Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (Movie) Review

I’ve always been a bit uneasy about film adaptations of video games. There haven’t been many great video game movies over the years, nor do they cover the games as in-depth as I would like them to, considering the condensed format of movies. There was a dud like Doom or the original Super Mario Bros. for every movie, such as Tomb Raider or Resident Evil. I went into the Sonic the Hedgehog movie series with some trepidation. Sonic is one of my all-time favorite video game franchises, and as one of the first games I ever played as a child, it holds a special place in my heart. The first movie in the series was a good setup, although not perfect, that filled me with hope that this universe could have some longevity in the film space. The second film sold me on that hope with a movie filled with references to the game, the introduction of some of the franchise’s most essential characters, comedy, and even some emotional moments.

Tails

The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie introduced audiences to Sonic and how he fits into Green Hills and the world around him, while the second movie delves deeper into the Sonic universe and caters more to fans of the series. There are numerous references to the early games in the franchise, and the addition of Miles “Tails” Prower and Knuckles the Echidna rounded out the world, making it feel much more connected to the source material. Colleen O’Shaughnessy reprises her role as Tails on the big screen and does a fantastic job. Colleen brings a sweetness to the character that I’m not so sure anyone else could have nailed quite as well. Tails is so likable and innocent that it’s hard not to enjoy the character every time he’s on-screen. His relationship with Sonic (voiced again by Ben Schwartz) is a significant plot point of the film and brings some excellent character development for the blue blur. These two go together just as well as they did playing through the first games in the early 90s.

Knuckles

Idris Elba plays the role of Knuckles, and he easily steals the show in this movie. Knuckles comes off as a solemn character who spews out some of the funniest lines in the film. He also manages to be one of the characters who evolves the most throughout the film. He is the exact opposite of Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik character, making their unlikely alliance much more enjoyable to watch unfold. Speaking of Jim Carrey, has there ever been a better role for this man? It feels like the role of Eggman/Robotnik was tailor-made for him, and he toes the line between losing his mind and calculated menace. Every hero needs a great villain, and Jim Carrey embodies every quirky thing about Dr. Robotnik.

Supporting Characters in the Shadows

While Robotnik and the main characters from the franchise shine, the other human characters in Sonic the Hedgehog stumble. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 struggles to balance the characters from the previous movie. This sees Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) traveling to Hawaii for Maddie’s sister Rachel’s (Natasha Rothwell) wedding. Tom and Maddie don’t get much screen time, but they show up for the crucial moments. Rachel ends up being comic relief more often than not. I’m glad Sonic’s adoptive parents weren’t omitted from this movie. Still, with so much focus on the video game characters, it felt like their time on screen was shoved in more than organically included in the story.

Running Long

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 does suffer a little bit from its length. This is a 2-hour movie, and while I wouldn’t mind a longer movie for more story elements, this film could have benefited from being 20 minutes shorter, which was about the length of its predecessor. The first half or so moved at a pretty quick pace and kept me very well-engaged. The second half started to drag on with some slower moments that weren’t necessary to the story. This movie did a great job of establishing the Sonic universe. Still, there could have been some cuts that would have created a more cohesive and concise experience, keeping audiences’ attention without the lull in the middle.

Final Thoughts

Even with the slow moments in the middle, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was another step in the right direction for this franchise. There’s a lot more Sonic lore included in this one, and fans of the game franchise will enjoy seeing pieces of their childhood come to life on-screen, just as I did. The characters from the Sonic universe come to life and interact just as you’d expect them to if you’ve experienced this franchise before, while the human characters become a bit of an afterthought. It may run longer than necessary, but this is a fun, action-packed adventure that both kids and adults can enjoy.