It tries to offer a lot, but pushes the plot aside
Super Mario Galaxy is a film produced and distributed directly by Nintendo. Its target audience is primarily kids and veteran players of the eponymous video game franchise. I am reviewing a product with which I don't have extensive experience, as I don't know every single detail of the various Super Mario games. Consequently, my analysis will focus on other aspects.
The film opens with a series of adventures featuring Mario, the cowardly Luigi, Yoshi, and Peach, united in their attempt to save the cosmos from the constant threat of the Koopas. This time around, the villains are aiming for absolute domination, while still indulging in their favorite hobby: kidnapping a princess.
The animation and the soundtrack are of the highest quality. The movie features numerous action scenes designed to entertain younger viewers, and the overall audio design is truly excellent.
A key feature is the presence of countless easter eggs: from the original Super Mario Bros., through the most successful classic series, all the way to references to the previous film. However, it seems to ignore more recent titles like Super Mario Legacy, or spin-offs such as Mario Kart, Super Mario RPG, and Paper Mario.
Super Mario Galaxy doesn't have grand narrative ambitions; however, the plot deserved more depth. For instance, exploring the characters' family relationships could have been very interesting and central to saving the universe, potentially drawing in an even broader audience.
The film is enjoyable nonetheless, but in my opinion, it is only suited for those who are already immersed in this fantasy world and fully understand its mechanics.