Sonic the Hedgehog 3

With the third entry in the franchise, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” released today, has it’s foundation. Kevin Sampson said in his review, “It’s full camp. It’s a genre buffet that focuses more on its vignettes than answering plot hole questions.” It just might be the most fun you’ll have in theaters with your family this holiday season!

Picking up on what transpired in “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” the film finds the new Wachowski family with Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba), and Tails (Colleen O’Shaugnessey), trying to be on vacation with Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter). After a hedgehog named Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves, breaks out from his fifty-year coma, that relaxation the family wants to get comes to an abrupt end. Team Sonic gets transported to Tokyo to try and bring Shadow under control, if at all possible.

The question is who released Shadow with what looks like Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) tech? Sampson said, “It’s quickly revealed that Ivo has been enjoying telenovelas and getting the Thor post Infinity War treatment (big gut).” In comes Gerald Robotnik, also played by Carrey, Ivo’s long-lost grandfather. From there, everyone is racing to stop a machine that will destroy Earth and Jim Carrey is having so much fun on screen.

The film continues to build out the video game realm, showing character’s skills and power ups. It also noticeably changes in genre in its dialogue, cinematography, and pacing throughout the film. The opening scene is filled with action, it changes into a kid friendly horror moment, a musical dance number, comedy, and drama. This may appear disorganized at first, but for anyone who played the game on Sega, who know that there were different levels with different styles of gameplay and music. These not-so-subtle change in cinematic genres confirms the film is self-aware. There is a joke about making a flash drive work after blowing on it, just like how everyone did with old school game cartridges.

Sampson noted, “Jim Carrey said that he came out of retirement for this film because he needed to pay bills. Hopefully he keeps overspending so we’ll see him future films because he’s so much fun to watch as both Ivo and Gerald Robotnik.” Each character is fully developed, but they work off of each other in comedic ways as only Carrey can do. Where the first two films were about making family, Keanu Reeves’ Shadow has anger to deal with when it comes to the family he lost. The franchise keeps revolving around family dynamics while adding more characters to this franchise.

Make sure you stick around for the mid and post credit scenes that show Robo Sonic and Amy. Sampson said, “This is by no means an Academy Award winning children’s film. It’s fun, nostalgic for those who played the game or watch/ed the shows.” This is a good time at the movies for all families.

Reeves killed it here. He was just awesome as Shadow. Also, Carrey is having the time of his life playing not one, but two Robotniks. If you want a film that will give you some laughs, enjoyability, and nostalgia reminiscing on the games, see this movie. There are a couple of musical motifs to Sonic Adventure and a couple of catchphrases. See this in the theaters, especially if you’re a Sonic fan. This needs to be seen by everyone.

Thank you for reading these reviews tonight. Stay tuned tomorrow for my review on the “Rio” sequel in “Disney Month 2024.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Earlier this morning, I finished watching “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” released in April. I didn’t go see it in the theaters, so I waited until it was released on Paramount+ and saw it while exercising. Now, I will let all of you know what I thought about it.

It’s crazy to think that the first Sonic movie was released before we went on lockdown due to the pandemic. Two years later, we’re still in a pandemic, but we are doing much better, and the sequel was released. Dorian Parks admitted in his review, “As a fan of the first Sonic, this movie took every element that I loved from the first film and multiplied it by 10. Outside of the film franchise, I’ve always been a big fan of the blue speedster, and I can easily say that this film truly felt like a love letter to all of Sonic’s history throughout the years.”

After settling in Green Hills and finding a home with Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter), Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is more confident in his powers and wants to prove he is capable of being a true hero. That comes when Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns with the help of Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba). The duo is searching for the Master Emerald, which can wipe out all mankind. Sonic is joined with Tails, voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey, and together they go on a mission around the planet to find the emerald before Robotnik and Knuckles get it first.

The original movie was more of a road trip with Sonic and Tom, and more of a way to set the foundation and the world before going even further. Parks said, “I thought the first film did a great job of setting up the perfect hero’s journey for Sonic to go through, and, by the end Sonic is ready to take on the world.” In the sequel, the story does an amazing job of developing Sonic as a character, and this is a good thing for Schwartz as he voices the character. You’re able to cheer for and empathize with Sonic because of the real emotions when he speaks.

In this film, Sonic isn’t alone anymore, he has his classic friend Tales who was teased at the end of the first movie. Tails was a great addition to the film. O’Shaughnessey is epic when bringing the two-tailed fox from the games and cartoons to the film. Audiences get to see the friendship between Tails and Sonic from the beginning and can see them grow as they go on their mission. On a sidenote, it’s also great to know O’Shaughnessey reprised the role after hearing the announcement, since she had voiced Tails in the games. It’s rare for a voice actor to be appreciated like she has, and she deserves it.

Tails isn’t the only one who joins the crew because we cannot forget about Knuckles. Parks said, “After watching the film, I completely understand why a Knuckles spin-off series was given the green light before the sequel even debuted.” Elba kills it as Knuckles. Usually when actors voice animated characters, it usually just sounds like a little heightened version of themselves. However, with Elba, he completely changes in the role. Parks said, “At certain points, you forget it’s him voicing the character and I mean that in the best of ways. The epic rivalry between Knuckles and Sonic brought some of the best moments of the film and I really enjoyed the fish-out-of-water story they told with Knuckles.” Despite Knuckles being a huge threat to Sonic, they do give him moments of humor and those moments work. Parks admitted, “I’d like to compare Knuckles to a more agile version of Drax who can adapt to earthly customs a lot quicker. There is so much lore around Knuckles and the echidnas as a whole, so I’m excited to see what they dive into for the series.”

