Title- Rolling down the River.
Ok, I actually don’t know what this episode was based on (and I doubt many kids who watched it had a clue either) but I found it far more enjoyable than the last episode. The setting was more interesting, the characters were more fun and Koopa was pretty humorous. Mark Twang was a cool character, I was going to say an unusual character to help the Mario Bros, but then again there weren’t really a set character stereotype in this show who would team up with the Mario Bros so I guess really I’d be wrong there. The mouth of the river was kinda cool, and reminded me a lot of the character in Pirates of the Caribbean 2 Tia Dalma who was also in a swamp. I dunno really why I thought of her actually…
There were actually some quite funny moments, like the ‘heroes’ being the ones who were cheating at cards. Also there was a cameo from Clawgrip, the only boss of the game SMB2 who never was a second in command to Koopa.
Overall a pretty fun episode, I’d say slightly above average for the series.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Super Mario Bros Super Show Episode 4
Title- Mario’s Magic Carpet.
Another episode based around a pop culture tale, this time I think it’s Aladdin, but I’m not sure. It’s not really one of the direct adaptations, more just using a similar setting. Basically they’re searching for Aladdin’s lamp (which is pretty illogical if Aladdin already owns it, but whatever.) and they get captured by this Sultan guy who makes the princess become part of his harem. Then Koopa shows up as we can’t have an episode without him, and buys the Princess off him. Meanwhile the Mario bros find the lamp and some genie and a load of stuff happens. I dunno, I just can’t enjoy this episode, there are only a couple of moments that I find memorable about it but other than that it really is one of the shows worst, a real example of pure drudgery that this series could occasionally fall into (not too often though thank god.)
What was interesting? Well I found the idea of using a swirling quicksand pit as a execution type place kinda cool, reminded me of the sarlacc pit out of Star Wars (the giant mouth in the sand Jabba tried to force them into.) Also, the idea that Luigi speaks Pidgit was really out there. Finally, I suppose the idea of the flying carpets practically being cars was kinda funny I suppose.
Overall, a pretty dull episode, maybe hampered by the fact I don’t really enjoy stories set in deserts to begin with.
Another episode based around a pop culture tale, this time I think it’s Aladdin, but I’m not sure. It’s not really one of the direct adaptations, more just using a similar setting. Basically they’re searching for Aladdin’s lamp (which is pretty illogical if Aladdin already owns it, but whatever.) and they get captured by this Sultan guy who makes the princess become part of his harem. Then Koopa shows up as we can’t have an episode without him, and buys the Princess off him. Meanwhile the Mario bros find the lamp and some genie and a load of stuff happens. I dunno, I just can’t enjoy this episode, there are only a couple of moments that I find memorable about it but other than that it really is one of the shows worst, a real example of pure drudgery that this series could occasionally fall into (not too often though thank god.)
What was interesting? Well I found the idea of using a swirling quicksand pit as a execution type place kinda cool, reminded me of the sarlacc pit out of Star Wars (the giant mouth in the sand Jabba tried to force them into.) Also, the idea that Luigi speaks Pidgit was really out there. Finally, I suppose the idea of the flying carpets practically being cars was kinda funny I suppose.
Overall, a pretty dull episode, maybe hampered by the fact I don’t really enjoy stories set in deserts to begin with.
The Super Mario Bros Super Show Episode 3
Title- Butch Mario and the Luigi Kid.
Yet another takeoff, this time of a western movie. This one’s based on I think Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid but don’t quote me on that. This is also the first episode in which Koopa actually takes on an alter ego, as Kid Koopa (who might be a takeoff of Billy the Kid but I dunno.) We also get some creative uses of enemies from the games. Instead of guns, the characters have pocket sized Cobrats (the snakes who hid in jars and shot bullets at you from them) which they use as guns. Also, Ostros are used as horses and many other enemies appear such as Pokeys, Snifits and Tweeters.
This episode is also notable for being the first appearance of Mouser, who was a boss from the game SMB2 and appears pretty regularly as Koopa’s second in command. Even when Mouser appears in episodes with the other characters that are sometimes Koopa’s second in command, he often seems to be the one above them.
So what about the episode, well it was pretty basic fun, there were some weird moments, like when a group of Mouser’s Snifits fail to make it over a river and drown he actually starts crying over them, it’s kinda surreal really in this cartoon. Other than that, there are some pretty humorous moments, like the way the Mario Bros keep finding their wanted poster going up, but it’s not really one of the best episodes.
Overall, a pretty average episode, it’s got some funny moments.
Yet another takeoff, this time of a western movie. This one’s based on I think Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid but don’t quote me on that. This is also the first episode in which Koopa actually takes on an alter ego, as Kid Koopa (who might be a takeoff of Billy the Kid but I dunno.) We also get some creative uses of enemies from the games. Instead of guns, the characters have pocket sized Cobrats (the snakes who hid in jars and shot bullets at you from them) which they use as guns. Also, Ostros are used as horses and many other enemies appear such as Pokeys, Snifits and Tweeters.
This episode is also notable for being the first appearance of Mouser, who was a boss from the game SMB2 and appears pretty regularly as Koopa’s second in command. Even when Mouser appears in episodes with the other characters that are sometimes Koopa’s second in command, he often seems to be the one above them.
So what about the episode, well it was pretty basic fun, there were some weird moments, like when a group of Mouser’s Snifits fail to make it over a river and drown he actually starts crying over them, it’s kinda surreal really in this cartoon. Other than that, there are some pretty humorous moments, like the way the Mario Bros keep finding their wanted poster going up, but it’s not really one of the best episodes.
Overall, a pretty average episode, it’s got some funny moments.
The Super Mario Bros Super Show Episode 2
Title- King Mario of Cramalot.
So, onto the episode which started the trend of having a parody of some pop culture story. This one is based on the Legend of King Arthur. Basically, Mario and friends come to the land of Cramalot (I see what you did there). Mario is guided by Melvin the Magician to pull the golden plunger and become king of Cramalot, then Koopa steals the plunger. Koopa had marched in and taken over when the previous king died, so he stole the plunger to stop Mario’s claim to the throne.
There are some pretty funny moments, mainly to do with Luigi. One part I remember that was funny was how after Luigi’s been cowering during the battle, when everything’s over he appears with the rest of the group trying to look heroic. Also cool was that we got to see a few new enemies, the first being Beezos (shy guys with wings) and the second being Koopa Troopers and Koopa Paratroopers.
One thing I find humorous is that there was a takeoff of Merlin in Paper Mario called Merlon, and you know if you’ve read any of my other articles on here I love trying to draw parallels between the games and cartoons.
Overall, a pretty fun episode, typical of the series.
So, onto the episode which started the trend of having a parody of some pop culture story. This one is based on the Legend of King Arthur. Basically, Mario and friends come to the land of Cramalot (I see what you did there). Mario is guided by Melvin the Magician to pull the golden plunger and become king of Cramalot, then Koopa steals the plunger. Koopa had marched in and taken over when the previous king died, so he stole the plunger to stop Mario’s claim to the throne.
There are some pretty funny moments, mainly to do with Luigi. One part I remember that was funny was how after Luigi’s been cowering during the battle, when everything’s over he appears with the rest of the group trying to look heroic. Also cool was that we got to see a few new enemies, the first being Beezos (shy guys with wings) and the second being Koopa Troopers and Koopa Paratroopers.
One thing I find humorous is that there was a takeoff of Merlin in Paper Mario called Merlon, and you know if you’ve read any of my other articles on here I love trying to draw parallels between the games and cartoons.
Overall, a pretty fun episode, typical of the series.
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