Super Mario Bros. (1993)

The critic describes the 1993 film as a noble failure whose flaws were overstated at the time by commentators wary of game adaptations. The accompanying making-of documentary is singled out for providing a comprehensive portrait of the production's descent into disaster.

The critic sees the film as a split endeavor, wildly accomplished visually but wildly deficient in writing and story, resulting in a bright, clamorous extravaganza that knocks the eyes out while dulling the mind. Praises the visual coups, effects, cinematography, production design and maniacal impressiveness; complains about the obvious script, flat wisecracks, thin characters and commercial reassurance over challenge.

The critic praises the inventive production design and Dennis Hopper’s deranged performance as villain King Koopa, but is less forgiving of Mario and Luigi.

The critic calls the film a jaggedly ambitious catastrophe whose production history and bizarre reinterpretation of the source material doomed it, despite impressive production design and visual ideas. He singles out the uncomfortable mix of adult and kiddie imagery plus the directors' failure to capture any gameplay energy or tone.

The critic finds the film a bizarre, effects-heavy sci-fi adventure lacking the game's jaunty spirit but notes it has selling points in its intense, crazy energy from trying hard to flesh out a thin story. Praises the vigorous live-action comic strip and expense put into it; complains about the marketing-driven nonstory and total superfluity.

Praises the set design, photography, effects and giant Goombas but calls the film a dog overall, citing the garbled storyline and mugging performances that will baffle kids, bore adolescents and depress adults.

The critic calls the film wildly overproduced and derivative, 1993's answer to 'Howard the Duck,' with no laughs, tedious narrative and stiff direction that fails to justify its cost. Praises some technical elements like morphing effects, sound and sets along with Fiona Shaw's villainess; complains about the absence of tension, originality, laughs and humanized central roles.

The critic finds the film a vast, cold-blooded creature that is not an agreeable sight, with a monotonous affair that even its dinosaur elements cannot save from commercial extinction. Adults and the unaddicted will find it dull, with pixel-thin characters that are charmless and humour that is fitful.

The critic praises the 1993 film as a bold, weird, madcap piece of commercial filmmaking that offers a refreshingly political take on the source material. They single out its tactile production design, practical effects, and themes of fighting oppression for particular praise.

The critic views the film as a memorable, personality-driven travesty with visually striking production design that stands out among video game adaptations. They single out its unruly, tactile sets and junky integrity for praise while noting its artistic dodginess.

The critic finds the film a garbled mess with a cringe-worthy script and poor adaptation of the source material, though noting some visual spectacle and nostalgic effects from its dystopian world and creature designs.