There was a fair amount of scepticism when it was announced there was going to a be an animated Super Mario flick. After all, film adaptations of video games have been more miss than hit over the years, and Mario took a huge blow with the bombing of the 1993 live action Super Mario Bros., which is now a cult classic.

But Universal Pictures and Illumination certainly knew what there were doing, when The Super Mario Bros Movie was released in 2023 and blew the box office out of the skies, joining the exclusive $1 billion club in the process.

With those kind of numbers, it was a dead cert that we’d see Mario, Luigi and the gang once again, but could it have the same kind of starry magic?

Just as Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) tries to get her Lumas to sleep with a bedtime story, they are rudely interrupted by the arrival of a robot thug, operated by Bowser Jnr. (Benny Safdie), who kidnaps her and transports her through the galaxy.

News of this gets to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) who instantly sets off to save her. Her departure worries Mario (Chris Pratt) and brother Luigi (Charlie Day), who set off after her to make sure she’s safe.

It’s the start of an incredible journey that spans the galaxy, but can they save Peach and Rosalina from the lurking evil in the stars?

Unlike the first film, that received positive reviews, this sequel was less well received by critics. But what do they know. It scored big in too other areas, the box office – again – and with the hordes of gamers that went to enjoy it in their droves. And that’s where it counts.

You can assume that the majority of the negative reviews came from a sad bunch of non gamers, who wouldn’t know their Goomba from their elbow, so this definitely not for those losers.

This is yet another love letter to gamers, specifically those familiar with the Marioverse, particularly those that have ventured through Super Mario Odyssey and the Super Mario Galaxy games.

Admittedly the plot is on the thin side, with just a long chase across the galaxy, but if you’re a fan of Mario, there’s plenty to enjoy.

It is a film brimming with nostalgia, featuring characters throughout the Mario game canon, a few cameos, and plenty of Easter eggs that are bound to bring back happy memories.

And once again Illumination’s animation is sublime, bringing Mario’s vibrant, colourful world to life, in a way that makes it feel like home to all those that have played there.

So if you’re a gamer, young or old, that sees Mario and Luigi as old pals, welcome home again.