In the new Super Mario Bros. movie, Jack Black sings as Bowser the song “Peaches”. Many celebrate the song, but some express fierce criticism.
The new Super Mario adaptation is currently taking over cinemas. Since April 5, 2023, the remake of the video game classic is running with Jack Black in the role of the villain Bowser.
However, a song that is being celebrated by many fans is receiving sharp criticism from some people: It is said to promote toxic behavior, which is being normalized.
“Peaches” normalizes sexist behavior, some say
The song that is currently causing discussions is “Peaches”. It is sung by Jack Black aka Bowser in the movie. In it, the villain raves about Peach and expresses his love for the princess in the ballad.
The song is very popular among fans and could even be submitted for Best Original Song at the Oscars, as Universal confirmed to the gaming website Variety.
Here you can see the official music video for “Peaches”:
As the Spanish media site 3Djuegos reports, there are some Spanish posts on social networks criticizing the song as sexist.
What is the problem? The criticism arises from Bowser’s obsessive attempt to marry Peach, not accepting a “no” from her.
Instead, he wants to continue to impose his will and, in the end, “make her his,” as the song says.
This normalizes toxic macho behavior that does not accept a woman’s rejection and disinterest. Some therefore cannot understand how one could sympathize with the character Bowser at that moment while he does not respect the woman’s boundaries.
Peaches is only kidnapped and worshiped – cannot speak up
Looking generally at the relationship between Bowser and Peach, both in the games and now in the remake, there has always been an obsession of the villain towards the princess. The song in the new film expresses these feelings of Bowser that have always been present in the Super Mario universe.
Through Bowser’s obsession with Peach, the main conflict of the Super Mario games was created: Princess Peach is kidnapped by Bowser, and the player has to free her as the main character Mario. It is hardly debatable that this is toxic behavior.
The song presents this obsession from Bowser’s perspective as “true love”; the object of desire, Princess Peach, is only kidnapped and worshiped, playing no active role.
This is not the only discussion the film sparked on the internet. Even before the release, the casting of the main character was criticized: Why the internet hates the idea that Chris Pratt is now voicing Mario
