The Super Mario Galaxy Movie now in cinemas in UAE: Here is everything you need to know on cast and plot

Dubai: The follow-up to one of the most successful animated films in recent years is finally here. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has arrived in cinemas across the UAE, and it is shaping up to be every bit as fun and visually spectacular as its predecessor. Here is what you need to know before you grab your tickets.

What is the film about?

Set after the events of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, this new adventure sees Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad heading into space. The gang must once again stop a member of the Bowser clan from carrying out a villainous plan, this time with an intergalactic twist and a whole new galaxy sitting above the Mushroom Kingdom.

The film is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the same duo behind the first film, and was made in close creative partnership with Nintendo's legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. That collaboration is a big part of why these films feel so true to the games, something fans noticed with the first movie and are likely to appreciate just as much here.

The new cast additions

The returning cast is joined by some exciting new faces pulled straight from beloved Nintendo games:

• Rosalina, the powerful guardian of the stars, makes her debut alongside her star-shaped Luma companions

• Bowser Jr. enters the picture as Bowser's miniature and equally troublesome offspring

• Yoshi finally gets his moment, voiced by Donald Glover

• Fox McCloud from the Star Fox franchise makes a surprise appearance, voiced by Glen Powell

• Mr. Game and Watch also appears for eagle-eyed Nintendo fans

The inclusion of Fox McCloud is particularly notable as Nintendo rarely mixes its franchises. According to Miyamoto, it took some internal convincing, but enthusiasm within Nintendo turned out to be stronger than anyone anticipated.

The casting stories are charming

Both Glen Powell and Donald Glover essentially cast themselves. Speaking to Forbes Powell said he rang the production team after the first film to express his deep love for Fox McCloud and his dream of being part of a Star Fox project, completely unaware that the character was already being discussed for this very movie.

Glover made a similar call, telling the team he would deliver "the most incredible Yoshi" if given the chance. Both got exactly what they asked for.

Why Super Mario Galaxy?

The choice to base the film on the Galaxy games was driven by the creative possibilities that space opens up. The first film was grounded in a fairly Earth-like setting, but Galaxy allows for shifting gravity, floating planetoids and a sense of cosmic wonder that translates beautifully to the big screen.

There is also an emotional thread running from the first film into this one. A quiet moment in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, where Peach gazes into space and admits she does not know where she came from, became the foundation for this sequel.

The relationship between Peach and Rosalina sits at the heart of the story, an idea that Miyamoto and game director Yoshiaki Koizumi had discussed during the original development of the Super Mario Galaxy video game but never fully resolved until now.

Reviews by the critics so far

Reactions have been both warm and cold. Critics acknowledge the film was not made to win awards but to bring fans of all ages together in a spirit of celebration, much like the first one.

Writing for The Gamer, Sam Woods described it as a film made to bring fans new and old together "in almost a celebratory fashion." For families, Nintendo fans and anyone who simply wants a good time at the cinema, it delivers exactly what it promises.

Stay for the post-credits scenes

This bit contains spoilers for the post-credit scenes

There are two bonus scenes worth waiting for. The first brings back Lumalee, the cheerfully gloomy blue star creature who became a breakout favourite in the first film. He is now working as a prison guard for Bowser and Bowser Jr., and his outlook on life has not improved one bit. It is a genuinely funny payoff for fans of the character.

The second scene is more of a tease for the future. Princess Daisy, a Nintendo staple since her debut in the 1989 Game Boy title Super Mario Land, makes a brief appearance that strongly hints at more films to come. She has no lines, but her presence alone was enough to get audiences talking.

Where to watch it in the UAE

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now showing in cinemas across the UAE. It is a great pick for families, a nostalgic treat for anyone who grew up with the games, and proof that the Nintendo and Illumination partnership has found a formula that genuinely works.

Areeba Hashmi is a trainee at Gulf News.