This time around, Carrey is even more deranged as Dr. Robotnik. Viewers didn’t see Carrey start to look like Robotnik until the credit scene from the first movie, so seeing him go all out in the sequel was joyful. We rarely see Carrey do a sequel, so you can tell he loves the character and puts in everything. His faithful sidekick Agent Stone, played by Lee Majdoub, is back giving his all. The banter between Stone and Robotnik is just as funny as the first film and Majdoub is hilarious in the role. Parks admitted, “I’m glad Majdoub’s fan favorite character got an expanded role for this second movie.”

We also have Sonic’s extended family return. Park said, “One thing that I appreciate about the humans in this Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is how grounded they keep Sonic.” Tike Sumpter and James Marsden have great chemistry again as Tom and Maddie, and it was great to see how much they’ve grown to love Sonic. Parks noted, “There are some emotional moments with the Wachowski family that I think fans will surely love.” As always, Natasha Rothwell is hilarious as Rachel. She is the highlight when we see her performance in this sequel and she is given more to do, especially with the story arc about her wedding to Randall, played by Shemar Moore.

Director Jeff Fowler’s experience in visual effects work is completely shown in the cinematography of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.” There are so many set pieces that made this feel like a real action movie, and it was incredible to see. Parks criticized, “I would have never expected the Sonic film franchise to be so visually pleasing, especially with all of the amazing action sequences. When I was watching the film on the big screen, there were so many moments from beginning to end that put the biggest smile on my face. Seeing Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles all on the big screen was something I will never forget. I got goosebumps multiple times (especially during the third act).” Fowler understands the characters and knows how to highlight their abilities in great ways. Parks said, “If I’m being honest with myself, I would call it peak cinema.”

When adapting video game storylines, somethings studios seem to move away from some of the fantastical elements to make it more grounded for a general audience. With the Sonic franchise and with this movie in particular, Fowler fully depends on the roots of the video game and the movie is better for it. Parks said, “One could say it’s “fan service” but to me, it felt like the team behind these movies are fans of the game and wanted to make a movie they would enjoy themselves and that’s exactly what this film is.”

Parks continued, “Paramount has a hit on their hand with this franchise and I hope we get 10 more movies and a bunch of spin-offs.” This movie gave everything a Sonic fan could ask for and then some. Fans of the franchise and usual watchers alike will have a great time watching the sequel.

If you don’t feel comfortable going to the theaters, see this on Paramount+, if you have an account. I think this film is better than the first one and I really found myself enjoying this one more, especially with the addition of more familiar characters. If you have played the games or have not and are familiar with the game character, see this because it was really enjoyable.

Spoiler Alert: there is a mid-credit scene that sets up a third movie that will include Shadow the Hedgehog. I’m pumped for that.

Thank you for joining in on my review today. Tune in tomorrow for the continuation of “Pride Month.”

Sonic the Hedgehog

Friday night, I checked out the new “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie, which came out in February. I was skeptical about watching it because, if you read my reviews on video game adaptations, you know how I think about them. However, I heard some very good things about it, so I decided to check it out.

After the much needed makeover after the complaints about the character’s horrendous first look, “Sonic the Hedgehog” has overcome the first design complaints and was released in theaters in a surprisingly enjoyable adventure.

Now looking more like the original version, Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz, finds himself avoiding villains in the live-action adaptation of the Sega video game franchise.

Sameen Amer said in her review, “When his extraordinary powers of supersonic speed make him a target of power hungry bad guys, Sonic is sent to Earth where he must stay hidden and never stop running.” If they find him, he can use one of his magical rings to open a portal to another planet where he will continue to live in isolation.

Amer said, “But the loneliness is starting to take a toll on the friendless hedgehog.” He has a strong liking for local sheriff, Tom (James Marsden), and his nice veterinarian wife, Maddie (Tika Sumpter), from a distance, but can’t risk create communication with humans.

His anger over his dilemma makes him to accidentally cause an electricity power that causes a blackout all over town. Evil scientific genius Doctor Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey, is assigned to find out what happened. He suddenly discovers Sonic’s existence and is keen on capturing this friendly hedgehog.

Amer said, “Sonic then ends up joining forces with an initially reluctant Tom to reclaim the rings that he has lost in the ruckus and escape the mad scientist who is on his trail.”

The road trip that follows may not be a masterpiece but it is still really enjoyable. The humor normally works. Particularly children are possibly going to enjoy Sonic’s antics, and there’s enough likability to keep adults attention as well (Amer said, “even if they may otherwise find the tale simplistic and predictable”).

The protagonist is lovable. His human sidekick (played by a very charming Marsden) is pleasant. The energetic Carrey is entertaining in the comedic style that has made him famous.

Jeff Fowler and his team have done a really great job reworking a movie that primarily looked like it was going to be a disaster. Amer ended her review by saying, “Ultimately, Sonic the Hedgehog may not break any new ground and clearly won’t redefine cinema, but this family-friendly adventure will ensure that viewers have a good time and exit the screening with a smile on their faces.”

Honestly, this is a video game adaptation that I actually think will be liked by fans of the video game or regular moviegoers. Even though the plot is a little predictable and the look of Robotnik doesn’t look like the original character, I still think this will be liked by people. This is a funny, emotional movie and the mid-credits scene (spoilers) shows Tails looking for Sonic. If they are going to make a sequel, I’m excited to see what they will do next. Check it out and see for yourself.

Thank you for joining in on tonight’s review. Wait until next Friday for the next entry in “Anime Month.”