Choosing spectacle over an elaborate story — there is just enough of it here to make the movie stick — The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (a mouthful of a title, for sure) is a good day at the movies.

No, scratch that. It’s a great day at the movies!

Overflowing with manic energy that rivals the power burst Mario gets from a Question Mark Block (if you’ve played the game, you will know what I am talking about), the story is perfunctory.

In the far-off reaches of space, Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) lives on a Comet Observatory as the caretaker-cum-mother figure of the Lumas, cuddly star-shaped creatures. All is hunky-dory in their world until she is attacked by Bowser Jr (Benny Safdie).

Manic energy, cosmic battles and a star-studded cast make The Super Mario Galaxy Movie a joyride worth every coin

The pint-sized, boarding school runaway has a simple agenda: he wants to kidnap the princess, save his father, Bowser (Jack Black), from Mario’s prison, and then use his artificially created world to blast planets whose inhabitants made fun of the father and son.

As one can guess from the title, things get cosmic fast.

First, Mario and Luigi (Chris Pratt, Charlie Day) recruit the green dinosaur, Yoshi (Donald Glover), to their ranks after finding him in ancient ruins in the desert. They are then tasked with taking care of Princess Peach’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) kingdom when she decides to go save the Lumas.

The cogs running this animated film’s machine are excessively lubricated. A number of zany action set-pieces hit the audience one after another, leading to a late — but very welcome — reveal of a popular Nintendo character voiced by Glenn Powell. The characters find their separate adventures, rendezvous and then team up for another action sequence.

The action sequences underscore why artificial intelligence (AI) will never be able to replace the efforts of real artists. There are just too many layers of animation, minor body and facial nuances and visual effects driving the kinetic action and complicated camerawork. It’s something that may take AI years to perfect — and even if it does, there is no guarantee that it will be able to believably mimic the artistry of human beings.

Technically, this Illumination production reminds one of the quality Pixar used to have. One can credit the success to returning directors Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath (makers of Teen Titans Go!), and screenwriter Matthew Fogel. There is much to appreciate, and because of that, viewer interest hardly wanes.

Now, one can argue that one’s interest may partially be there because of nostalgia and partially due to the light-hearted nature of the film, and they would not be wrong. But that’s not really a negative point in my opinion. For the most part, we get just the right blend of emotions that move the characters to do what they must in this 90-minute movie. One cannot ask for more.

Released by Universal Pictures internationally and HKC in Pakistan, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is rated U and more than justifies the price of popcorn in cinemas these days.

The writer is Icon’s primary film reviewer

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 12th, 2026

“Firdaus Jamal said heroines should be 15 or 16 because people will get excited. This sort of predatory behaviour is very common — even among chachas and mamoos [uncles]. Firdaus Jamal used to be famous and now says such things to stay relevant.”

— Tamkenat Mansoor, actor and influencer

“Atiqa Odho keeps on saying that I played the hero opposite her, but she was always older than I was. She was a big star — and still is — when I worked opposite her. I think of her and Nadia Khan as elder sisters.”

— Humayun Saeed, actor and producer

“Younger actors in mature roles and mature actors in college uniforms — both are absolute stupidity. People are obsessed with the wrong notions of ageism.”

— Amar Khan, actor, director and writer

“As planned, we paused during Ramazan — a time for reflection — and were set to return after Eid. However, given the current national circumstances, celebration doesn’t feel appropriate. So, we are extending the pause. We will return stronger when Pakistan is ready to celebrate again.”

— Pakistan Idol team

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 12th, 2026

An O2 Moment

Film star and director Shaan Shahid has recently penned and helmed a new film titled Psycho. With a star-studded cast including himself, Meera, Sonya Hussyn, Jawed Sheikh and Shabbir Jan, it is slated to be released on Eidul Azha. Last week, the movie’s teaser was screened at London’s O2 Arena. Reportedly, this marks the first time that a Pakistani film’s teaser has been shown at this iconic venue in England. We congratulate Shaan S and his team for this truly Psycho moment. And yes, we’re talking about the film — at least for now!

Zayn and Nusrat

It is always heartening to see Western artists of Pakistani descent, such as Riz Ahmed and Guz Khan (watch their interviews promoting their series Bait and you’ll know what we’re saying), staying rooted in their culture. However, we are also referring to Zayn Malik, the former One Direction member who is making waves again. His new album, Konnakol, drops on April 17 and features a track called ‘Nusrat’, dedicated to the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. A viral video shows Zayn M speaking with genuine admiration about the iconic Pakistani qawwal, composer and vocalist. Zayn M clearly intends to keep everyone mast mast.

Toilet Seats and Lawsuits

On April Fool’s Day, actress Blake Lively, the wife of Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds, was pranked by their four young kids in a pretty hilarious way — her toilet seat was covered in plastic wrap and the seat cover was also marked in pink. Sharing the prank online, she joked: “I knew I never should have taught them how to read a calendar.” Well, Ryan R is their father, Blake L, so you should have seen such pranks coming your way. At least this playful surprise offered a welcome distraction from her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her co‑star and director on It Ends With Us. Recently, a judge dismissed most of her claims — including sexual harassment — leaving breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting retaliation to be decided at a trial in May 2026.

The Verdict

In 2018, pop sensation Ali Zafar took legal action against singer Meesha Shafi, after she had accused him of sexual misconduct, seeking Rs1 billion in damages. On March 31, 2026, a Lahore sessions court ruled in Ali Z’s favour, ordering Meesha S to pay him Rs5 million in damages. The ruling sparked strong reactions online. Meesha S responded, “Not every victory comes in the form of a court order. When a woman finds courage, that is a victory.” Ali Zafar, meanwhile, wrote, “Justice has finally been done. I feel no triumph, only humility and gratitude. I hold no ill feelings toward anyone.” However, the jury of public opinion is clearly still out.

Appropriation Inc

Recently, Pakistanis on X unleashed a barrage of sarcastic and angry comments when a Spanish fashion brand, Massimo Dutti, displayed its new series of clothes that seemed entirely lifted (influenced?) from Pakistani attire. Which attire, you ask? The answer: shalwar qameez, complete with a dupatta. Quite a few X users cried ‘cultural appropriation’ and criticised the designers for not giving credit where it’s due, and for failing to acknowledge the Pakistani influence. To be honest, it’s nothing new for Europeans to take without acknowledging. Anyone remember when another brand sold Peshawari chappals as quirky sandals it had designed itself?

Dubai Derailed

The war in the Middle East has disrupted aspects of life all over the world (particularly in terms of oil and gas imports), but also including in the making of films. One of the sequences of Shah Rukh Khan’s forthcoming film, King, was to be shot in Dubai, but those plans have been put on hold, for now. Similarly, Akshay Kumar’s eagerly awaited project, Welcome to the Jungle, which was supposed to be released this year, was to have a song set in Dubai as part of the movie’s climactic scenes. That isn’t happening and the song will now be filmed in Mumbai. Well, dear filmmakers: welcome to real war.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 12th, 2026