Super Mario Bros. movie re-release

[Redstar]

So, apparently Disney has re-released the original Super Mario Bros. movie. The problem? It's exactly the same as the original DVD release from seven years ago, with the only difference being barely perceptible cosmetic changes to the DVD box. The poor transfer directly from laser disc and the aspect-ratio issue in which widescreen mode only being watchable under fullscreen mode are still present. Nothing was changed.

Needless to say, the fans of the movie that have been waiting for a proper release for 17 years aren't happy about this. We've contacted Disney and received some response, but in order to actually have some influence and have them consider finally releasing this movie in a respectable format we have to step on some more toes.

I know many of you may not have even seen the movie, let alone like it, but considering how much we all appreciate movies and video games I was hoping some of you could take the time to write out a short E-mail to Disney to convey a larger presence. A few paragraphs on the improper aspect-ratio and the hope for a better release is all that needs to be said.

You can read about the comparison between the original and new releases as well as the problems found in both here, and you can contact Disney here. Feel free to ask questions or post your E-mails here... Any help is really appreciated. :)

 

[Morgnarok]

Never saw it...never want to see it and i think if i did see it i would want to rewind time so i could save the time i wasted watching something so pointless.

 

[Redstar]

Never saw it...never want to see it and i think if i did see it i would want to rewind time so i could save the time i wasted watching something so pointless.

It's a cult-classic and very enjoyed by a lot of people. Don't waste your time with the That Guy With The Glasses-dumbass mentality.

 

[Mario The World Champion]

I saw it. I loathed it. I wanted to flush that movie down the toilet. I'm siding with The Nostalgia Critic when he said it's that bad. The whole movie was a lie. It was NOTHING like the games, which fans were hoping, but all we got were dinosaurs, a stupid plot, a guy who makes a bad Luigi and a Yoshi that looks NOTHING like the Yoshi we all know.

I feel so bad for Dennis Hopper and Bob Hoskins for going through that.

 

[Redstar]

I saw it. I loathed it. I wanted to flush that movie down the toilet. I'm siding with The Nostalgia Critic when he said it's that bad. The whole movie was a lie. It was NOTHING like the games, which fans were hoping, but all we got were dinosaurs, a stupid plot, a guy who makes a bad Luigi and a Yoshi that looks NOTHING like the Yoshi we all know.

I feel so bad for Dennis Hopper and Bob Hoskins for going through that.

Now, pray-tell, how would you have adapted a story about a plumber in a magical dinosaur world that stomps living mushrooms and turtles and shoots fire from his fists using flowers? The games are not filmable, and never should have been. The movie did an admirable job for what it was.

In any case, this thread isn't about how good or bad the movie is, it's about working to get a proper release out for the first time. It's been 17 years and we've yet to see this movie in any form that's worth watching.

 

[Jolene]

Now, pray-tell, how would you have adapted a story about a plumber in a magical dinosaur world that stomps living mushrooms and turtles and shoots fire from his fists using flowers? The games are not filmable, and never should have been. The movie did an admirable job for what it was.

I would have adapted it as a cute little animated cartoon movie or something nice like that.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

I like the movie, so sue me. No, it certainly isn't the great movie ever. And hell, it has very little to do with the games. But, it is a pretty fun and goofy popcorn flick.

Hoskins makes a pretty good Mario. And I like Yoshi - at least he has his tongue. And it looks more like Blade Runner than Mario, but whatever. Its fun.

And while the movie may not be very Mario-ey, I do enjoy spotting all the small references to the games that are scattered about.

The new covers isn't all that new. Just rearranged. It isn't marketed as a special edition or anything. Hell, it isn't being marketed at all. lol This is just a reprint, and when the movie was first released on DVD it was common for "lesser titles" like this to not be anamorphic.

I converted my old DVD to anamorphic and burnt a new one. Not the cleanest or best solution, but meh.

 

[Redstar]

Hoskins makes a pretty good Mario. And I like Yoshi - at least he has his tongue. And it looks more like Blade Runner than Mario, but whatever. Its fun.

Yes! I mean, come on, how can anyone find the tongue-included animatronic Yoshi not awesome?

The new covers isn't all that new. Just rearranged. It isn't marketed as a special edition or anything. Hell, it isn't being marketed at all. lol This is just a reprint, and when the movie was first released on DVD it was common for "lesser titles" like this to not be anamorphic.

I converted my old DVD to anamorphic and burnt a new one. Not the cleanest or best solution, but meh.

Think you'd be able to take the time to send a short E-mail on the subject? The more people indicate they're interested the more likely it is that Disney will acquiesce and provide us with something decent (apparently the Region 2 Dutch release is anamorphic and has 5.1 sounds rather than 2.0. Why do the Dutch get such a good release and we get ****?)

 

[Tyrantrum]

In my honest opinion, this movie was just God awful. It made no sense AT ALL! I don't see why they would re-release such monstrosity to the world.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

Yes! I mean, come on, how can anyone find the tongue-included animatronic Yoshi not awesome?


Think you'd be able to take the time to send a short E-mail on the subject? The more people indicate they're interested the more likely it is that Disney will acquiesce and provide us with something decent (apparently the Region 2 Dutch release is anamorphic and has 5.1 sounds rather than 2.0. Why do the Dutch get such a good release and we get ****?)

I haven't watched the film since I got my surround sound set up, but... that it doesn't have surround sound seems strange to me.

When I ripped the disc to make it anamorphic I remember selected such audio streams for inclusion. I could be wrong though. I want to look into that

 

[Redstar]

I haven't watched the film since I got my surround sound set up, but... that it doesn't have surround sound seems strange to me.

I recommend you join the SMB Movie Archive forums. Dedicated to archiving information on the movie (such as early scripts, concept art, deleted scenes, merchandise, etc.) that's otherwise incredibly difficult to find. (The VIP code required to register is 2486)

This thread discusses differences among the different regional releases, though there aren't many.

When I ripped the disc to make it anamorphic I remember selected such audio streams for inclusion. I could be wrong though. I want to look into that

This thread is about a bootleg edition of the movie one of our members made. He re-cropped the movie to give it a proper widescreen experience and tweaked the brightness and contrast to look much better. Sounds something along the lines of what you did, so figured you'd be interested.