Super Mario Bros: The Motion Picture [Blu-ray]

NOTE: This review was originally posted on the Super Mario Bros. Movie Archive website (http://www.smbmovie.com). I'm reposting it here for anyone checking out the Blu-Ray on Amazon!--Video Quality--Some of the other reviews I've read online focus quite a bit on what the reviewer thinks about Super Mario Bros. as a film, without really touching on the technical aspects of the Blu-Ray. This review isn't going to have any of that. I'll go deep into all the technical aspects of the release and all of the special features.So, how does the video quality match up against previous releases? The difference is quite a dramatic one. This website has a long track record of bashing the original 2003 Disney DVD release because of its strange non-anamorphic, full frame widescreen presentation. Second Sight did a new anamorphic transfer for this Blu-Ray release, and it looks fantastic. The film looks vivid and sharp. The added detail of the high-resolution transfer finally allows us to see details and easter eggs that we've never seen before. I don't think I'll be the last person freeze-framing through this thing--literally each scene has something new to discover. Check out the SMB Archive's DVD to Blu-Ray comparison video for a closer look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLa3G2bULwoPrint damage artifacts (abundant in the DVD) are a lot less common. Black levels seem deep and pure, which is a huge help since many scenes in the film take place on the neon-centric Dinohattan streets or in the dark corridors of Koopa's Tower. Upon closer comparison to the original DVD, it also looks like the Blu-Ray offers a marked difference in the color grading. Many scenes on the original DVD had some over-saturated pinks and blues that seemed to be overlaid on the scenes. On the Blu-Ray, the colors seem more standardized and pure, but still pop from the screen when appropriate. In almost every way possible, it's a completely different looking film than we've grown accustomed to over the years, and that's a very good thing. And in case you're wondering, the way the film is presented on this Blu-Ray (corrected colors and all) is what we've experienced during our theatrical screening events, which darn near reassures me that this is exactly the way the film was intended to be seen.--Audio Quality--If you thought that the video quality would be the only major selling point for this release, think again. Second Sight pulled out all the stops and licensed 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio for this release. When Steven and I watched the film on the big screen for the first time during our initial 19th anniversary screening, the audio quality blew us away, even more than the video. Personally, when I was watching the old VHS or DVD releases, I could imagine what kind of quality jump that an HD video transfer could provide. But with audio, I had no idea what I was missing out on. During the theatrical screening, there was all sorts of added flair that greatly enhanced the experience.The Stereo PCM mix sounds much better compared to the DVD. The sound does has more depth to it though, with clear dialogue and balanced score and sound effects. The 5.1 DTS-HD sound mix is also a step-up. It's not as crisp as some newer films and doesn't utilize all of the channels as well as I'd hoped, but again, it's better than what we got on the old DVD and the Stereo PCM mix.--Special Features--The experience doesn't just stop with the film itself, either. This release also includes an extensive amount of special features, some of which (I know) will be the main reason some fans will pick this up. Included on the disc is the 60-minute "This Ain't No Video Game" Documentary, the original "Making Of" featurette, the original trailer, the original electronic press kit, and a series of behind-the-scenes and storyboard galleries.Obviously the biggest and most hyped special feature is the "This Ain't No Video Game" documentary. It features quite an extensive list of people with whom new interviews were recorded: Co-directors Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel, Producer Roland Joffé, Actors John Leguizamo and Richard Edson, Writer Parker Bennett, Production Designer David L. Snyder, Art Director Walter P. Martishius, FX Artists Paul Elliot, Vincent Guastini and Rob Burman, Visual FX Designer Chris Woods, Editor Mark Goldblatt and Creature Designer Patrick Tatopoulos. The documentary also features Archival interviews with Bob Hoskins and Jake Eberts. Overall, the documentary provides an excellent view into the production, reception, and legacy of the film. Since 20 years have passed, many of the people interviewed are able to speak openly and thoroughly about their experience. You'll also hear commentary on what they think of Super Mario Bros. now and how popular opinion has shifted to provide the film its cult classic status. And, the documentary is featured in 1080p HD quality to boot!The original "Making Of" featurette was produced to promote the film upon its release in 1993. The 18-minute featurette contains archival interviews with many cast and crew members, and has lots of footage from the filming. Of course, compared to the new documentary, the feature has a more positive slant towards the film, since it's meant to be a promotional piece. In case you were wondering, the featurette is very similar to the "Behind the Scenes" feature included with the VHS Screener. This is the full, complete version and even has some footage from deleted scenes if you know what you're looking for.If you wanted even more behind-the-scenes footage, the original Electronic Press Kit should fit the bill nicely. It's 30 minutes of footage loaded with interview featurettes, soundbites, actual B-Roll footage from filming, movie clips, and a trailer. These EPKs were sent to TV studios for them to utilize while reporting the film. It's an incredible rarity to get the entire thing in its complete form.Finally, the BTS and Storyboard galleries are presented as video slideshows that will take you through a particular scene or aspect of production. Some of the storyboards feature scenes from some of the earlier, more adult-oriented drafts (featuring an Schwarzenneger-esque Koopa). The Walter Martishius set design photos are particularly stunning--they're very moody and interesting to see how he incorporated game characters and motifs into Dinohattan structures. In short, it's nice to be able to pick your favorite aspect of the film's production, sit back, and watch a slideshow of the content.--Final Thoughts--No, there aren't any full deleted scenes (other than the ones contained in the EPK). And yes, it's a Region B release, so if you don't live in the UK it'll be a bit of a hassle to get it working. Overall, Second Sight has really outdone themselves with this release. As fans, we've wanted a high-definition transfer of the film for ages--something we could appreciate and enjoy for years to come. But with this Blu-Ray, we've gotten so much more than that. Not only did we get an excellent version of the film, but we got a ridiculous amount of special features that most big-budget films don't even get nowadays. Without a doubt, it's the definitive Super Mario Bros. experience. If you're a fan, you owe it to yourself to pick this up.For more information about this Blu-Ray or the Super Mario Bros. Film, check out the Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive website at http://www.smbmovie.com!

