When reviewing a piece of media, one of the first things you should do is consider what the target is for the thing you are reviewing. In the case of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, I’m reviewing what is essentially a superhero film for children. So if you’re not a child in the five to eleven age range, you may still really enjoy this movie, but I’m specifically going to review it for the demographic its clearly targeting. Let’s get started…
The first third of the film plays a bit like Alf from the eighties. Sonic is an alien who is bored and cocky; he needs to learn empathy and as a result his personality can be grating. Up until Tails showed up, I was getting a little worried about this movie, although Jim Carrey’s performance is up there with his very best… so even if the opening wasn’t as strong as you might hope for, Dr. Robotnik reinvigorated the audience every time he appeared. And appear he does… often. There’s no holding back Carrey in this one, so if this truly is his final appearance in a film, he goes all out to end it.
The second act is more like an Indiana Jones race-the-bad-guys movie. There are parts of it that work and there are parts of it that do not. When Sonic is bonding either with the affectionately named Donut Lord or his new buddy Tails, that’s when this movie is at some of its strongest points. A particular scene in which Sonic and Tails get ready for bed is especially sweet. Still, it could use more of those points. Even with a two-hour run time, it feels a bit like there are too many pieces trying to get plugged into the same story. More Sonic and his two best buddies could have been a good decision in the script room.
By the time we reach the last forty minutes or so, the film switches to a children’s superhero movie, and it is 100% smooth sailing the whole way until the end. If you want to end on a high note, this movie certainly does it. Would I have liked to see Sonic’s big moment at the end play out a little longer with a little bit more action? Yes. But otherwise it’s a great finale for all the characters involved.
In my opinion, all the voice actors are great and Knuckles’ lines are some of the best in either the first movie or this one. Sonic, meanwhile, has some jokes that don’t quite land like they were probably intended. There are also some very unexpected moments in this film that seem out of left field — some bring a smile to your face while others land flat.
So is this a movie that you should go into thinking you’ll find a Moana, Wall-E, or the original Incredibles? No. Is it Shrek quality? Meh, probably not. But is it a very good children’s superhero film that your kids will love? Yes. The children in the theater left ecstatic, and that means mission accomplished. If Paramount will give future entries into this franchise a bit more polish and plenty of love, they really do have the coveted kids’ serial franchise that many studios have long wanted. Think of it like a kid’s intro to Marvel and that’s sort of where this thing could go.
Bonus Points, the movie has a good message for children and there are no events or lessons in here that are at all controversial. Being a hero means watching out for others, that’s a universal truth that kiddos in their formative years could definitely stand to hear. Good for Sonic to demonstrate it on the big screen.
Review: 7.0 (Good)
Have you seen Sonic the Hedgehog 2? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! And, as always, keep reading That Park Place for all the latest news, reviews, leaks, and more, that should be fun!
