I can understand enjoying it as an adaptation of a game franchise that manages to capture the sense of fun and all the references.
However, as a film it is absolutely poor. The narrative is bare bones, characters are pretty flat and the only one that has any kind of emotional development is - weirdly - DK. Even Mario doesn't have one because he starts the film acrobatic, heroic and caring for others. All that changes is his location and the fact that gives him powers.
It's not like I expected some kind of narrative masterclass, but the film absolutely deserves criticism as a film. I think it's why critics were divided because if you're critiquing it as a film (as opposed to a much enjoyed game franchise) it doesn't hold up. Even with the common misguided write off that it's "for kids" (as if they can't appreciate a good narrative).