Film Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Sonic doesn’t make a good Batman. I remember watching the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie and thinking the real-world atmosphere and city-destroying action scenes smelt like a superhero movie. What a weird direction to take  Sonic the Hedgehog…

Delightfully, the sequel explores the idea a little more before tearing it to the ground. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 actually feels like a video game movie this time. Specifically, Uncharted! It feels uncomfortable to write that, but trust me, it feels worse to watch it. There is a ghost in this movie and yes it felt more video-gamey than the first movie while this phantom graced the screen, but again, wrong game. So, after literal treasure is found in actual decrepit ruins, our favourite Eggman is back, along with the welcome introduction of Knuckles the Echidna, Tails the… fox (?), and HELICOPTERS!  When three fuzzy animals are running around at the speed of sound together, Sonic 2 remembers that it is indeed a Sonic movie and then the good times just keep rolling.

Apart from one downright hilarious cameo from Sanic in the beginning, the overall first half of the movie feels like it’s just puttering around wondering what a Sonic movie could be. The second half of the movie finds its feet, hits the ground running and only falls flat on its face a couple times from there. To have semi-grown up with Sonic games I knew the basics and felt like a novice as far as his freaky lore goes, luckily for me that’s all that was required. 

There were basic elements from the games, like Sonic being unable to swim, Eggman’s classic look and the Master Emerald which gave the movie a distinctly Sonic aroma this time around. I won’t spoil the best parts, but other recognisable bosses and maybe even an entire level from the games get their long-awaited big screen debut. I could imagine this movie disappointing many crowds: the hardcore lore-centric fans, people who loved the first one and didn’t want change, people who didn’t like the first one even least a little bit, etc. But I can assure you of two crowds that really enjoyed this movie: children (because Jim Carrey seemingly resurrected The Grinch in this performance), and me. 

I mean Sonic 2 is primarily a kids movie. It will remind you at every waking minute, with each corny pop culture reference. Eggman flossing was thoroughly unenjoyable. With references from the 80’s (yep you guessed it, a Ferris Bueller’s gag) mixed in with Fast and Furious 6 call outs, I walked out of the cinema confused. I stayed around for the post-credit scene, unlike the other guy, and judging from that scene, the director clearly wants a trilogy and I do too. Based on the fact there were only two people in a cinema that could fit over 100, I can only remain wildly optimistic.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is screening in cinemas across Australia from Thursday 31st March. For tickets and more info click here.