The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Movie Review)

The Super Mario Bros. are back for another round of spot the reference. Except this time around, they'll be journeying well beyond the shores of the Mushroom Kingdom, to galaxies far away. Because for some reason, the folks at Illumination have opted to skip right past the prehistoric trappings of Super Mario World and warp-pipe their way right down to the floaty planets of Super Mario Galaxy. So does that leap forward create an opportunity for something fresh, or is this just more of the same? 

The film picks up right after the events of the previous one, with its titular pair of Brooklyn plumbers now regulars in the Mushroom Kingdom. They are quickly introduced to Yoshi, the green dinosaur who was teased at the end of the last film. And it doesn't take long before they are all swept up in a new grand adventure, as the Mushroom Kingdom is invaded by Bowser Jnr., who seeks to set his father free so they can conquer and rule over the galaxy together.

Heading into The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, I knew the film was likely to adhere to the same Easter Egg-laden formula introduced in the first movie. After all, that film had gone on to gross over $1.3 billion in 2023, and it was widely praised among fans for its faithful adaptation of those early Super Mario games. So my only real hope for its sequel was that it would offer some subtle refinements to that formula by delving even deeper into the lore that made those games so special.

But as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Because that seems to be the very mantra with which Nintendo and Illumination have approached The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Put plainly, if you weren't a fan of the first film's breakneck pacing and paper-thin characterization, then chances are you wouldn't be here either. Except in their bid to go even bigger for the sequel, the issues that plagued the previous movie have become that much more pronounced and magnified. 

There's no easy way to say this, but the movie felt overstuffed and inconsequential at the same time. There was so much crammed within its one hour and thirty-eight minutes runtime, with multiple storylines that didn't get anywhere near enough care or attention. The same thing can be said about the characters, with so many of them being juggled between those competing storylines and barely any character development to speak of. There was also an overreliance on plot contrivances, which completely took me out of the movie on multiple occasions. 

Yes, I understand the argument that these movies are geared towards kids and, therefore, there is a much lower bar of quality that they need to clear in order to be deemed acceptable. But why settle for acceptable when the potential for greatness is right there in front of you? And it is that lack of greatness that left me feeling mixed about the movie and somewhat disappointed. The film felt downright unfinished at times, with a jumbled-up narrative that barely bothers to properly delineate between flashbacks and present-day plot lines. I mean, even the kids deserve better than that. 

On a positive note, the animation powering the film is as vibrant and beautiful as ever, with Illumination sparing no expense in bringing the various worlds and their denizens to life. The same could be said about the score, which once again did a great job of incorporating the familiar tunes and notes from the games. I also found myself chuckling a couple of times at the various jokes and visual gags throughout the movie. But none of those things were enough to elevate the film beyond the realm of just passable. 

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an overstuffed excursion that lacks the novelty of seeing the familiar worlds of the Super Mario games brought to life on the big screen for the first time. Even more than the first film, it tries to function as a celebration of the 40 years' worth of video games that have endeared countless gamers to characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and others. But it ultimately falls short of its true potential due to its adherence to a formula that already feels worn by movie number two, which can only make one wonder what the future holds for the beloved video game franchise.

Project Hail Mary (Movie Review)

From the moment I first caught wind of Project Hail Mary, I could tell it had the potential to be something truly special. Not only was it based on a book by Andy Weir of The Martian fame, but it was also being helmed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with Ryan Gosling in the lead role, serving as the cherry on top. I mean, all the necessary ingredients for a rollicking space adventure were certainly there. But do those ingredients come together to create a fine dining experience, or is the resultant meal too spicy or even tasteless?

The movie centers upon a scientist named Grace, who awakens from an induced coma to discover he was in the middle of a deep-space mission. With little to no recollection of how he got there, and the rest of his three-man crew already dead, he begins to piece together, with the help of their onboard AI assistant, the nature of their mission, which involved traveling to another solar system with hopes of learning how to stop the Earth's sun from rapidly dimming. But things take an unexpected turn when he runs into another spaceship, and its unusual occupant.

