As far as video game movies are concerned, Super Mario Bros. is probably not the best example on how to make one. Still, if you were a kid in the 90’s, you probably watched it anyway and secretly enjoyed the campy references. You might have even thought that the more realistic approach to Yoshi was still actually kind of cute. Whatever your feelings on the matter with how the goombas or bob-ombs were explained, we have sadly lost one of the Mario brothers today, Mr. Bob Hoskins.

Originally released back in 1993 to mixed reviews, the film turned off some critics with the idea of a video game being made into a full-length feature film, while other critics at least praised the special effects and costumes. If anything, it might be said that it paved the way for the genre by being the first international film of its kind. For better or worse, it predated other video game-based movies including Double Dragon in 1994, Mortal Kombat in 1995, Resident Evil in 2002, and future releases including the upcoming Assassin’s Creed and Warcraft flicks.

Personally, I’ll always remember Mr. Hoskins as Eddie Valiant from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? or even as Mr. Smee from Hook, but his take on Mario Mario will always hold a special place.