Super Mario Bros. Movie: A Win for the Illumination Team?

Okay, so I finally saw the Super Mario Bros. Movie. Going in, I was cautiously optimistic. I'm a filmography guy, right? I like seeing what directors bring to different projects, but this… this was Illumination. No specific director listed, which makes you wonder about the overall vision, y'know? That said, considering their track record, it could've been much worse. The plot is... well, it's Mario. Pretty basic, but the visuals were genuinely impressive. The Mushroom Kingdom looked vibrant, and Bowser was actually a pretty compelling villain – Jack Black really nailed it. However, I felt the pacing was a little rushed. They crammed so much in, it felt like they were ticking off boxes of fan service rather than letting the story breathe. Loved the references, don't get me wrong, but I wish they had committed a little more to develop the relationship between Mario and Luigi. That 'fitting in' scene felt kinda forced, IMO. My biggest question is about the ending. That post-credit scene hinting at Yoshi's arrival is exciting, but does that mean we can expect a sequel, and will they be able to give more depth to the characters and story? Will they trust a director to come in and take the reigns or leave it to the production team again? Because I feel like it has potential but it definitely needs someone with a clear directorial vision to elevate the material. Maybe I'm being too critical, especially since it's a kids' movie at its core, but I'm curious what other director-focused viewers thought—was it a fun, lighthearted adventure, or should they have aimed for something more substantial?