Sonic within the past year has been catching attention because of the initial look fans received during the first trailer. After a social media outcry to fix the design of Sonic, Paramount decided to delay the film to allow the VFX artists to redesign the look. Let’s just say…thank you, Paramount.
The video game films have always had difficulty catching that spark to springboard a franchise of that particular character. Warner Bros. Detective Pikachu was supposed to be the spark but it did alright in the box office. Will Sonic The Hedgehog break the video game curse?
Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) is a lone hedgehog raised by Longclaw, an old and wise owl. He has a gift that allows him to have the ability to move at an incredible speed. However, he was warned to never be discovered, but of course, when you’re super fast that is easier said than done. Forced to hide by masked attackers, Sonic is then teleported to Earth with the help of magical rings; these rings are basically teleportation devices.
On earth, Sonic makes a home for himself in a small town. That is until Sonic misuses his powers and draws attention to himself. He then seeks help from Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), a police officer that Sonic slowly grows a bond with. Together they must protect Sonic from the dangerous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who is determined to have Sonic’s power.
Sonic the Hedgehog could have instead followed the traditional story of Sonic in the games and in the animated series. In the series and video games, Sonic must stop the mad scientist Eggman a.k.a. Robotnik from obtaining a source of power for a dangerous, world-bending plan. The games and animated series established a traditional “good vs bad” formula and adjusted it from adaptation to adaptation. In this movie instead, Sonic is a lonely creature in need of companionship and is just now being introduced to Robotnik; which could leave this film being the beginning of multiple films in this franchise.
That being said, major props to the VFX team that had to work more hours to make Sonic come to life. Sonic is a well-designed character if you have seen the recent trailers, and watching him believably interact with his surroundings works very well to the big screen. The effects of him using his special abilities show off in great fashion and leave adults and children amazed at how far special effects have come.
This family-friendly adventure story about a blue hedgehog who loves chili dogs gives this film a fun and positive vibes when leaving the theater. Ben Schwartz does an excellent job with the voice, and James Marsden and Jim Carrey are total team players, and Carrey went above and beyond and embraced the wacky and insane Robotnik. If you’re searching for a film that all age groups can enjoy, check out Sonic The Hedgehog. It has the heart, humor, and wacky adventures that will leave you feeling that it was money well-spent.
Rate: 3.5/5
Just a guy that grew up on DC and the MCU, anime, and video games and loves traveling across the world and learn about different cultures.