As anyone who knows me could attest, I have a deep-rooted affinity for science fiction movies like Interstellar and Gravity. And coming out of Project Hail Mary, those are the very two that came to mind. This is not to say that I found the movie derivative, but rather, to merely acknowledge that I recognize the strands of inspiration with which it is crafting its own tale. But what really sets this one apart from those other movies is its humor and characterization.

Much like The Martian before it, Project Hail Mary features a lot of Andy Weir's familiar wit, which has been translated onto the big screen by screenwriter Drew Goddard. I broke from tradition and opted not to read the book the film is based upon before going in to see it, mainly because I wanted to be able to judge it as its own thing. And I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie despite my lack of familiarity with the source material, and I imagine others would too.

Ryan Gosling is no stranger to movies about space travel, after his stoic turn as real-life astronaut, Neil Armstrong, in First Man. Except here, he gets to channel his more comedic side. But the true star of the show, in my opinion, was Rocky, the alien with whom he shares most of his screentime. Some people might consider this a spoiler, but to that I say take it up with the studio, or whoever cuts their trailers, because the entire film was sold on the back of the growing camaraderie between the two. 

Their bromance was the emotional core that kept the film going, and I quickly forgot one of them was not in fact human as I laughed at the various gags poking fun at the alien's larger-than-life personality and how it both complemented and clashed with that of Grace. It helps that Rocky was brought to life with a mixture of practical and digital effects, and that he always felt grounded with the other props on the various sets and shooting spaces.

Speaking of visual effects, the visuals in Project Hail Mary were uniformly stunning from start to finish. I caught myself gaping at several shots throughout the movie, as the cinematography really helped sell the sense of scale and vastness of space. Equally deserving of praise is the excellent sound mixing. This is the kind of thing I don't typically pay attention to during a movie, but when it is this good, then it demands all the attention it deserves. 

Then there's the score by Daniel Pemberton, which builds with the tension and slowly dissipates when needed, creating this ebb and flow that helped guide and propel the narrative, much like the titular spaceship, the Hail Mary, as it navigated the further reaches of space. There were also several needle drop moments during the film, so fans of classic rock and pop shouldn't be surprised to find themselves bopping along with those tunes.

About the only remotely negative thing I can think to say about Project Hail Mary is that the story left me wanting more. Some details felt glossed over, like how the two other crew members of the Hail Mary died. Or perhaps that was addressed, and I was simply too distracted by the gags and gorgeous visuals to notice. Either way, this has only further spiked my interest in reading the source material, where I'll hopefully be able to get some of those answers, and more Rocky hijinks.

Project Hail Mary is like a well-fueled rocket ship, firing on all cylinders. Its narrative can be both heartwarming and gut-wrenching, and the fact that it is able to deftly swing between those two extremes without missing a beat is why it is one of my favorite movies of 2026 thus far. And while the year is still young with many more potentially great movies to come, something tells me this one will stand the test of time and serve as one of the finer cinematic offerings on this year's menu.

The current state of Video Game Adaptations

Video game adaptations have continued to experience a bit of a redemption arc in recent years. Whether we are talking about crowdpleasers like Minecraft and Super Mario Bros., or more divisive fare like The Last of Us Season 2. This is not to say that we are beyond getting the outright stinkers, because it certainly feels like for every Sonic the Hedgehog 3, there is a Return to Silent Hill just lurking around the corner. 

One thing is for sure, though; we are well past the days of those endless Resident Evil sequels and directors like Paul W. S. Anderson and Uwe Boll being the only prominent filmmakers bearing the torch for video game adaptations. Now, there is a healthy variety of talent and voices working to bring video games to the big and small screen, with the video game companies themselves appearing to have a vested interest in seeing those films and TV shows succeed.

Because even the seemingly bad-looking video game movies still manage to find that redemption by leaning into the inherent campiness of their source materials. Case in point, we have new films in the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat series coming out this year, and they both look gloriously cheesy in the best way possible. I mean, just look at the Street Fighter teaser dropped during The Game Awards and tell me how that doesn't make you cringe and hyped at the same time.

