Warning: this review contains major spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Reader discretion is advised.
Video game movies have historically had it rough. While translating beloved titles from console to screen seems like an easy endeavor, a plethora of movies based upon them have come up short in returns. From poor acting to an over-reliance on CGI, video game movies have never seemed to strike a chord with audiences or critics. Enter 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, based on the long-running SEGA series of the same name. Sonic treated both fans and casual moviegoers alike to a chance to see the Blue Blur rush across the screen in what ended up being a phenomenal first impression. Starring the voice of Parks and Recreation‘s Ben Schwartz as the titular hedgehog and comedian Jim Carrey as the maniacal Dr. Robotnik, the film managed to break the record for highest-grossing opening weekend for a video game film – previously held by 2019’s Detective Pikachu – and made about $320 million in total. A sequel was greenlit soon after, and now that it’s been in theaters for a few weeks, it’s time to dive into Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Set about eight months after the original film, the film sees Sonic striving to use his powers for good while enjoying a rather peaceful home life with his adoptive parents Tom and Maddie Wachowski (played by James Marsden and Tika Sumpter respectively). However, Dr. Robotnik returns to Earth after having been stranded on the Mushroom Planet during the first film’s climax. He’s not alone, though, as Knuckles the Echidna (voiced by Idris Elba), a fierce tribal warrior, joins him in the search for the Master Emerald – a gem containing ultimate power – and to take down Sonic, someone his clan has been searching for years for. Sonic thankfully receives some help in the form of Miles “Tails” Prower (played by voice actress Colleen O’Shaughnessey), a two-tailed fox cub who idolizes the Blue Blur. It becomes a race against time as Sonic and Tails aim to find the Master Emerald before Robotnik can use it to exact his revenge on the world.
From the beginning, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 establishes itself as having a similar tone to the first movie. However, 2 is much more focused on Sonic and his friendship with Tails and his rivalries with Robotnik and Knuckles than his relationship with any of the human characters. This is where the movie shines the most as it portrays a very genuine friendship between Sonic and Tails, which steadily develops over the course of the film. Their fights with Robotnik and Knuckles are well choreographed and animated as well as having some charming dialogue in the moments between. Schwartz, O’Shaughnessey and Elba all provide stellar performances that bounce off each other and the human characters quite well.
Speaking of the human characters, while they don’t receive as much screen time here, they do still leave an impact on the film. Carrey provides an excellent performance and leans more into his earlier comedic roles for a much more deranged Dr. Robotnik; it can be legitimately chilling to see Robotnik threaten someone and follow through with it later on, whether they’re computer animated or not. Special mention goes to Tika Sumpter and Natasha Rothwell as sisters Maddie and Rachel. While their relationship was somewhat touched upon in the first film, they get an entire segment of the film to build it up, and it makes them feel more like a fleshed out part of this franchise’s canon. Though they do falter in some areas, especially with line delivery, it does strike a decent balance between both parts of the cast.
One particular highlight of the movie is undoubtedly the action sequences. The first film’s action was great but definitely needed a bit more visual appeal than just blue lightning bolts dancing across the screen every so often. This film, however, steps it up and provides a lot of over-the-top action more reminiscent of the source material. Thanks to the improved CGI overall, each fight scene feels fluid and never overstay their welcomes throughout the film’s two-hour runtime. These scenes are even more impressive as most of the sets seen in the film, from the fantastic to the mundane, are practical and allow the actors to really use their environment to their advantage.
Speaking of the CGI, the models and effects have been greatly improved since the previous film. Each of the main three anthropomorphic animal characters feels much more furry and fluffy than previously, and they all look distinct even during some of the flashier fights. Robotnik’s arsenal and lairs throughout the film reflect a much more modern, sleeker aesthetic in keeping with the first film. The new robot types feel right at home with the designs from the original and provide some intense imagery in some of the later scenes. There are a few issues with the CGI, especially during the scenes set in Siberia as white machinery blends into the snowy mountains where these scenes are set. Overall, it’s a minor nitpick that is ultimately overshadowed by some fantastic visual effects.
That said, the pacing can be a bit all over the place at times. The start of the film gets us into the action quite quickly before slowing things down seemingly momentarily. Where the film really struggles with pacing is in the buildup toward the eventual rematch between Sonic and Knuckles. New characters and concepts are introduced rather quickly and barely give the audience time to process them before introducing something else entirely. Despite a speedier pace definitely fitting a speedster, it comes to the film’s detriment during the third act. Everything that occurs within it, from Robotnik gaining the powers of the Master Emerald to Team Sonic fighting robots in the streets to the final showdown between Robotnik’s giant robot and Super Sonic, happens within about 20 minutes. Just because it’s faster doesn’t mean it’s necessarily better.
In short, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 provides a worthwhile sequel to an already strong basis. It builds upon the relationships introduced in the first film, provides some better action and laughs and ultimately feels like what a sequel should be. However, issues with pacing and some of the CGI not looking quite right still leave a sour taste in my mouth. This movie earns an 8/10 from me. Hopefully, Paramount’s plans for Sonic’s future in film can come to fruition and prove the video game movie curse can be broken.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is currently playing in theaters.
Photo credit / Paramount Pictures