Very good service , product came very quickly in excellent condition and played well

Great and funny film

Good old school family movie!

One of the most bizarre films I have ever seen. Has nothing to do with Mario whatsoever.The film feels like an extended cut of Mos Eisley Cantina from Star Wars mixed in with the Fifth Element, Blade Runner and Cyberpunk.I can't help but feel it was just a random movie script that they shoved the Mario name onto.So many simple missed opportunities in things as simple as colour choices. Luigi spends the majority of the film running round in a red hoodie and Mario is either in brown or yellow. The fungus is all brown and gooey looking and the famous green pipes are mostly white.Koopa is clearly Bowser and I have no idea why they changed it, they even reference the fact he's a T-rex when Koopa in the games is so obviously a tortoise/turtle.But I can't deny there is a good time to be had with certain segments and the film does have it's charms... Just maybe not as a Mario movie.

Yeah, it doesn't follow the games that great, more an alternate reality retake on them.. but honestly, was a pretty entertaining movie to rewatch as an adult, having forgotten all of it from when I watched it as a kid (and disliked it cause it didn't match the games)You can tell they actually put a fair bit of effort into all the set and effects and blah

amazing film, a must watch for Mario fans, uncanny resemblance.

As you probably read in all of the other reviews, alot of mario and nintendofans think that this film is poor and ridiculous because the charactersin no way resemble theyre 2d counterparts.Why is that a bad thing?, to translate the world from the game exactly into amedium such as cinema would have been impossible, and have required an amountof CGI and hard to implement items (such as hitting boxes with your head)which could have not been integrated (or developed at the time) well intoa movie.In my opinion what the actual movie was like is much better than any thingthey could have done which exactly was true to the mario world.It is much more interesting because you can still see you're favourite charactersand also experience how they would be existing in the real world and dealingwith real problems such as lack of plumbing jobs etc.Now onto the actual plot,Although its a little sillier than some people would like in places itis a really interesting and fun film, the mario and luigi team of "Bob hoskins"and "John Leguiziamo" provide a very good base for the film, as a wholeboth of them play their parts well and create a fun and believeable brother team.Again the best part of this film has to be the fact that you see all of yourfavourite characters brought to life, and in a zany and fun way.Yoshi is a cute CGI/puppet that is basically like a loyal puppy, mario andluigi are a charismatic plumber duo, peach is a gun toting princess,andkoopa is a sleazy businessman trying to subvert and accuire the mushroomkingdom.I sawthis film as a child for many of my younger years and I still enjoyit now, a must see for any mario fan and a muct see for your kids.