So the question then is, are we currently witnessing a video game movie renaissance, or is this simply the next Hollywood gold rush as superhero movie fatigue sets in and studios scramble to look for the next big thing? 

To even begin answering that question, we must first understand why it has taken this long for video game movies to - quote, unquote - git gud, because it's not as though the potential for greatness hadn't been there ever since Super Mario Bros. opened the floodgates in 1993. But for most of the mid-to-late 90s, it didn't get any better than the schlocky thrills offered by the likes of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.

And we could definitely place some of the blame on their source materials, because for the most part, the video games of that era had barebones stories that didn't exactly lend themselves to translation into film.

But as the technology powering those games improved, so also did their abilities to tell more compelling stories that made use of voice acting, CD-quality music, and even pre-rendered Full Motion Videos. Early examples of such games include Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, and Final Fantasy 7, so it shouldn't really come as a surprise that these were some of the first to be adapted into movies at the turn of the century.

And while some of these early adaptations would find some measure of box office success, they would ultimately pale in comparison to the numbers generated by comic book movies like Spider-Man, or the cultural relevance of book-to-film adaptations like the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. But most importantly, they just weren't that great, even though I would always have a soft spot for the films of that era.

That lack of perceived quality would spawn what would come to be known as the video game movie curse, the belief that all films adapted from video games could only ever be mediocre at best. This was mainly due to the inherent differences between video games and movies, because the former was primarily an interactive medium that focused on gameplay and player input, while the latter was plot and character-driven. 

And for the longest time, that was the status quo, even as the video games themselves drew more and more inspiration from movies and filmmaking techniques. I am talking about games like Uncharted 2, with elaborate, drawn-out action setpieces designed to be cinematic. Or narrative-driven titles like The Last of Us, which were renowned for the quality of their characterizations and overall storytelling.

Which brings us to where we are today. We recently had our very first video game movie to gross over a billion dollars, with a sequel set to launch in a few weeks, as well as hit TV shows like Fallout and the award-winning adaptation of the aforementioned The Last of Us. Things would appear to be looking bright and robust for the future of video game adaptations, especially judging by the current push by studios like Netflix and Amazon MGM to pump as many of them out as possible.

But therein lies my hesitation to call the current boom a true renaissance, because of that very push and the room for half-baked projects that it creates. And the only way studios can really avoid falling back to the lackluster scripts of old is by pairing each adaptation with the right talent and giving those teams the time, budget, and creative freedom they need to succeed. It remains to be seen if this is the way things would go or if it any of it would be sustainable in the long run.

Either way, 2026 is definitely going to be a make-or-break year for video game adaptations. Or at the very least, it should give us a clearer picture of whether this is indeed the next big thing or just a side attraction for studios to dabble in occasionally, as they attempt to exploit their built-in fanbases and cultural relevance. Because, as the saying goes, recognizable IP is king, and studios would always favor proven franchises over original works.

And who can blame them when we, as an audience, consistently favor those franchises too? Because, despite our claims to the contrary, we hardly ever give original works a chance, and would consistently gravitate towards the comfort and familiarity of established properties and their key-jangling antics. This is why it is always important to vote with your wallets, because studio execs only really care about their bottom line, not what fans are crying about on Facebook or Twitter.

I'll definitely be checking out most, if not all, the video game movies slated for release this year. And the one I am most excited for is Zach Cregger's take on Resident Evil. Yes, even more so than the live-action Legend of Zelda film. The fact that I even get to pick between those two shows why it is a good time to be a gamer and a cinephile. So if you enjoy watching video game movies and you see one that looks like it might be worth your while, then consider giving it a fair shake.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Movie Review)

Like an infected Alpha barreling through the woods, the 28 Days Later franchise is back again with its next installment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Except Danny Boyle is once again stepping away from director duties, and ceding the chair to Nia DaCosta. And as you can imagine, I was immediately skeptical that the Candyman and The Marvels helmer would be able to maintain the thrills and breathtaking visuals that helped define the previous film. So does the new movie represent a seamless passing of the torch, or is it merely a cheap imitation of what came before?

