In the new Super Mario Bros. movie, Jack Black sings the song “Peaches” as Bowser. Many celebrate the song, but some express severe criticism.
The new Super Mario adaptation is just conquering the cinemas. The remake of the video game classic with Jack Black in the role of the villain Bowser has been running since April 5, 2023.
But a song that is currently being celebrated by many fans is receiving sharp criticism from some people: behind it is toxic behavior that is being normalized.
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“Peaches” normalizes sexist behavior, some say
The song that’s sparking debate right now is “Peaches.” It is sung by Jack Black aka Bowser in the film. In it, the villain raves about Peach and expresses his love for the princess in the ballad.
The song has been hugely popular among fans and could even be submitted to the Academy Awards for Best Original Song, Universal has confirmed to gaming website Variety.
Check out the official music video for “Peaches” here:
However, as the Spanish media site 3Djuegos reports, there are some Spanish posts on social media criticizing the song as sexist.
What is the problem? The criticism comes as Bowser compulsively tries to marry Peach and won’t take a “no” from her.
Instead, he wants to continue having his way and ultimately “make her his,” as the song says.
This normalizes toxic macho behavior, in which rejection and the woman’s lack of interest are not accepted. Some people can’t understand how one can sympathize with the character Bowser at the moment when he doesn’t recognize the woman’s limitations.
Peaches is only kidnapped and worshiped – not allowed to speak
Looking at Bowser and Peach’s relationship in general, both in the games and now in the remake, has always revealed the villain’s obsession with the princess. The song in the new film expresses those same feelings of Bowser that have always been present in the Super Mario universe.
Bowser’s obsession with PEaches created the main conflict of the Super Mario games in the first place: Princess Peach is kidnapped by Bowser and the player, as the main character Mario, has to free her again. There is no denying that this is toxic behavior.
The song portrays this obsession from Bowser’s point of view as “the only true love”, the object of desire, Princess Peach, is only kidnapped and worshiped, she does not play an active role.
That’s not the only discussion the film sparked on the internet. Even before the release, the cast of the main character was criticized: why the internet hates the idea that Chris Pratt is now voicing Mario