It’s no secret that video game movies are a hot topic right now. That is likely in part due to the hype built around Sonic, even before its release, during its long development period that was extended because of a massive reanimation period after fans’ outrage at the first trailer, but it has been an ongoing trend. Sonic the Hedgehog, however, is a better movie than most video game adaptations that came before it, but that’s not necessarily saying much.
Sonic the Hedgehog is based on Sega’s series of the same name starring a blue hedgehog named Sonic. Sonic runs fast and curls up into a destructive ball. The first game in the series was released on the Sega Genesis in 1991 and featured Sonic collecting rings as he made his way through levels to stop Dr. Robotnik (Doctor Eggman) from capturing animals. In later installments, as video games gained deeper stories, Sonic was joined by friends, like Tails and Amy, and enemies, like Shadow and Rouge.
Sonic offers its audience some fun Easter eggs, such as showing Sonic grow up in a world with the same geography as the first level of the 1991 game. That level is called Green Hills, which is the city where the film takes place. These Easter eggs are fun for older fans, but no knowledge of the hedgehog is required to enjoy this movie. In fact, I think this will likely shine brightest for children who have heard of Sonic and maybe seen one of the animated series on Netflix or a video on YouTube, but have never played a game for themselves. It’s fast and fun.
The film shows us the peaceful life Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) has found in a quiet town, protected by Sheriff Tom Wachowski (played by James Marsden, Cyclops of the original X-Men trilogy). He’s playful and high energy whether he is pranking a local man, testing his speed on the sheriff’s radar gun, or playing every baseball position at once. That peaceful life is disturbed when an outburst of Sonic’s mysterious power catches the attention of the nefarious, and government sponsored, Dr. Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey).
After a wacky incident involving a magical, ring-powered portal and a tranquilizer gun, Sheriff Wachowski agrees to help Sonic get to San Francisco to recover his treasured bag of rings. They start a bar fight, “borrow” a car, and sneak onto the top of a skyscraper, and Dr. Robotnik is right behind them at every turn. Along the way, the sheriff learns of Sonic’s desire to make a real friend, and Dr. Robotnik dives deeper into his role of a mad scientist.
Sonic talks a lot with goofy lines that can make you laugh but can sometimes get a bit annoying. While he and the sheriff do share some sweet moments, their relationship, and any deep, meaningful moments are where the film falls short. It doesn’t do any less than you’d expect from a movie made for a younger audience, but it doesn’t offer anything profound, just a good time.
Where the film truly shines is Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik. This is his return to form that any fan of his classics from the 90s, such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber shouldn’t miss. He is high energy, eccentric, and just fun. He’ll have you in stitches and wanting to revisit his other movies with his exaggerated physical expression and loud outbursts.
Think of your favorite movies you watched the most as a kid, maybe with friends or siblings. You loved it and watched it over and over. Then when you watched it for nostalgia when you were older, you realized it was not a great movie. One of mine was 2005’s Sky High. I think for many children, this will be a fantastic home movie that they watch far too many times and look back on fondly in 10 years. I think adults also have Jim Carrey and a nice easy viewing to enjoy. Sonic is fast and funny and has something for everyone.