Sonic the Hedgehog 2

• Directed by Jeff Fowler
• March 30, 2022 (International) / April 5, 2022 (Regency Village Theatre) / April 7, 2022 (Argentina/Brazil/México) / April 8, 2022 (US)
• Based on the video game series published by Sega

Doctor Robotnik returns and now Sonic must protect not only the town of Green Hills but the entire Earth from the evil doctor and his new ally Knuckles as they all search for the green Master Emerald.

Sonic the Hedgehog as well as this sequel are among the few video game movies that actually work. What we get is not a one-to-one translation but elements of the game transposed rather effectively to the screen with only minor extras added. They get as close as they can .

The cast from the first film returns and slip effortless slip back into their parts. Jim Carrey absolutely kills it as Robotnik. He is gleefully unhinged, and his character often borders on absurd. Comedic evil that still feels like a threat is difficult pull off in any movie and Carrey does that so well here. His character generates plenty of laughs but also feels like he could actually achieve victory. If the villain cannot possibly win even though you know they will not then the story falls apart.

A special stand out of this is Rachel (Natasha Rothwell), Maddie’s (Tika Sumpter) older sister, who still absolutely despises Maddie’s husband Tom (James Marsden). That dynamic produces some of the best jokes of the movie outside of Robotnik. Her arc involves a marriage in Hawaii to Randall (Shemar Moore) which obviously does not go as planned. And she is one of the funniest Bridezillas to ever grace the screen.

Idris Elba takes on the part of Knuckles who starts the movie out as a villain until he gets screwed by Robotnik. Honestly though he sounds a bit like the actor Keith David and the producers could have saved a few bucks by getting him instead. He’s just as good as Elba but doesn’t carry the same name recognition.

Added to the mix as well is Miles “Tails” Prower (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) who is a yellow-orange fox dealing with the memories being shunned by his village for his two tails. He adds little to the story other than offering a warning to Sonic. I applaud them with not casting a big celebrity in a voice acting role.

The themes of family and togetherness populate this movie’s story. Sonic has to come to terms that Tom and Maddie are essentially his new parents. He must help Knuckles and Tails find their knew family as well. Dominic Toretto might need a story credit here.

Literally this looks amazing and it’s a nice balance between CGI and the real thing. You are not overwhelmed with CGI to the point you are taken totally out of it. There is just enough to involve you in the story. It enhances and tells the story without becoming the focus.

The jokes are rather funny. Even laugh out loud. Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) as well as Commander Walters (Tom Butler) are still delightfully off kilter. The jokes occur because of the situation or the characters and are not necessarily at their expense. They are not stupid but rather just unaware. It is similar angle as was taken by ZAZ in Airplane! or the Naked Gun films.

The story builds to a great and epic climax with all hands that can joining in. It affects the whole universe but has greater impact on the lives of the individual characters than it does anything else. That is real impact.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is funny and exciting and full of laughs. With musical nods to the games and a funny story that embraces the absurdity, you will enjoy yourself from start to finish. I highly recommend this!