Part 5/8:
The animation quality has been widely praised, described as "pristine" and visually stunning, capturing the vibrant and whimsical world of Mario remarkably well. However, some critics dismiss the reliance on nostalgic nods and references, calling it a "checklist" approach that sacrifices narrative depth.
One review explicitly points out that what could have been a heartfelt homage resembles a "highlight reel" of game moments, lacking in story coherence. This sentiment echoes those of fans who might have hoped for a deeper storyline but instead received an experience focused on gameplay elements translated to the big screen.