The 1993 Super Mario Bros. Movie Is Bad, But It’s Not The Only Terrible Video Game Movie From The Era

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While many criticize the 1993 film adaptation of Super Mario Bros, there seems to be a lack of negative feedback towards the 1994 movie based on Double Dragon.

Although some folks have revised their opinions about the first “Super Mario Bros” movie, finding reasons to defend it (like myself), I’ve never encountered anyone who would zealously champion the second film, “Double Dragon.” I believe I understand why that is the case.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my thoughts on a movie that left little impact – the infamous “Double Dragon”. It’s not the kind of bad that becomes entertaining over time, like the campy “Mortal Kombat Annihilation”. No, this one falls flat and fails to stand out in any meaningful way. In fact, it’s so forgettable that I fear it may slip into obscurity. However, as a student of film history, I believe it’s important to discuss even the less successful productions, lest we forget about them entirely. So today, I’m diving into the depths of “Double Dragon”, despite its significant shortcomings.

First, The Post-Apocalyptic Setting In Double Dragon Is Nowhere Near As Interesting As The Setting Found In Super Mario. Bros.

Emphasizing a unique artistic approach is crucial. Even the initial “Street Fighter” film, released in 1994, garnered its fair share of supporters due to its distinctive style. The art direction plays a significant role, and it can breathe life into even mediocre productions, making them somewhat engaging.

Were you curious about the initial Mario Bros. film? It bore a strong resemblance to Blade Runner. As a child, I deeply disliked this, but as an adult, it’s one of the elements that leaves the most lasting impression on me. The cityscape of Dinohattan had a peculiar, cyberpunk vibe, and I have to admit, I respect their decision to go that way, despite the fact that it bears no resemblance to the video games at all.

In a nutshell, the game “Double Dragon” is set in the year 2007, where Los Angeles has been severely affected by earthquakes. This transformation has led to a post-apocalyptic version of the city known as “Futuristic Los Angeles,” unlike the captivating landscapes depicted in films like “Mad Max.” Here, station wagons are equipped with computer screens and rocket engines, gangs hold power over the streets, and many people sport mohawks.

In simpler terms, the movie based on Mario Bros. portrayed a more distorted version of reality compared to what we see in Dinohattan and New Angeles. Indeed, Dinohattan left an impression, but New Angeles didn’t make as big of an impact.

Abobo Is Nightmare Fuel

As a cinephile delving into the world of video game adaptations, let me clarify that Double Dragon isn’t your Street Fighter. They hail from different fighting realms, with Street Fighter being a classic fighting game, and Double Dragon, well, it’s a beat ’em up. In the realm of beat ’em ups, our heroes traverse levels, engaging in fisticuffs with numerous adversaries until they finally confront the ultimate boss. And, in true beat ’em up fashion, they take them down too!

To put it simply, beating game characters are often not as well-remembered compared to those in fighting games. Apart from Billy and Jimmy Lee, few people can recall other characters from the Double Dragon series. However, Abobo, a boss character in the Double Dragon games, is an exception that many players recognize.

Certainly, they cast him for the movie, yet it’s hard to believe how drastically different he appears now. Oh dear, what a transformation! The makers have certainly altered his appearance beyond recognition. Now, this is intended to evoke sympathy as the primary antagonist, Koga Shuko (portrayed by Robert Patrick, who I admired in The Marine, but dislike here), gave him such a monstrous makeover. However, it’s still quite shocking to see his new look!

Is he as unappealing as the Goombas from the Super Mario Bros. movie? That’s certainly up for debate. While I find the Goombas somewhat endearing with their goofy grins, I can’t help but be repulsed by Abobo’s appearance, particularly in comparison to his cool depiction in the games. Yuck!

The Two Lead Actors Are No Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, That’s For Sure

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to admit that many people might not have agreed with John Leguizamo as Luigi or Bob Hoskins as Mario, but since I’m a fan of Leguizamo in all his roles, I was thrilled to see him take on the part. Similarly, being a massive fan of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” when Super Mario Bros. was released, I found no issue with Bob Hoskins stepping into the role of Mario.

As for Dennis Hopper, he certainly played an unconventional villain like King Koopa in the movie. But given that the entire film was bizarre, it didn’t particularly bother me. I believe the actors added depth to the movie rather than detracting from it. However, unlike that movie, Double Dragon doesn’t have the same luxury. Scott Wolf from Party of Five takes on the role of Billy Lee, the protagonist, while Mark Dacascos from Brotherhood of the Wolf plays his brother, Jimmy.

In all honesty, neither of the actors here can be compared to Bob Hoskins or John Leguizamo, and even though Robert Patrick is a great actor, he’s not in the same league as Dennis Hopper for me. However, I must admit that Alyssa Milano, who plays the kidnapped character from the first Super Mario Bros. game, is the one shining star of this movie, far surpassing any other cast member from the original film in my opinion.

In the film, she portrays a character leading a resistance movement, and this role is quite distinct from her character in the game – and in my following discussion, I’ll elaborate on these differences.

Plus, The Movie Effectively Expanded The Lore Of The Video Games…But Not In A Good Way

Fighting games such as Street Fighter and Tekken are not commonly recognized for their deep narratives. Instead, these games often incorporate more of a storyline compared to beat ’em ups. For instance, the iconic duel between Zangief and Gorbachev, or Kazuya’s triumphant grin after shoving his father off a ledge, highlights that fighting games already have an established lore. This rich backstory makes it easier for filmmakers to create movies based on these games, as there is ample source material available.

While games like Double Dragon are indeed more straightforward compared to others, that’s part of their charm. They aren’t primarily story-driven; instead, they offer numerous opportunities to press the attack button repeatedly. For instance, in the original Double Dragon, your girlfriend gets attacked and abducted – a simple setup. However, movies often tend to exaggerate the backstory, making it significantly more complex than necessary.

The film centers around two half-pendants, when joined, grant extraordinary abilities. However, the storyline took an unusual turn post-movie, leading to an animated series where the siblings clashed with a Shadow Master. Unusual spin-offs ensued such as a fighting game and even a Neo Geo title derived from the movie.

The addition of these new narratives has complexified a story that was originally straightforward, making it overly intricate. I believe the movie is responsible for this complication. To be clear, the Mario Bros. movie is significantly different from the games. On the other hand, the Double Dragon movie appears to have integrated its expanded lore into the games, which unfortunately doesn’t enhance the already poor narrative.

Lastly, It’s Mostly Forgettable, Which Is The Worst Thing About It

In a previous ranking of video game movies, “Mortal Kombat” and an earlier version of “Mario Bros.” made the cut, but unfortunately, “Double Dragon” didn’t come anywhere near making the list.

Indeed, there was a moment of hesitation as to whether to include “Street Fighter ” or one of the “Resident Evil” films on the list; however, “Double Dragon” never crossed my mind. The reason for this is quite simple: I tend to forget that it exists altogether.

The primary reason I composed this article is that Double Dragon often slips my memory due to its lack of memorability. It’s only when I exhaustively recall all video game movies I’ve ever watched that I remember, “Ah yes, there’s a Double Dragon movie!” Therefore, I want to ensure you don’t overlook it as well.

Have you even seen it? If you have, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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2025-08-30 18:22