I'm old enough to remember that excuse of a Super Mario movie in the mid 90s. So when I saw trailers for an animated Super Mario movie, I rejoiced. And after watching it, I was delighted to this homage to my childhood. Just don't expect Oscar-worthy performance.
After conquering the Ice Kingdom (?) to steal the Super Star, Bowser and his army set their eyes on the Mushroom Kingdom. Meanwhile in Brooklyn, Mario and Luigi desperately try to kickstart they plumbing business. But while they are trying to help repair a giant leak, they are transported to a strange world... the Mushroom Kingdom.
If you don't know much about the Mario "verse", you will be at a loss and bored. But if you grew up with the plumber like me, then you will always be looking for references to the games you played during your youth. And there are tons, from music (the original theme, underground theme on the piano, invincibility) to characters (the Kong family, Shy Guys, skeleton turtles that reconstitute) and even places like the Rainbow Road.
It's also kind of meta, with Mario being told he "never quits", powerups all over and Luigi being the loser, with Mario saving the day even when they were kids (cue for their looks in Yoshi's Island). But, of course, "they're stronger when they are together."
In short, any Mario fan needs to watch this movie. And the more games you played, the more references you'll get and scream about them in the theater. Hopefully, any sequels will at least be as good (like Yoshi's birth or Peach's origin story)
Final rating for fans: 4.2/5
For average movie goers: 2.8/5