Paramount Pictures presents Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in UK cinemas on April 1, 2022.
Synopsis
The world’s favourite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in Sonic The Hedgehog 2. 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 for 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.
Review
Video game adaptations are a curious thing, aren’t they? It’s not very often that a live-action adaptation ticks all of the boxes. Condensing a 50-70 hour experience into just 2 hours is a challenge in itself, and it’s very rare to see an adaptation balance everything perfectly while also enticing new audiences. There have been some famously bad video game adaptations, but Sonic truly felt like a course correction. A step in the right direction. So when a sequel was announced, therebwas excitement in the air… You could feel it, from both nostalgic adults and new comers. The world of Sonic is full of weird and wonderful oddities, but we are so glad to see it all on the big screen and we can unapologetically say that we were absolutely buzzing for Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
We has the absolute pleasure of watching Sonic 2 with a bunch of fans yesterday. But, as usual, we were sworn to secrecy. All of these thoughts have been bubbling and forming ever since the credits stopped rolling. What can we say about Sonic The Hedgehog 2? Well, it definitely lived up to the hype. That’s a certainty. However, more surprisingly… It’s among the very few sequels that are actually better than their predecessor. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 does everything that the first film did but bigger and better. It played to its strengths and it paid off.
It’s always fun trying to review a film that has been primarily targeted towards kids. At its core, Sonic 2 is a film for kids so it comes with a lot of the elements that could potentially alienate older watchers; Corny dance numbers, flossing, and a few jokes that miss the mark, just to name a few. Having said that though, Sonic 2 does a fantastic job at catering towards all age groups. There are some surprisingly hilarious gags and jokes that are definitely aimed at the adults. So there’s this really nice balance that runs throughout the film. Of course, this film’s primary audience will be the kids but that doesn’t mean that it completely excludes another section of the fanbase- the fans that grew up playing Sonic when it was merely a chaotic and addictive playformer.
It was genuinely surprising how many times we laughed out loud and it mostly came down to the chemistry shared between Sonic, Knuckles and Eggman. They are brilliant together. When it’s just Eggman and Knuckles, it’s this hysterical juxtaposition between superior intelligence and enraging naivety. When Sonic joins the party, there’s a shift. Electricity fills the scene and there is non stop banter between the trio, and it’s that antagonistic relationship that further enforces the absolute brilliance of Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, and Idris Elba.
The best thing about Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is the actual size of the film. We get to speed through new environments and really get into this lore that surrounds Sonic and his powers. As expected, there are some moments specifically designed for those die hard fans and while we would define ourself as a “lowkey” Sonic fan, you could instantly feel how exciting and important certain moments were. Whether it was Sonic unleashing his powers, Knuckles being Knuckles, or a brief reference to a popular meme, there was so much to get excited about.
Really, the only thing that let it down were some of the visuals. Overall, the film itself looked great and there were some wildly impressive sequences. However, there were also a few moments where the quality somewhat dipped. It wasn’t massively noticable and I think most of it was disguised by how brilliant the CG characters looked. Whenever Knuckles, Sonic, and Tails entered the scene everything else vanished. Nothing mattered but them, and they dominated.
Knuckles had this chilling presence to begin with which slowly began to crumble as you realised that maybe he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Tails was an endearing and uplifting addition to the team and it was brilliant to see him in action with his fluffy tails and ingenious gadgets. Then of course, you have Sonic who hasn’t really changed but the forces that threaten his new home makes him realise what it takes to be a hero and that maybe he isn’t quite ready. Compared to the first movie, Sonic takes some big steps forward in those unnaturally large shoes.
Verdict
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is Sonic at his best (and fastest.) With hilarious jokes, brilliant teases, and even bigger stakes, this sequel easily surpasses the first movie. The future is bright for the Blue Justice (trademark still pending), and we can’t wait to see what awaits Sonic and his friends. You may want to stick around for the credits…
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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