The film picks up right where the last one left off, with Spike (Alfie Williams) being taken into the fold by Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) and his gang. But it is actually Ralph Fiennes' Dr. Ian Kelson who gets top billing this time around, and we spend much of the film watching him act as curator and groundskeeper for the titular Bone Temple. After a string of repeated encounters with Samson, the leader of a herd of infected in the nearby woods, the two begin to form an unlikely bond that could very well redefine his understanding of the Rage Virus and those afflicted by it.

In this age of long-gestating sequels, it is not often that we get a turnaround time of less than a year, which is essentially what we've gotten with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The decision to film the first two movies in the planned trilogy back-to-back has certainly paid off, especially considering how the last film ended with a cliffhanger and left some dangling plot threads in the process. So I was glad to see this one hit the ground running as it attempted to tie it all together, even down to providing some much-needed connections to the first film, 28 Days Later. 

To put it in another way, this is the most we have learnt about the nature of the Rage Virus since that film, and why those infected by it turn into raving murder machines. But since this is a spoiler-free review, I won't be saying anything more about what that nature looks like. I'll instead be spending the rest of this review eating crow I guess, for ever doubting that Nia DaCosta could deliver a worthy follow-up to 28 Years Later. Because her movie matches the same kinetic energy as that Danny Boyle-directed entry, though some could argue that has more to do with Alex Garland staying on as screenwriter than anything else.

Whatever the case, this is as valiant an effort as I could have hoped for, with the film even exceeding my expectations in certain areas. For instance, licensed music plays a much bigger role in this movie than in the last, and there were several needle-drop moments that had me grinning like a fiend. One in particular had me outright laughing out loud, and that's another thing I didn't expect from the movie, for it to be so funny and over-the-top in the best way possible. 

This is not to say that it was all smiles and giggles, as it is also worth noting that the film is as gory as it gets. Some of it was borderline hard to stomach and watch, especially one extended torture sequence that just felt too mean-spirited for my tastes. But gorehounds will definitely get their fill and then some, even though the film as a whole didn't have anywhere near as much action or gory kills as its predecessors.

Then I have to give props to both Ralph Fiennes and Chi Lewis-Parry, who plays Samson. Both actors gave outstanding performances that helped sell their implausible friendship, and watching them act stoned out of their minds was yet another highlight of the movie I didn't see coming. I don't know if there's any chance for any kind of award consideration this far removed from the next awards cycle, but at the very least, they are sure to go down as one of the most heartfelt and memorable on-screen pairings of the year.

As far as glaring issues and problems, the biggest gripes I had with the movie have to do with some questionable and contrived sequences, like how the infected would conveniently go MIA for long stretches of the film, or instances when they should've otherwise gathered to investigate a very loud noise. We also don't see or learn more about the other variants of infected introduced in the last film, despite Danny Boyle himself suggesting we would during interviews. But I suppose we'll simply have to wait for the next sequel to see if he eventually makes good on that promise.

2026 is off to a great start because 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is tense, visceral, and even bloodier than the other films in the series. I guess I can finally say there's a Nia DaCosta film that I actually really enjoyed. I'll definitely be paying closer attention to whatever she does next as I wash the sour aftertaste of The Marvels out of my memory. The biggest accomplishment of her latest film, though, is how it has me excited for the third film in the current trilogy, and the future of the 28 Days Later franchise as a whole.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2026

If you're reading this, congrats and Happy New Year. We've made it to the start of a new chapter, brimming with hope and endless possibilities. This is usually when we set new goals and resolutions for ourselves, but I gave up on that practice ages ago. I've found that I work best when I simply take each new day as it comes and strive to push myself to do better whenever possible, but to each their own, I guess.

