Over the past few decades, technology has evolved at an astounding rate that outpaces virtually any other facet of life. From rotary telephones to iPhones and bulky personal computers to laptops that wildly overpower their predecessors, the advancements in technology all of us have seen in our lifetimes is unlike virtually anything else. One of the more unexpected byproducts of these advancements though is the inception of video games, which have taken on a life of their own in the form of competitive leagues where competitors can win millions. Like the aforementioned developments in technology however, this change did not come overnight and modern video games owe their success to a variety of successful franchises that paved the way for them when they first arose in the 1980’s. One of the best examples of those franchises is now set to come to theaters with the official premiere of The Super Mario Brothers film right around the corner and it looks like eager fans have a lot to look forward to.
Many classic video game franchises from the 1980’s still live on today, but none quite like The Super Mario Brothers franchise. Mario and Luigi have become mainstays in popular culture with Nintendo still releasing new games under the umbrella of the franchise to this very day, and have only seen more and more success as a result. Now they’re set to take things up a notch with the official The Super Mario Brothers film, teaming up with the media giant Illumination who is responsible for films like Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets and many other notable animated projects. Their latest endeavor is bolstered by an incredibly strong cast as well, with Mario and Luigi being voiced by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day, respectively, Jack Black voicing the villainous Bowser, Seth Rogen as the beloved primate Donkey Kong and many more notable names that are sure to pique fans’ interest. The project sees the titular characters playing your average plumbers in the NYC borough of Brooklyn before being transported down a strange pipe that launches them into a vibrant and mysterious world unlike anything they’re accustomed to, but you can see for yourself in the trailer below. The world premiere of The Super Mario Brothers film took place on April 1st at Regal LA Live, and the project is set to officially hit theaters in a few days on April 5th.
While the Super Mario franchise isn’t the only franchise from the golden era of video games that finds success today, none of the others have quite matched what Mario and company have been able to accomplish. With dozens of video games released across a multitude of platforms, a variety of different toys and everything else they’ve derived from the franchise, it’s safe to say Mario is in a league of his own. Now we will just have to wait and see if his talents transition to the big screen as well when The Super Mario Brothers film debuts next week.
