Chapter 1: The Challenge of the Hero's Journey

In the latest Super Mario Movie, a pivotal moment occurs when Princess Peach expresses her desire to evaluate Mario's abilities. She challenges him with a classic Mario-themed obstacle course, stating, "If you can complete this, then you can accompany me." Following her flawless demonstration, Mario stands in awe, questioning, "How am I supposed to do that?" as he assesses himself.

"With the power-up," Peach responds, referring to the mushroom, which has been established earlier in the film as something Mario despises. In a moment of determination, she literally forces the mushroom into his mouth, resulting in his growth in size, strength, and speed.

However, when Mario attempts the obstacle course, he fails almost immediately. This leads into a training montage of repeated attempts and failures, reminiscent of the journey seen in Disney's Hercules, encapsulating the essence of the 'Hero's Journey.'

Mario's repeated consumption of the mushroom, despite his dislike for it, is what sets him apart as a Hero. As previously discussed, a Hero is characterized by their willingness to attempt what others have failed at (he notices the skeletons in the dragon's lair) and also to persist in the face of their own failures. This distinctiveness is what differentiates the Hero from the Villain—the Villain seeks shortcuts, while the Hero embraces the journey and emerges stronger.

The accompanying soundtrack features Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out For A Hero," a song that resonates even more today than when it debuted in 1984. In a world with more options than ever, women often find themselves frustrated with the shortcomings of men. While women, like Peach at the start of the scene, are thriving, men frequently fall short of heroic ideals. As Philip Zimbardo observes in Man Disconnected, "Girls are now outperforming boys at every level, from primary school to university."

What accounts for this discrepancy?

Perhaps women have evolved to be more civil, often requiring men to be nudged into action—much like the disparity illustrated in Beauty and the Beast. This is why Peach excels in the obstacle course; she is a product of her environment. In contrast, Mario needs Peach's encouragement to confirm his potential as a Hero.

Zimbardo also posits that the dwindling quality of men may stem from a decrease in women's selectivity. One 27-year-old man interviewed remarked, "Men are as good as their women require them to be," raising questions about how easy access to sex affects men's ambitions. Could this easy access lead to a mindset where men believe that minimal effort is sufficient for achieving other life goals? Our ambitions might be influenced by evolutionary instincts, with many endeavors being part of an intricate mating ritual. In earlier times, the reward—a sexual partner—was earned through hard work or thoughtful planning. Nowadays, that reward can often be obtained with little to no effort, akin to indulging in dessert before dinner.

If Peach were to accept Mario without testing him or allow him to give up after his initial attempt, the concept of the Hero and the Journey would cease to exist. Similarly, Bonnie Tyler embodies the notion of selective expectations, as she is resolutely "holding out for a hero."

The first video showcases an extended preview of the Super Mario Movie, highlighting Princess Peach's confidence and determination as she challenges Mario to prove himself.

Chapter 2: The Quest for Heroic Ideals

The second video features Bowser's official music video, "Peaches," which captures the interplay of desire and expectation in the quest for heroism.

In conclusion, the juxtaposition of Mario and Peach in the Super Mario Movie offers a lens through which we can examine the evolving definitions of heroism and the challenges posed by contemporary gender dynamics.