Back in '07, I surprised to see this doc on Youtube. I would never thought I would see a Making of on this movie. I also had no idea what a real nightmare the production was on this film. This doc doesn't cover the nightmarish production, it's just your average promotional doc where it explains how amazing everything is. This is a fun, fast paced doc. It makes it look like the actors had fun making the movie, even though they all had a miserable time and rather not talk about to this day.
There are two versions of this doc. There is the '93 VHS one and there's the edited version on the German DVD which is 17 mins long. That one has an interview with the costume designer and features scenes not included in the film such as one of the Brooklyn girls offering a Goomba a ciggie. It also doesn't feature the Roxette music video.
The directors and producers try to explain what would be a logical way to make a Mario movie and decided to feature dinosaurs in it. Which is a reference to Super Mario World.
We see concept art for Dinohatten and see that it was built in a cement factory. We also see how the Goombas were made and some VFX shots.
We don't have much input from the cast, this is due to the fact that they HATED working on this film, so we don't get the old "Oh so and so is great to work with because he allows you to do this and do that" behind the scenes nonsense. Although Samantha Mathis just says how "amazing" the set is, though.
However I loved Fiona Shaw's interview. She had fun hamming it up. Dennis Hopper only appears once in this doc. He says "I play King Koopa The Lizard King". And he goes away. Yeah. No big deal.
We get an interview with the Brooklyn girls all together and talking at once.
The biggest problem with the 25 minute version is that it features the scene where Mario is dancing with Bertha at the Boom Boom bar. It shows the whole scene and it just slows the doc down. Also, the Roxette music video wasn't needed.
If you liked this film, you'll like this doc.
I can't for the Second Sight Blu ray release which will include a new documentary. The Super Mario Bros Movie Archive website helped make the Blu ray. That site's amazing. Everything you want to know about the Mario movie is right there. We get interviews from the supporting cast and crew, and even Bob Hoskins' son Jack.
If you love this movie, check this site out.
