I already saw this film, and i think it was in very early 10s. Surely after 2007 and before 2014, yet i have no record of that or any notes anywhere. Probably i saw it even before i ever finished Super Mario Bros. In 2012, and these could've been related events. I wasn't impressed by it but i didn't hate it either.

So the film is not related to the games at all. Out of all the lazy films in gaming properties of that time, this one probably has the least relation to its source. And it's not like they had to work with only Jumpman, Mario Bros. And Super Mario Bros. The IP was already populated enough, yet still malleable to let your creativity flow. Even i can write a more Mario movie from either jumpman or super. Just make a generic adventure while re-creating some of the key art, and people would eat it and ask for more. Mortal Kombat did that.

As a movie, this story is not entirely hopeless, but it's rather convoluted. It requires a good plot to support such a complex structure. But the plot is rather weak. A lot of the events happen because of the script, instead of organically. Like when they talk through the wall, but you see them falling through a wormhole. If you cut those VFX you lose some visuals, but making it a portal would instantly fix this hole. Big Bertha's switch comes out of nowhere. Daisy is a dinosaur, but her dad was devolved into fungus? And then he evolved himself back? But none of the goombas? There is the pay-off for the dance scene, but it comes out of nowhere and for no reason. They just fled behind the troops' backs anyway.

The writing is targeting babies, so it's not good, and it's all just childish comedy writing. Many line go nowhere. The epitome of that is the post-credits joke. They could've referenced any of the real games, instead, it is a pointless not-funny non sequitur. The one thing i will call good is Mario Mario and Luigi Mario. Because how can they be Mario Bros. Otherwise?

But also it's an absolutely great-looking movie. The infestation is gross, the CGI is old, but the practical effects are some of the best in cinema. Everything physical related to dinosaurs is beyond believable and expressive. The props and the dystopian setting beloved by the 90s movies are also good. Product placement sucks, tho. It's not good period, but some movies at least write it into the storyline, instead of just branding bob-omb with reebok.

It is a good enough watch it's not boring and is not too cringy. With still better story and still better plot than The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with amazing visuals, i was really tempted to say that it's a better film. But when something is called Super Mario Bros. And it is not Super Mario Bros. In any way, shape or form, while the other film delivers a lot of on-point ingredients, i can't sincerely rate it better.