One practice I don't see myself giving up anytime soon, though, is filling out my moviegoing calendar for the year. A key component of this is coming up with my list of most anticipated movies. This does not mean these are the only movies I plan on seeing this year, just the ones I am most excited to see, given my proclivities. So with all that out of the way, what follows are my Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies for 2026.
 

10. Street Fighter

The importance of a solid first trailer cannot be overstated, and the one for Street Fighter knocked it out of the park, instantly selling me on its vision. The 1994 live-action adaptation of the hit fighting game was one of my childhood faves, and this new one appears poised to channel a lot of its campy thrills. So my feelings for it have settled somewhere between morbid curiosity and cautious optimism.

9. Spider-Man: Brand New Day

I almost considered leaving Spider-Man: Brand New Day off this list. This is primarily because we've already gotten three great Spider-Man movies in the MCU, the last of which had been tied to previous film iterations so beautifully that I simply can't see how it could be topped or where they could take the series next. But who am I kidding? I'm obviously going to check this out the moment it drops, which is why it is on the list.

8. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Another day-one, must-see film for me this year is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. And while it is strange they've chosen to skip World (my favorite game in the series) and go straight to Galaxy, I had so much fun with The Super Mario Bros. Movie that I am hoping this one not only matches that film, but possibly exceeds it. The first teaser trailers certainly seem to point to that being the case, but only time will tell.

7. Mortal Kombat 2

After enduring a soul-crushing delay, fans will finally get to watch Mortal Kombat 2 in all its gory splendor when it releases on the 8th of May. And the biggest draw for the film is the inclusion of Johnny Cage (played by Karl Urban), who was teased at the very end of the first movie. Much like Street Fighter, I am cautiously optimistic and expecting the film to fully lean into the camp, even as it further expands its overall mythology.

6. Disclosure Day

Steven Spielberg is set to make his return to science fiction with the forthcoming release of Disclosure Day. There'd been some rumblings about the project for some time now, but none of that was still enough to prepare me for the chilling effectiveness of its first trailer. I'm a sucker for films that deal with humanity's first contact with aliens, and when it comes from one of the great directors of our time, you can bet I'll be there.

5. Michael

Michael is arguably going to be one of the biggest movies of 2026. I make that declaration based solely on its subject matter, as the musical biopic centers upon the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. The movie's overall success hinges on whether or not the film itself is good, of course, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited by the prospect of hearing some of his vast catalogue of music brought to life in a theater.

4. Avengers: Doomsday

The first half of what has already been dubbed Dunesday by many fans, Avengers: Doomsday, is the beginning of the end for the Multiverse Saga. And judging by the early marketing for the film, it is clear that the powers that be at Disney and Marvel Studios want us all hyped for the movie. So while I remain dubious, I feel like I've stuck with these MCU movies long enough that, eff it, I have to see it out of mere obligation.

3. Dune: Part Three

The second half of Dunesday is also the third film from the Frank Herbert book series to be directed by Denis Villeneuve. Dune: Part Three will see him tackle the events of the second book in the series, Dune Messiah, which deals with the ramifications of the holy war waged by the Fremen at the end of the last film. I have my doubts that the film would actually stick to its December 18th release date, but let's wait and see.

2. Project Hail Mary

As a self-confessed sci-fi nerd, the very idea of Project Hail Mary excites me beyond measure. Based on the 2021 book by Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian, it tells the story of a man on a deep-space mission he can't quite remember. Just think Bourne Identity meets Interstellar and you'll have an idea. I haven't read the book, actually, but I am eager to watch the movie, given the great things I've heard about it.

1. The Odyssey

Whenever Christopher Nolan shows up with a new movie, you can bet that I'll pay attention, regardless of subject matter. I mean, just look at Oppenheimer, a three-hour, black-and-white biopic that seemed engineered to put people to sleep but still managed to keep me engaged throughout. Such is the magic of the acclaimed director. So pair that magic with the epic fantasy of Homer's Odyssey, and it sounds like we have another certified banger on our hands.