The Reel Review
The popular video game character is back in this family-oriented live action/animation comedy. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter return as the couple taking care of Sonic (voiced by Parks and Recreation’s Ben Schwartz) with Jim Carrey reprising his role of the villain Dr. Robotnik, and Idris Elba voicing Robotnik’s new villainous buddy, Knuckles.
As predicted in our review of the original 2020 film, this inevitable sequel is heavy on hidden Easter eggs for its adoring fans, solid visual effects and well-done incorporation of live action and animation. But director Jeff Fowler’s similarities from his original film stop there. The clever dialogue of the original is missing in this bland, predictable, paint-by-numbers follow-up.
From Carrey’s cartoonish preening, to the goofy slapstick humor, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is geared towards young kids with ages in the single digits, and to that effort, the film is fine enough, with its message about kindness and friendship. There just isn’t much to keep adults from falling asleep in the theater.
REEL FACTS
• Idris Elba, an avid gamer, edged out Dwayne Johnson and John Cena for the role of Knuckles after Jason Momoa declined the role due to a schedule conflict. Momoa is being considered for a role in the next sequel.
• Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Tails) is the only voice cast member from the Sonic the Hedgehog video games to reprise her role for the films.
• Super Sonic makes his debut in this. The supercharged version of Sonic is usually a reward for players who collect all seven Chaos Emeralds.
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