Product: Super Mario Bros. [VHS] (1993)
Rating: 4.0
Brooklyn Boys Rule
Like Brooklyn guido-hero Tony Manero of Fever, Mario & Luigi give you something to cheer for in this goofy but fun movie. When I first saw this flick in 1993, I was a little dissapointed considering I was 11 and was sitting there constantly looking for video game comparisons (like why doesn't Luigi have a mustache and why is Koopa a human) instead of enjoying the movie for what it was: a good time. Now, ten years later I relived this film for the second time and now I love it! Let me tell you why. First of all, Hoskins ("Eddie Valiant" in Roger Rabbit) and Leguizamo ("Benny Blanco from the Bronx" in Carlito's Way) are absolutely perfect casting choices. Lou Albano and the other guy that played Mario and Luigi in the old live action TV show were good too but Hoskins and Leguizamo are far better. The special effects were cutting edge for ten years ago and I'm surprised it didn't do too well at the box office. The dinosaur characters were probably so apparant due to the Jurassic Park craze of the 90's and a lot of the dino creatures in Mario Bros look like they could have been in a Jurassic sequel. But nevertheless, the film was funny, easy to watch and enjoyable for a Wednesday night. The early scene when the bros and Daisy and Daniella (hotties!) are in the Brooklyn Italian restaurant chowing down on spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread would make any goomba hungry. Great scenes include the waterslide-like pipe ride (which looks like a ball!) and the disco dance scene. Koopa's castle is an eerie Twin Towers recreation that is more appreciated now than when the film came out. It's the World Trade buildings with half of one tower demolished. I hope the DVD version offers a lot of extras.