Photo from @SonicMovie Twitter
After the first Sonic movie, fans were anticipating what would come next from the film adaptation of the classic video game. The film’s end left Eggman played by Jim Carrey, left alone on Mushroom Planet after trying to kill Sonic. The day is saved and everyone believes they have seen the last of Eggman. This film picks right back up with Eggman’s time on the Mushroom Planet as he encounters and befriends Knuckles, an old foe from Sonic’s past. Eggman unites with Knuckles and comes to earth in search of a mysterious power called Master Emerald. Sonic and his new friend Tails must defeat Knuckles and Eggman before they acquire ultimate power. All main actors and voice actors return in this sequel.
To start, there is a ton of references in this film to the Sonic video games. The director and producers truly are in tune with what the fans want in this movie. Every detail right down to the movie poster is perfect. The movie poster is a copy of the game cover of Sonic The Hedgehog 2. The references don’t feel forced and the subtle nods to some of the source material will leave fans of the games satisfied. With that being said, this movie is still just as great for those who are not familiar with the games as well. It does a fantastic job explaining and simplifying storylines so that everyone can follow along.
One of the biggest reasons this film rocked was also its blend of content for viewers both young and old. The film did have some cheesy moments that were there for the younger audience. Although, the cheesy moments exist they are not overbearing and do not make you feel like you don’t belong as a viewer. But, for every kid’s movie trope, they hit right back with adult jokes and references that only adults would understand. It’s a classic tactic that made Disney movies so popular back in the day.
The voice acting fit very well with the characters in this film. Idris Elba produces a stellar performance as the voice of Knuckles. He nails the character’s tough-guy attitude with a hint of softness once you get to know him. Colleen O’Shaughnessey nails the empathy and kindness that comes with Tails. She produces the second-best voice acting performance in the film behind Elba. Ben Schwartz’s portrayal of Sonic is as great as it was in the first movie which is no surprise to anyone who has seen it. Natasha Rothwell returns as Rachel and she does a fantastic job of stealing every scene she is in. Her combination of aggressiveness and overacting creates some truly hilarious scenes that had me laughing out loud. Although, for every great performance there were a few weak performances. Specifically, Tika Sumpter and Shemar Moore’s characters both sometimes felt forced and out of place. It was not entirely their fault, as the scripts for their characters at times felt pointless and cheesy.
As expected, the biggest highlight of the film was Jim Carrey. This is classic wacky Carrey at his best showing why he is one of the funniest actors of all time. He truly nails the psychotic Eggman to a tee. His wackiness and downright insanity produce hilarity every time he is on screen. If there is one reason you should see this film, it is to see what is one of Jim Carrey’s finest performances.
The story was not overly advanced or difficult to understand. There is an ancient power and everyone wants to control it. The power is enough to make the person who controls it immortal. So, good and evil clash for control of the power for their reasons. But, the post-credit scene did throw a wild curveball into the mix that you must stick around to check out. I will not say what happens towards the end of the film, or how the post-credit scene ties in. But, I will say it is a massive moment.
The CGI in this film was just as great as it was in the original, if not better. The visuals were much more demanding in fight scenes for this film, and they delivered perfectly.
This film is a must-see for anyone whether you are a fan of the Sonic games or not. The film is now out in theatres and is one hell of a time at the movies.
Rating: 8/10
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