The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie was a delightful joyride; fun, colorful, and showcasing a brilliant cast, it set a new standard for quality video game adaptations. It has flaws, but is enjoyable, and the creators did a fantastic job portraying some of the best parts of the Sonic franchise. Considering that the artists completely re-designed Sonic by popular demand, there’s no denying that the film was created with respect for the fans.
The recent release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 followed a very similar suit. There were definitely parts of the movie that could have been changed or even cut altogether, but the whole thing was exactly what you would expect from a Sonic feature: over-the-top, silly, action-packed, and impossible not to smile at. Now that we know a third movie is already in the works, this is our chance to look at what direction the franchise should go in. Here’s our analysis of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, what the movies need to change and what they’re already doing right.
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8 Every Scene With the Gang Was Like Fireworks
Via: Sega Sammy Group
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the games or a newcomer, seeing any combination of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles together on-screen is magical. Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, and Idris Elba have fantastic chemistry, and watching their characters interact is too much fun. Everyone is just right: Sonic is a fun-loving kid with a wild streak; Tails is an intelligent, lovable techno-geek; and Knuckles is a wonderful bull-headed frenemy. Watching them join forces near the end calls back to those giddy feelings you first got with Sonic Heroes, and the baseball game at the end is a prime example of all the wholesomeness. The trio was definitely the best part of the entire film.
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7 …But The Human Characters Could Be Better
Fans of the Sonic franchise know that things tend to be a little over-the-top, often to a clichéd and even unlikeable degree. This is especially true for human characters, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is no exception — not everyone is unlikeable. In fact, Tom and Maddie have great chemistry with each other and with Sonic, and the way they refer to him as their kid is very endearing. That being said, many of the human characters felt like a bit much even compared to their alien CGI counterparts: Rachel’s intense personality is now more like a caricature of an angry woman, the patrons of the lonesome tavern in Siberia come off as stereotypical, and the G.U.N. agency’s incompetency feels very forced. The Sonic Team’s exploits would be even more impressive if the world around them was believable and posed a bigger challenge.
6 Robotnik Was Just As Entertaining As Ever
Paramount Pictures
Jim Carrey as Robotnik is one of the best casting choices in recent history. The way he attacks the role of a hyper-intelligent, deranged scientist is a treat for everyone in the audience. He’s kooky and witty, and wholeheartedly embraces the insanity of the Segaverse. It may be different from the original lore, but his seething hatred for Sonic makes sense within the context. His portrayal of Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 takes the crazy up about ten notches after his exile to the Mushroom Planet, but he peppers the performance with bits of sass and wit that ground his character just enough. He’s a total diva, a complete dork, and the coolest bad guy ever in one comprehensive package.
5 …But They Should Stick With Their Decision Not to Recast
When Carrey announced his plans to retire after Sonic the Hedgehog 2 wrapped up, the world shed a tear. As a result, producers Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher promised not to recast his character with anyone else. This choice is wise for multiple reasons: Carrey is a fan favorite, and recasting probably wouldn’t sit well with the franchise’s target audience. Also, Robotnik’s death will actually have some weight if he doesn’t pull an Eggman-Ex Machina and somehow miraculously survive being smashed by his own machine. Furthermore, his leave would give other villains a little more time in the spotlight. As long as the creators don’t change their minds, the saga is in great shape for even more interesting sequels.
4 The Continuity Was Surprisingly Good
Little things add up, and both Sonic movies got their P’s and Q’s in order. From foreshadowing the Master Emerald on Sonic’s map to Tail’s introduction in both films, all the intricate details come together and make sense. Sonic even named Tom ‘Donut Lord’ in his phone contacts, and Tom likewise uses the original Green Hill Zone theme as his ringtone. Plus, the way the movies use rings as a consistent theme is priceless.
3 …But the Wedding Got Too Much Screen Time
As stated earlier, the best parts of the sequel were the scenes that focused on Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Unfortunately, much of their screen time was diminished because the directors played too heavily into Rachel and Randall’s wedding. Rachel is mostly used as a hostile foil for Tom, and there just wasn’t enough time for viewers to invest in her relationship. Their love story was likely a way to make their characters more empathetic (given that they’re both tertiary antagonists), but the directors could have cut most of the wedding sequence and given us more of the Sonic Team instead.
2 Bringing Shadow in is an Amazing Choice
The mid-credits scene that introduced Project Shadow and gave us a glimpse of the namesake antihero was positively thrilling. Both Sonic movies are awesome, and there’s no doubt that Shadow will further enhance the series. There are already fan theories circulating the Internet on who should play him, and we couldn’t be more excited to see who joins the roster.
1 …But We Want to See Even More Canon Characters
Sega
The films should definitely keep introducing more canon characters. Sonic the Hedgehog is revered by fans everywhere, and everybody has their favorite — from prevalent characters like Amy Rose and the adorable Chaos to lesser-known players like Tikal and Fang the Sniper, there’s enough room for everyone to appear in the Segaverse.
