Displaying items by tag: Luis Guzman

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE

US/France/Japan, 2026, 98 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Donald Glover, Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, Keegan-Michael Key, AnyaTaylor-Joy, Jack Black, Luis Guzman, Issa Rae, Glen Powell.

Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc.

For 40 years the Super Mario Bros and entertained generations all around the world. They are identified with Nintendo and computer and video games. There was a live-action feature in the 1990s, not well received or reviewed, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo.

However, the games and the programs developed, with special appeal to younger players and audiences, and, as the years pass, happy memories of now adults and parents. 2023 saw the first feature length animated version of Super Mario action.

The present film serves as something of a movie icon worldwide with its immediate success on release, breaking records, audiences flocking to see it, millions of dollars.

One might say that the production is hyper-spectacular, the range of animation figures, humans, creatures, spacecraft, castles and builders, action in space.

While the two brothers, plumbers in their overalls, are ordinary characters, Mario forceful, Luigi of less effective, they are presented as ordinary heroes in extraordinary galaxy adventures and rescues. But, there is a strong female presence, especially in Princess Peach, definitely coming to the rescue. The three are voiced by Chris Pratt, Charlie Day and Anya Taylor-Joy. And, for so many of the multi-varied characters, a wonderful array of voices which adult audiences will be enjoying, Glenn Powell, Jack Black, Brie Larson…

And, while there are heroics, there is also the money, and ambitions for not only world power but Galaxy power. Ambitious Bowser at one stage says to his son, in Jack Black’s voice, “I want to stand on the ashes of the world…” (And, at the time of its release in early 2026, Donald Trump was offering similar sentiments about Iran.)

So, excitement for the younger audiences, experiencing it in the cinema, experiencing the big wide screen and heightened sound, an invitation to come to the cinema more often. Extraordinary the way that animation films have developed over recent decades.

But, adults accompanying the children might find that this one is more than enough for them, Super Mario comedy and drama all over the galaxies.

THE DO-OVER

US, 2016, 108 minutes, Colour.

Adam Sandler, David Spade, Paula Patton, Kathryn Hahn, Nick Swardson, Matt Walsh, Renée Taylor, Sean Astin, Natasha Leggerp, Luis Guzman, Michael Chiklis, Torsten Voges. Jackie Sandler.

Directed by Steven Brill.

An Adam Sandler comedy, 20 years after Happy Gilmore. By this stage, Adam Sandler had consolidated his reputation and career in comedy as well as several serious roles for which she was praised, Anger Management, Punch Drunk Love. This was a collaboration with Netflix and from that time his company provided a succession of comedies, some serious dramas (Uncut Gems), the Murder Mystery series…

If this was the first Adam Sandler film that anyone saw, it would be most probable that they would never want to see another. Devotees of this film might find a lot to amuse. However, most audiences would be put off. There is an element of plot here, two men, one ill, the other henpecked, renew the friendship from school days and decide that they will take on the identities of two other characters and live a comfortable life. Basically, they do did this but, unfortunately for them, the characters they assume were involved in all kinds of financial swindles and violence.

One of the difficulties with this film is that the Adam Sandler character is minimally sympathetic – more sympathy for the David Spade character. And, there is quite a crassness about the character development, aspects of behaviour, some gross sexuality, incessant course language and profanities, not necessary and quite offputting.

While there are some moments of Sandler talent, and, eventually, a certain amount of sympathy for his illness, and, of course, quite a twist in the financial and violent drama it is not enough to satisfy an audience, an audience with some good taste and standards.