Movie could also provide the elixir that exhibitors have been thirsting for lately. This is welcome news for the multiplex industry, as it can screen the movie more times on a typical day than the average silver screen epic that can be two or even three hours long. The movie clocks in at just 92 minutes including the credits.

As an animated feature, it's also not very long. We're talking about three generations of young or nostalgic gamers as a potential audience. games have been a staple since the 1980s. The even better news is that the Super Mario Bros.

It's audiences after all - and not critics - who buy tickets. The figure will likely head lower, but that's a strong start. It's still early in terms of audience reviews, stemming largely from diehard fans who saw the midnight screening late on Tuesday evening. The good news is that the initial audience score is clocking in at a whopping 98% approval score. Just 55% of the seasoned film reviewers tracked by Rotten Tomatoes are recommending the new movie.

The initial critic reviews aren't very encouraging. Can a pair of plumber brothers with a sense of adventure get Nintendo and the multiplex industry back on track? It's time to see if they can level up and defeat the end boss.

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