Sonic The Hedgehog 2 – Movie Review

Sonic the Hedgehog sequel delivers double the action, humor, and nostalgia.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a household name that generations have fallen in love with ever since his debut in 1991. After the first movie’s success, it was apparent that Paramount and SEGA had a goldmine in front of them. There was no secret that a sequel would be greenlit. Just before the release of this film, it was announced that a 3rd movie would be happening along with a Knuckles spin-off series.

Synopsis

After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands. The sequel stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, and Jim Carrey returning, alongside new additions Shemar Moore, with Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 shines as bright as an Emerald Stone. Once again, my inner 5 year old had a giant grin the entire movie. This Sonic sequel easily tops the first one, an origin story for Blue Justice and Rotobtnik. This film adds two more iconic characters, Tails and Knuckles, and the actors behind the voices were perfect. In addition, fans were excited to learn that Colleen O’Shaughnessey, the voice actor responsible for the two-tailed hero since 2014, was asked to make the jump to a motion picture. When it came to the anti-hero with muscles, fans campaigned that Knuckles be voiced by non-other than The Rock. Still, the studio chose Idris Elba, which was a brilliant choice to everyone’s surprise.

More characters means more fun!

With more prominent characters added, you would think this film would feel rushed and not allow the characters to shine. But to my surprise, everyone had their great moments and memorable scenes. Jim Carrey’s Robotnik is what makes this franchise amazing. His performance is taken to the next level as “Egghead” as he seeks to get his revenge on Sonic after being trapped on a mushroom planet. Ben Schwartz’s Sonic has the most fun in the sequel as he embodies the typical energetic pre-teen.

With so much non-stop action, you would think the visual would get sloppy, but this movie’s CGI and special effects are impressive. It is some of the best I have seen in any hybrid-style film. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles’ designs are super crisp and vibrant, and Robotnik’s arsenal and tech look polished and realistic. The Easter Eggs and callbacks to the video games are plentiful and super fun, including sounds and music from your favorite games. And if you thought the first one was fun, part 2 has great humor for all ages to enjoy from the entire cast!

Verdict

I give Sonic the Hedgehog 2 4.5 out of 5 stars. Adults and kids will be sucked into non-stop entertainment that delivers on all fronts. At just over 2 hours, it is an excellent follow-up to the original. Stay tuned to just one post-credit scene that will make the audience go crazy.

Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and Subscribe to our YouTube.