By Thomas Schwarzel
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is a sequel to the original film, Produced by Sega and Paramount. The film stars Sonic and friends after the events of the original movie. To recap the original film, Sonic is a dimensional traveler gifted with speed, he finds his way to Earth in his travels, and his ability eventually gets him found out by the government, and Dr. Robotnik is put on the case. While trying to leave, Sonic loses his rings, his method of dimensional travel, and is now stuck on Earth; Sonic gets the help of Tom Wachowski, the local Sheriff, to help him recover his rings.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 begins where the last one ends, Robotnik makes his way back to Earth through the help of Knuckles the Echidna. Both of them holding a grudge against Sonic, they go to hunt him down. Tails, who has been watching him since the first film, comes to save him from the two. From there, our heroes find out that Knuckles and Robotnik are after the Master Emerald, an artifact with unlimited power, and the race around the world for it begins.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 has many of the original characters reprising their roles, as well as featuring Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Miles “Tails” Prower. O’Shaughnessey was already established as Tails in the video game series and she fits him really well, as she does in the rest of the series. Elba should also get a gold ring for his performance of Knuckles, he fits the role extremely well, and his chemistry with Robotnik is truly amazing. I would also like to spotlight Jim Carrey for his performance of Robotnik. I would have loved to have seen him play the character in the video games as well. He was a major highlight, and the energy he brings to the film is necessary.
The cinematography of the film is fine, some shots look cool, but they aren’t the most innovative. However, the models of Tails and knuckles are a cut above sonic in my opinion. Especially Tails; he looked exactly like I expected in the best way possible. The characters look nice in motion as well, despite what I expected. The shooting locations are nice as well, but the race around the world was shorter than expected so the shot variety implied by the premise of a race around the world.
The film is a loose adaptation of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and 3. As a loose adaptation, it shares a lot of the same themes that the videogames had; the exploitation of trust for power, and the actual value of true friendship. The movie contrasted the friendship between Sonic and Tails; with the relationship between Robotnik and Knuckles to drive these points home.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 exists for those who liked the original, it doubled down on the best elements of the original, while building off of what came before. It does what it does well, and it doesn’t care to conform to any other standard, and that is for the best.
