole with cars that didn't run on their own power. Yet on the other hand, they possessed the technology to devolve and evolve living beings instantaneously.
@@ricardocantoral7672 hey, when you have a dumb leader who wants control over sustainability, what do you get?
Even when I first saw this as a kid, I thought it was garbage.
The problem with this film it was made 30 year too soon.
I genuinely saw it's terrible but in 23 it would be more relevant!!!
Must have been Xmas 1995 or so when this was on TV. I enjoyed it at the time but I knew nothing at all about Super Mario or Nintendo games in general.
you watched it so i don't have to
plz sliders
Yeah, that movie was stink-O. Time I will never get back lol. And there were human beings who actually liked it 🤷♂️
Was mesmerized by this movie as a child
This has always struck me as a movie made by people who were totally up their own asses and didn't even consider what audiences might actually want from a movie about a cute, family-friendly video game. It would be like turning Sonic the Hedgehog into a serious adult drama. You can do it, but no one is going to like it.
The directors wer also alot to blame for how it turned out the way it did. Absolute boneheads
never liked video game movies. the general idea seems silly.
still, great production design on this one and the chemistry between Hoskins and Leguizamo is nice.
Oh dear god not this movie 🎥
What the hell?! I literally watched this movie like two days ago!
How is it you have time for this kind of barrel-scraping, when you haven't yet reviewed "Supertrain", the most expensive flop in television history?
you were far too kind to this "film"
even as a kid i think this film was bad
I thought this film did a good job of adapting the nonsense of the game into a live action story. I mean how else could they make all that craziness seem ''real''?
Nah, this movie's great. Anyone who says otherwise is just parroting the fucking Nostalgia Critic.
30 years ago they made the worst video of all time!
Let's hope they redeem themselves with the new one!
This was one of the worst films ive ever seen, no doubt
A cheerful colourful videogame turned into an ugly malicious film. And in 2023 we have a colourful animation vs a meta shit show.
Only thing " good " in this movie is the Matte Paintings. Still not worth watching.