I watched the Super Mario Bros. movie on Monday. It’s a fun rollercoaster ride that celebrates the Mario series and Nintendo games in general. Any fan of videogames (and Jack Black) should definitely catch it.
But one prevalent talking point about the film, among all of my friends who watched it, was Princess Peach’s portrayal. She’s no longer a princess who has to be rescued, no more a damsel in distress. One friend even commented that Peach’s face “doesn’t look right” and that her voice is not as high pitched as her videogame incarnations.
I can argue that these movie changes are necessary in order to convey this alternate interpretation of Peach. She’s headstrong, badass, and takes initiative. She’s a far more interesting character this way.
There’s no way for me to verify or confirm this, but I can’t help but wonder if this is Nintendo’s response to Anita Sarkeesian, who once criticised Princess Peach by using her as an example of “tropes and women in videogames.”
If you have no idea who she is, then good for you. I recommend that ignorance is bliss. As of 12 Apr 2023, one week after the film’s release, I’ve not seen any comments or discourse from her Twitter account in response to the Mario movie’s positive portrayal of Peach.
Sometimes perhaps, silence is golden. Messages can still be conveyed in the absence of words.