Hot take time. Super Mario Bros (1993) is a better movie than Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

I haven't seen the new one but in the 1993 one King Koopa is played by DENNIS HOPPER.

That's such an unhinged choice that I can't possibly imagine the new one can beat it.

Plus I have a deep and unrelenting love for John Leguizamo. Dude is a treasure.

"Well sir he stole John Wicks car, and killed his dog."

Is it a better movie? Yes. Without question. Super Mario Bros (1993) is a weird fun cult cyberpunk movie featuring Dennis Hopper, Bob Hoskins, and Mojo fucking Nixon. it's in the same class of movie as Tank Girl and Dark City.

Is it a better Mario Movie? No, probably not. There is nothing in the 1993 movie that really feels like it's from Mario. The 2023 movie's design is dripping in the aesthetic that makes Mario feel like Mario. The problem with it is that it's a safe, big budget, kids movie made in the modern era, so there is almost nothing that sets it apart.

You can't forget john leguizamo.

You couldn't even provide opening remarks on your own post? it's like you outsourced the job of posting something interesting to everyone else. "Hey guys can you explain my hot take for me?" what?

I would say the 2023 one has a much better aesthetic than the original. It is visually recognizable as Mario in every shot, where as the Bob Hoskins one is only able to be recognized as Mario when Mario or Luigi are actually on screen.

100% The original was an absolute banger and people who hated it were out of touch with reality at the time. Like if someone tried to remake Back to the Future; nothing will ever hold a candle to the original.

I completely agree and I'll go to hell doing the dinosaur.

Loved the '93 film as a kid, and love it even more as an adult. It's like a weird Blade Runner for children. The set design and overall aesthetic have aged damn well, and the older I get, the more I appreciate it. I still have the original VHS we borrowed from Blockbuster back in the day (and never returned.)

The 2023 movie was a better Mario movie in that it understood and respected the lore. The 1993 movie always felt like it was supposed to be it's own thing until someone suggested that it become a Mario movie. It feels like the people making the 1993 movie never played a Mario game at all.

I used to have it on VHS, played it often as I loved it. I wonder what the movie would have been like if Disney wasn't involved (lateron).

Absolutely correct.