The live-action Super Mario Bros.: The Movie has earned an expensive 4K release in honor of its 30th anniversary. Having been adapted from Nintendo’s video game franchise of the same name, the 1993 movie revolved around Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi (John Leguizamo) as the two brothers face increasingly absurd threats. The movie was a disaster at the box office, earning just $38.9 million on a budget of over $40 million. The franchise has since been rebooted in animated form, with the Chris Pratt-led movie earning over $1.3 billion during its run.
Despite Super Mario Bros.‘ poor reputation, it is set to receive a special anniversary release from Umbrella Home Entertainment. The massive box set offers a 4K Ultra HD edition of the movie, complete with three discs, two Blu-rays, behind-the-scenes books, film cell, posters, stickers, art cards, new audio commentary, and newly-restored deleted scenes and trailers. The box set, which carries a massive $100 price tag, is set to release in January 2024. Check out the art work of the box set in the gallery below:
Why The Live-Action Mario Movie Failed
The newest Super Mario Bros. broke box office records, leaving many questions about the live-action version. With such a lucrative IP, it seems unfathomable that the movie could fail so profoundly. Boasting strong special effects for its time, the movie could easily have been a smashing success, as the 2023 version proved, yet, instead of being remembered positively, it failed completely.
Much of the fault came from the complete disconnect from the source material. While the current iteration embraces the bright and bubbly atmosphere of the games, the live-action version attempted to add some unnecessary flair to the universe. It presented the world as a dystopia, rather than portraying an exciting and comforting Mushroom Kingdom. It also leaned into Mario and Luigi’s role as plumbers, something that took up space and offered little to the Mario world.
The live-action Mario also failed to consider its audience. The animated version leans into being a family-friendly film that anyone can enjoy, and while critics felt its plot was thin and somewhat predictable, it faithfully adapted the world of the Super Mario games. The live-action version did the exact opposite, complicating the plot with interesting elements but failing to capitalize on the pre-existing world. Today, Super Mario Bros. is remembered for its absurd plots and a surprisingly expensive 4K release.
Full Details For Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
Only available from the Umbrella webstore, the TRUST THE FUNGUS – Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition includes:
- A brand new 4K restoration from original camera negative
- Over 250 page hardback bound book including a host of production materials, interviews and artwork
- Over 200-page bound book of scripts including early drafts
- Genuine Super Mario Bros. film cell in collectible case
- Replica A6 1993 34-page Souvenir magazine
- Classic artwork designed outer rigid slipcase
- Classic artwork design slipcase
- 8 replica lobby cards
- 2 x A3 reversible posters featuring USA, Australian, Thai and Japanese original posters
- Sticker sheet
- Limited Edition numbered release
DISC 1 4K UHD100 Feature
- NEW! Feature film from brand new 4K master
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Parker Bennett (screenwriter)
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Fred Caruso (co-producer) and David L. Snyder (production designer)
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Jeff Goodwin (key makeup artist), Mark McCoy (special effects crew) and Craig Edwards (production assistant)
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Steven Applebaum & Richard Hoss (Super Mario Bros. The Movie archivists)
- NEW! Newly restored 4K deleted scenes
- NEW! Newly restored 4K Ain’t No Game trailer
- NEW! Newly restored 4K I’ve Got The Power trailer
DISC 2 Blu-ray Feature
- NEW! Feature film from brand new 4K master
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Parker Bennett (screenwriter)
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Fred Caruso (co-producer) and David L. Snyder (production designer)
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Jeff Goodwin (key makeup artist), Mark McCoy (special effects crew) and Craig Edwards (production assistant)
- NEW! Audio Commentary with Steven Applebaum & Ryan Hoss (Super Mario Bros. The Movie archivists)
- NEW! Newly restored deleted scenes
- NEW! Newly restored Ain’t No Game trailer
- NEW! Newly restored I’ve Got The Power trailer
DISC 3 Blu-ray Extras
- NEW! Newly restored workprint in HD
- NEW! Storyboard to Screen animatics
- NEW! Academic Featurettes
- Katabasis: From Damsel to Goddess
- Anarcho-Dino-Sado Chic: The Fashion of Dinohattan
- The Hero Moment: Super Mario, Superhero
- (D)evolution, Dystopia, and Trusting the Fungus
- NEW! Spike & Iggy Revolutionary Rap music video restored with new music composed by Richard Edson
- NEW! Anti-Koopa protest music video
- NEW! Collection of archival Japanese trailers
- NEW! Collection of archival commercials
- This Ain’t No Video Game Featurette (55mins)
- ‘Making Of’ Featurette (25mins)
- Original electronic press kit with cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
- Galleries: Stills, storyboards and concepts
