\n

Sonic the Hedgehog returns with a sequel that fixes some of the problems of the first movie. There\u2019s a better arc for the character, less annoying jokes, and more adventure elements. All that being said, it all amounts to a decent adventure for the kids.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sonic\u2019s New Goal<\/h2>\n

I did enjoy how Sonic (voiced again by Ben Schwartz) has a much more admirable goal. While trying to be a superhero, he ends up causing more property damage than one would prefer. There\u2019s some responsibility the character has to learn that is not just shoved under the rug this time around.<\/p>\n

It helps that Sonic\u2019s human best friend Tom (James Marsden) stresses this point to him. Sure, Tom going away for his sister-in-law\u2019s wedding may seem like a decent test for Sonic not to destroy the house. However, that\u2019s too easy a task for someone who can turn a home from Full House to Risky Business in mere seconds.<\/p>\n

Hunting Emeralds<\/h2>\n

The bigger quest for Sonic to prove his worth comes in the form of Tails (voiced by Colleen O\u2019Shaughnessey), a talking fox alien. Tails informs Sonic of a Chaos Emerald that holds ultimate power. To make nobody evil gets it, they need to find it first.<\/p>\n

Tails is mostly there to look cute and say how Sonic is cool, having apparently spied on him for some time. However, he\u2019s also present to be someone that Sonic needs to take care of this fox which could be in danger. Outside of that, Tails doesn\u2019t add much more than innocence to this story.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Enter Knuckles<\/h2>\n

The better CGI alien placed in this picture is the red echidna Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba). He seeks revenge on Sonic for being affiliated with a tribe that killed his family. He additionally seeks that aforementioned Emerald for all that ultimate power and what have you.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Also present is Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey) who works alongside Knuckles. Carrey still hams up this role with his over-the-top performance. Despite his energy, his bit wears thin after some time, especially when his many improv moments are far too tame.<\/p>\n

Knuckles also ends up being the funnier character for his fish-out-of-water bits. Sure, Sonic had this same format, but Knuckles and his misunderstandings of the world work far better. It helps that he has this stance as the straight man for his many amusing bits of trying to figure out phones and dessert.<\/p>\n

Run of the Mill Adventure<\/h2>\n

The quest for the Chaos Emerald isn\u2019t all that unique. A lot of adventure hallmarks are presented here without much surprise. There\u2019s a trip to a temple, a compass to find, an island to infiltrate, and a maze of predictable death traps to master.<\/p>\n

I kept hoping for either Sonic or Robotnik to provide some comical commentary on these routine scenes. Sadly, we\u2019re meant to treat these scenes as serious. They make jokes but not about these elaborate sequences seeming so familiar.<\/p>\n

It creates this off nature. Sure, Robotnik can casually mock the faceless alien soldiers with references to The Day The Earth Stood Still. But not even a mere Indiana Jones citation for the cliche boulder trap?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A Human Reaction<\/h2>\n

The best part of the film is the second act and it has the least to do with Sonic. Out of nowhere, a catfishing military operation succeeds in kidnapping Sonic. At this point, Tom\u2019s wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter) and her sister Rachel (Natasha Rothwell) take over the story for this act.<\/p>\n

This is a brilliant choice! Rothwell dominates the screen as she\u2019s bound by revenge for her wedding being ruined. She wins for the best laughs and action in this picture. Forget Sonic 3, give me a Rachel spin-off!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Routine Action<\/h2>\n

The third act, however, pretty much goes on autopilot. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles end up working together against Robotnik\u2019s big new robot. There\u2019s some comradery, chaos, and a hopeful end where it almost seems like Sonic won\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n

These scenes aren\u2019t particularly bad but they do feel very passive. The compositing at least looks nice and the designs of the aliens and robots are uniquely distinct. It would help if there were some genuine surprises instead of this climax feeling so obligatory.<\/p>\n

Products and References<\/h2>\n

The product placement isn\u2019t AS terrible this time around. I\u2019m not a big fan of the cocky general being referred to as The Olive Garden general but whatever. At least Sonic doesn\u2019t have to say Oreo by name when he grabs some from the grocery store.<\/p>\n

In terms of references to the games, there\u2019s far more of that this time around. You may notice Robotnik\u2019s base of operations is a coffee shop called Mean Bean. This is a reference to Doctor Robotnik\u2019s Mean Bean Machine game.<\/p>\n

Fans can probably go through the multiple of references in this film and practically make a drinking game out of it. As someone who grew up with the games, however, these citations did little. I smirked a bit but more out of trivial recognition than genuine amusement.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Conclusion: Sonic the Hedgehog 2<\/em><\/h2>\n

For as little as Sonic the Hedgehog 2<\/em> did for me, I can\u2019t fault it as being an okay adventure flick for kids. There\u2019s enough energy where even the cliche repeats of the genre still have life. There\u2019s plenty of action for kids who crave something more exciting out of their cinema experiences.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s even the obligatory mid-credit cameo for a future movie that made the audience erupt in thunderous cheers. Sure, they\u2019re cheering for another sequel of a video game franchise pushing merch, but that\u2019s the world we live in. Maybe there\u2019s enough thrills in this picture that future generations will be inspired to make something just as enticing with way more originality than Fortnite dances and Marvel movie references.<\/p>\n

Did you see <\/strong><\/em>Sonic the Hedgehog 2 <\/strong>in theaters? Was it better or worse than the first movie? How does it compare to other video game movies like <\/strong><\/em>Free Guy<\/strong>? Let us know in the comments below.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

The Review<\/h3>\n

\n Sonic the Hedgehog 2
\n <\/h2>\n

\n

\n

PROS<\/h3>\n

\n
• Decent character arc.<\/li>\n
• Idris Elba is a funny addition.<\/li>\n
• Plenty of energy.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
  \n

  CONS<\/h3>\n

  \n
  • Generic adventure tropes.<\/li>\n
  • Lukewarm humor.<\/li>\n
  • Too dependent on references.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

    
    \n
    Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Sonic the Hedgehog returns with a sequel that fixes some of the problems of the first movie. There\u2019s a better arc for the character, less annoying jokes, and more adventure elements. All that being said, it all amounts to a decent adventure for the kids. Sonic\u2019s New Goal I did enjoy how Sonic (voiced again […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13615,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cdn.bagogames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/08143248\/SonicandKnuckles.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews"],"yoast_head":"\n