In 1985, Nintendo released Super Mario Brothers in North America. Its flagship franchise took the then fledging video gaming industry by storm.

With 8-bit surreal landscapes populated with a brilliant blue sky, white clouds, verdant plants, cartoony adversaries, and the two plucky protagonists, Super Mario Brothers became synonymous with family-friendly electronic entertainment.

Fast forward to the present day, and the franchise has gotten an astonishing makeover.

Written and directed by Evan Daugherty, The Four Players reframes the backstories of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and her devoted courtier Toad in a series of four live-action, dark and gritty cinematic shorts.

While the concept may sound very dubious on paper, the execution is a brilliant success.

I attribute this accomplishment to:

the exceptionally smart script
gorgeous production designs by Holly Conrad and Jacob Thomsen
sensational cinematography
acknowledgement of iconic gameplay hallmarks in the form of clever easter eggs

In my opinion, the standout among these exceptional shorts is The Soldier, which looks like a forgotten Guillermo del Toro movie!

All four installments are available for viewing below.

The Fixer (Mario) One man decides he can't let things remain broken any longer:

THE FOUR PLAYERS is a bold new take on some familiar gaming icons. Here, THE FIXER decides he can't let things stay broken any longer. Written and Directed by Evan Daugherty Produced by Philip Schaeffer Executive Producer James Darling Starring Brian Gonzales as The Fixer Director of Photography Austin F.

The Addict (Luigi) receives a reminder of his past that forces him to rethink his present:

THE FOUR PLAYERS is a bold new take on some familiar gaming icons. Here, THE ADDICT receives a reminder from his past that forces him to rethink his present. Written and Directed by Evan Daugherty Produced by Philip Schaeffer Executive Producer James Darling Starring Jonathan Brooks as The Addict Director of Photography Austin F.

The Star (Princess Peach) contemplates happier times while suffering at the hands of her captors:

THE FOUR PLAYERS is a bold new take on some familiar gaming icons. Here, THE STAR contemplates happier times while suffering at the hands of her captors. Written and Directed by Evan Daugherty Produced by Philip Schaeffer Executive Producer James Darling Starring Cassie Shea Watson as The Star Director of Photography Austin F.

The Soldier (Toad) takes desperate action for the sake of his kingdom:

THE FOUR PLAYERS is a bold new take on some familiar gaming icons. Here, THE SOLDIER takes desperate action for the sake of his Kingdom. Written and Directed by Evan Daugherty Produced by Philip Schaeffer Executive Producer James Darling Starring Se Young Kang and Heather Sims as The Soldier Director of Photography Austin F.

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