The highly anticipated sequel, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” continues the cinematic journey of the beloved Nintendo franchise, enriching the narrative with an extraordinary array of characters, enemies, and power-ups drawn from the extensive history of “Mario” video games and incorporating significant nods to other iconic Nintendo titles. Following the animated blockbuster’s success in 2023, this new installment, drawing inspiration from the 2007 “Super Mario Galaxy” video game, is jam-packed with Easter eggs, musical references, and deep lore for fans.

The film introduces several popular characters, including the villainous Bowser Jr., voiced by Benny Safdie, and the enigmatic space princess Rosalina, brought to life by Brie Larson. The plot sees Mario (Chris Pratt), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Luigi (Charlie Day), and newcomer Yoshi (Donald Glover) embarking on a galactic quest to rescue Rosalina from Bowser (Jack Black) and his son. Their adventure takes them far beyond Brooklyn and the Mushroom Kingdom, through new planets reminiscent of past games.

A major highlight is the significant crossover with the “Star Fox” universe. Glen Powell voices Fox McCloud, the renowned “Star Fox” pilot and an original character from the “Super Smash Bros.” fighting series. Fox plays a surprisingly substantial role, encountering Mario and his companions when they are stranded in space. He offers them transport in his Arwing spaceship, joins the fight against Bowser, and even receives a personal backstory flashback. In a post-credits scene, Fox and a Toad deliver the defeated Bowser (now in his Dry Bowser form after a lava-induced transformation) and Bowser Jr. to a deserted prison, accompanied by the distinctive “Star Fox” music, sparking fan hopes for a standalone “Star Fox” movie or a larger “Super Smash Bros.” crossover.

The movie is a veritable “Super Smash Bros.” festival, with numerous characters introduced who have graced the fighting game rosters. Mario, Fox, Luigi, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong are staples of every “Super Smash Bros.” game, while Peach, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Rosalina, and Diddy Kong joined later. Cameos from R.O.B. (the Robotic Operating Buddy, voiced by Ed Skudder), Mr. Game & Watch (summoned by Luigi using Bowser Jr.’s magical paintbrush), and Captain Olimar’s Pikmin (with Olimar’s S.S. Dolphin ship appearing at a spaceport) total at least 13 references to “Smash Bros.” characters, underscoring the film’s expansive Nintendo universe.

Further enriching the character roster, the final post-credits scene introduces Princess Daisy, Peach’s royal counterpart and one of the “Mario” series’ most popular figures. This cameo, appearing after Luigi’s earlier wish for his own princess, hints at a potential romantic pairing with Luigi in a future installment. Daisy, first appearing as a damsel in distress in 1989’s “Super Mario Land,” is the ruler of Sarasaland and is often portrayed as Luigi’s love interest, also featuring as an alternate Peach in “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” Other notable characters include Birdo, a pink, egg-shooting dinosaur often Yoshi’s counterpart, who appears as one of Wart’s enforcers at his casino and battles Peach. Ninji, a black, ninja-inspired enemy from early “Mario” games, attacks Peach in the casino sequence. The film also features infant versions of the heroes: Baby Mario, who gets zapped by Bowser Jr. and saved by Yoshi; Baby Luigi, often saved by his brother; and Baby Peach, who appears in a flashback to Peach’s origins and is later revealed to be Rosalina’s sister.

The film ingeniously incorporates specific locations and elements from various “Mario” games. The adventure begins with Mario and Luigi exploring the sandy Tostarena Town from “Super Mario Odyssey,” where they first meet Yoshi. Later, they venture into space, encountering a gravity-defying casino run by Wart and a bee colony led by Queen Bee, both originating from the “Super Mario Galaxy” game. Other “Odyssey” references include a T-rex from a prehistoric planet (which Baby Mario interacts with and is later de-aged) and a massive dragon summoned during the final confrontation with Bowser.

Iconic items and power-ups from throughout the “Mario” universe are also meticulously showcased. Peach’s iconic pink parasol, a birthday gift from Mario, functions as both a weapon and a glider, echoing its role since “Super Mario RPG.” Bowser Jr.’s Magic Paintbrush, a relic from “Super Mario Sunshine,” is used as a weapon to trap enemies. The celestial Launch Stars from “Super Mario Galaxy” facilitate inter-planetary travel. A humorous montage depicts the Hammer Bros. battling Mario and Luigi in a classic floating-brick setup. Other power-ups seen include Ice Mario (from “Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time” and “Super Mario Galaxy”), the Frog Suit (“Super Mario Bros. 3”), the Penguin Suit (“New Super Mario Bros. Wii”), Drill Mario (from “Super Mario Bros. Wonder”), the Cloud Suit (“Super Mario Galaxy 2”), Blimp Yoshi (also from “Super Mario Galaxy 2”), the Bubble Flower (“Super Mario Bros. Wonder”), the Red Star (“Super Mario Galaxy”), and Cape Mario (“Super Mario World”).

Further clever Easter eggs abound: Kamek the Magikoopa is seen sipping from a mug with the Gadd Science logo, a nod to Professor E. Gadd, inventor of the FLUDD device from “Super Mario Sunshine.” In a sequence reminiscent of “Super Mario Maker,” Bowser Jr. traps Mario and Peach in a live-constructed platforming level using a system called “Bowser OS,” complete with Thwomps and spinning fire bars, culminating in the classic “Super Mario” level complete music. The final showdown between Mario and Bowser takes place on a bridge over lava, a direct homage to the original “Super Mario Bros.” where Mario cuts the bridge with an axe to defeat King Koopa.

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is a masterclass in fan service, weaving together decades of Nintendo lore into a thrilling and visually stunning cinematic experience. Its meticulous attention to detail, from obscure character cameos to faithful recreations of game mechanics, ensures a rich viewing experience that celebrates the vast and interconnected universe of Mario and beyond.