Before I start, let me say, by now, I don't even bother with this blog for many reasons, having to deal with life and projects for one. Sure, there's twitter, but at times a blog might suffice but that's up to me to continue using the blog. And no, I'm not opting to shut it down, keeping it rather, archiving reasons.
Anyway, another day in fall (sort of with winter having a bit of a head start this week), and another big teaser for a Mario movie, this time the long awaited sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie from Illumination that's pretty good, flaws notwithstanding but I'll get to that later. Luckily, I was already up and at 'em by the time I saw the trailer, of which was being broadcast while I slept. And what better way to beat the blues about battles in Ukraine and Gaza, bloated random twitter drama nonsense, and big tensions surrounding Venezuela than by talking about something likely to be based IMO?
So the trailer starts off with Miyamoto-san and Meledandri-san doing their introductions just like before, not much to say. Then we cut to what looks like Bowser's castle, that's seems to be new but very similar to the one in the previous film, where the former turtle-dragon himself is not only seemingly back to size but up to his old tricks. Only that he's doing painting, quite productive actually (I actually get Mario Paint vibes from looking at this) and that he's still shrunk and locked up in the cage just like he was at the end of the film, with the lead plumbers coming in to check up on him obviously. No points for the whole...logistic part that comes in for life reasons regarding the mini castle, especially the toiletry but I digress. What I will say though is that some of his work are quite on par with those that do edgy material and of course, shippers, as it is, namely the skeleton Mario (from Odyssey) and the iconic rendition of him as a "chad" with Peach in spite of what happened in the first film, respectively. Naturally, Mario isn't fond of the latter painting, calling it "trash" in spite of being actually objectively good, and better than AI in general. Oh and he has a high pitched voice that doesn't seem to be 100% set in judging by how he naturally gets upset by Mario's comment, again, in spite of what he did in the first film, only that his voice seems to be returning to normal before he stops comedically; no points as to what it may foreshadow.
Then we see stars fly across the Kingdom up close, just like in Galaxy 1, with Mario and Peach looking on and then Peach jumping into the warp stars from said game along with Toad for the ride. Then we cut to Mario and Luigi in desert gear riding across the Tostarena Desert (I think) with motorbikes, as if they too have their own inevitable quest. Then we see Peach go fight off a horde of Ninjis with her parasol in presumably an environment akin to either Galaxy or the 3D Land or World games, though the setup might hint at the former. Of course, Peach still does her martial arts moves in fighting them off, as it is. Then we cut to the first new antagonist, none other than Bowser Jr.! Coming in as his self from Sunshine! Complete with the special paint brush, ascot, and magic paint! And his first act is to go and try to rescue his dad from the cage; although granted I and maybe others have saw that coming. But it does make me wonder where would the Koopalings factor in? Man, just thinking about it makes me even more curious but I digress. What I can say though, is that the voice actor doesn't do a bad job of sounding a lot like Jack Black, albeit in an electronic voice, at first at least.
Then someone comes out of a big set of doors, and here we get our official first look at Rosalina herself, in her pretty teal dressed glory! Before going on, for simplicity's sake, I will refer to Rosalina as just "Rose" considering that in other parts of the world, she goes by different variations like Rosetta and Rosalinda and other names like Harmonie and Estella; typical Nintendo localization practices, but at least they're mostly close among other things but that's another story for another time. Back on topic, we see Rosa notice and then take on the three legged robot thingy from Galaxy 1, who seems to be hell bent on capturing her. Could the robot be related to Bowser Jr.'s schemes? Or maybe Kamek might be involved? or maybe some other character like Tatanga who might reduced to a minor but still noteworthy role on par with Spike in the first film? One only knows. But what we do know is that, like Peach, she kicks ass, but with her wand and stars; and after taking on said robot, she does it with style, complete with the ever so cliche yet still enjoyable explosion right behind her without her ever getting effected. Classy, and I mean it in a good way. And what's also in a good way is that we cut to a room where she and her star fellas are having a bedtime story of sorts, possibly going to recap the events of the first film, of which would, could, and should be obviously the possible intro segment of the upcoming sequel. The star kids are more interested in the plumber aspect and it's pretty cute the way they act in spite of them not having the same warped yet entertainingly nihilistic outlook the one from the first film had.
