By: 1079Life
Sonic The Hedgehog is one of video gaming’s most defining characters. He has impressed the world with not 1 but 31 video game titles since 1991 and now has his second feature film under his belt with Sonic The Hedgehog 2.
In the film, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) has grown to become an adopted member of the Wachowski family, with Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter). That is until an explosive entrance reveals the return of the evil Dr Robotnic (Jim Carey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) the warrior echidna.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a delightfully goofy flick; with Schwartz energetic performance as the speedy echidna bringing just as much fun levity as he did in the first film. A great deal of this films strength comes from allowing Jim Carry to have fun in the role as Dr Robotnik in all his nutty villainy. Despite this, the film also doesn’t give Carry much room to be as memorable as he was in the first film, with no overtly stand out moments. Still, after hearing of Jim Carry’s recent announcement of retirement from acting it is hard to see how a sequel could ever hope to reach the heights of the first two without him.
A real stand out of the film was Idris Elba’s Knuckles; simple minded and literal warrior spirit portrayal. Elba’s comedic timing really stood out in several key scenes and the actor was really able to sell the character naivety and formidable fortitude. Knuckles was an endearing presence and the greatest new edition.
The weakest aspect of the film is easily the human characters, aside from Jim Carrey’s Dr Robotnik of course. James Marsden’s Tom is as likeable as he was in the first film and Tika Sumpter’s Maddie was similarly fun but the whole wedding subplot felt very tacked on. Which is a shame because the human elements of the first film did work a little better in the first film. A small but fun human scene involved Agent stone (Lee Majdoub) who you may remember as Dr Robotnik’s coffee maker side kick. He has an amusing side plot involving a coffee shop and his life post Robotnik, after his apparent demise in the first film and it is one of the more fun side stories of the film.
Aside from the opening I haven’t mentioned much about the films plot and that’s because there is much to tell. It’s a simple adventure story to find the Magoffin. The film is a old fashioned heartfelt and morally enriching film for the whole family. Honestly it feels like the type of film we don’t get as much of these days and the level of pop culture references and consistent fun thrills will keep both younger and older audiences entertained throughout.
I’d give Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – 3.5 Gold Rings out of 5
Parental Advisory: Sonic 2 is rated PG
It contains Mild Impact Themes, Violence & Language
Article supplied with thanks to 1079life.
Feature image: Movie poster