‘Action and Stuff’ OK, but Dinosaur Is Dull

In “The Super Mario Bros.,” Nintendo game characters come to life as Manhattan plumbers Luigi and Mario Mario battle the evil Koopa (played by Dennis Hopper) in a parallel dimension where dinosaur descendants reign. (Rated PG)

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Despite a futuristic set, a love story, funny characters in creative costumes and a plot involving a “devolution machine,” kids couldn’t remember much about this movie afterward except the explosions and chase scenes--for which they awarded a thumbs-up.

“It was better than I expected it to be,” said Chris, who at 12 was the old man of his group of friends. “Usually, movies like that are meant for younger kids. This one was a little bit better. There was a lot of action and stuff.”

It wasn’t as bloody as other action thrillers he likes, “but it was still interesting, and it was an adventure,” he said.

Many kids had logged untold hours with Nintendo playing this game, and some were disappointed that the movie characters strayed from the look of the game’s characters. “In the game (Koopa) has a turtle shell on his back, and in this one he looked almost human,” Chris said. Dennis Hopper should be pleased.

“I didn’t like it with Yoshi (the pet dinosaur),” said David, 11. “He didn’t come up that much. They didn’t catch a ride on him like in the game.”

Some kids said they liked the movie better because they didn’t have to play and get all worked up competing in what can sometimes be a boring or frustrating game.

“When I first got Super Mario Bros., I played about two hours a day, tops,” David said. “Then I got tired of it and only played for 30 minutes. I got all mad and punched the walls. I couldn’t pass it.”

“Do you think these games make kids violent?”

“That’s just me,” he said, smiling.

Nick, 12, said the game and the movie were equally fun.

“But in one you can move yourself, and the other you just sit there and watch it,” I pointed out.

“So?” he said.

A little defensive, are we?

I could tell by his tone it was time to switch to a more neutral subject.

“Personally,” I said, “I got the feeling at the end of the movie that they might be setting us up for a sequel. It didn’t seem to end happily ever after. The girl says they have to come back and help her.”

Said Nick, “That’s because they’re probably going to make another one and start from there and go on.” Right.

Would he see Super Mario Bros. II?

“Yeah. I’d see ‘em all.”