But what's not so cute is that after the scene, during a brief segment by the lead producers introducing the VAs, Rose will be voiced Brie Larson, which is a very odd choice considering that she was pretty dull in Captain Marvel, of which I regard it as a pretty mediocre film in general in spite of having some decent moments but that's another story. Not exactly prime material for someone like Rose to be voiced by but who knows? Maybe she'll make up for said dullness in the past. Your guess is as good as mine as to why that is, and I can care less about the whole inevitable culture war "discourse" surrounding her, especially if it might involve schmucks like the Quartering but I digress. As for the introduction of the newcomer, Benny Safdie, done by Jack Black coming in, I'm quite surprised as he's basically a literal who to me as of this writing. Though with his segment as Bowser Jr. talking about how he's taking up the mantle of a conqueror in wake of his dad's defeat in some kind of cockpit (the after mentioned robot I guess?), I'm quite underwhelmed in how he sounds a lot older than someone who would be like about 10 to 12 should sound, even though it sounds similar to Black's in some way. Maybe it makes sense in context like he's a young teen and is having a growth spurt that effects his voice? One only knows but already I'm getting flashbacks to how not so great Mario sounded in the first film's teaser trailer. But then again, Chris Pratt's performance already surprised us for the better, so who's to say Safdie can't do the same? Time will tell I guess.
Also, yes, Black-san, Galaxy 1 is undoubtedly one of the best games ever made, especially in the series. And so the trailer ends with Miyamoto telling us about staying tuned for whatever updates might come and telling us to wait for the upcoming film, of which I sure as hell can't. But what I can is share a few more thoughts and concerns I have for said film.
I've already stated my reservations for the aforementioned VAs, but I must stress about how I think it should be vital for the sequel to at least improve upon what the first film did. Like I said before and elsewhere, it's pretty great but the story needs some tuning up, akin to like how Commando (1985) did in having plenty of spectacular action segments but plenty of character. I mean, the first film did have a workable structure to work on, though stuff like 2001's Tomb Raider the first film showed you can do worse, and even that was enjoyable to an extent but that's another story. What's not is that in regards to character, we need the time to get to know them, as already recognizable as they obviously are, even if it might make the run time longer than 90 minutes approximately, which in the eyes of some suits, might be make the film not suited for kids, but so what? The original cut of the first film presumably had the time expand said characters but we all know they didn't make it for the sake of "attention spans". Again, so what? It's this kind of attitude that's having a bad influence on society, especially the dreaded Tiktoks, but that's another story. Still, if Commando, a film that I bring up because it precisely did the character aspect better than the first Mario film did, can do it, so can the second Mario film. As for the story, well, presumably not much to say other than again, take the time to know our characters. But, what is in regard to the story is where I need to address my concerns regarding that one plot point showed off at the very end of the first film.
WHERE THE HELL IS YOSHI!? Like, seriously, one would think by now, the little green wonder would show up in the teaser to something that straight up pointed to that right in the post-credits sequence?! Man, talk about disappointing, all that build up for over two years and jack shit? I shake my head at this but then again, Miyamoto-san did say something about updates before so there's always a possibility of Yoshi showing up, like he should. Hell, we better see him talk like he did in the cartoon show by DiC, and of course, any character, be it he, Luigi, or anyone, say the iconic line, "Mama Luigi". The fun's not complete without that, regardless of how one may think about said line. And on that note of characters, there's a vast array of them that can use some reps, especially as the second film is basing off Galaxy 1 and Sunshine, maybe the Pinatas might show up for all we know. Or maybe that one fake looking one that challenges you to a race in said latter game? Who knows? Who the hell knows? But on a positive note, it's part of the fun, as again, we have yet to see more updates short of spoilers until the film comes out.
Anyway, those were my thoughts on the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie. I can safely say I'm more or less as psyched for it just as I was with the first one in spite of said concerns but one thing is for sure, as stunningly brave as it is for me to say, it might deliver just as the first film did.
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