The first Sonic the Hedgehog was a surprise hit of the pre-pandemic 2020. After fans had revolted at the terrifying design the filmmakers originally had for the lead character, and got a studio to turn around and give into the demands of the audience. The film did benefit from the better and more true to the character design.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 this time sees Dr Robotnik returns, but this time has back up in the form of Knuckles, an Echidna with the purpose of taking out Sonic, who teams up with new friend, Tails.
The first film was a lot of fun, children definetly enjoyed it and is one that people definetly would’ve checked out at home, if they didn’t manage to catch it before cinemas around the world shut. It’s an easy, non offensive film that all the family could enjoy a decent amount, although the younger you are the more you would enjoy it, which makes a change, it’s a gap in the market that no other franchise seems to making benefit of, and I think this one, more so than the first, feels that way, geared towards younger children.
Jim Carrey was a strong highlight of the first, having a lot of fun, doing a more comedic role for a change, since his more recent run of serious roles. It was refreshing to see him back. This time around, more of the same, but like the rest of the film, doesn’t quite land as much as it did in the first.
James Marsden has a lot less to do in this one and is relegated to the subplot of the film, with him and his fiance away for a wedding, before Sonic interupts.
I wouldn’t have chosen Idris Elba to play Knuckles, I couldn’t hear him in the role, his voice always felt too deep for me, and it took the course of the film for me to get used to it, especially in the more serious moments, however, the lighter moments was where I got it and his voice worked a lot more for me.
I like Ben Schwartz a lot, I’ve definetly got used to the voice now and think he is a great choice for this Sonic, especially when he can sneak in a Parks and Rec easter egg.
I don’t need to say much about Collen O’Shanussy, her voice for Tails is the voice from the games, it’s perfect, can’t argue with it.
After the VFX were such a big talking before the first one was even released (as I spoke about in the intro), the first one looked surprisingly good with how little time they had, and considering this time around they had a lot more time to do it in, I actually felt it didn’t look as consistently good. There were moments where it did, but sometimes the lighting was off and just made it look a bit too much like a video game, as well as some of the green screen moments around Dr Robotnik looking really bad.
Overall, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a fine sequel, children will certainly enjoy it, adults there’s enough there that you might enjoy, but will feel the extra 20 minutes. There is already a third installment greenlit and in the works, expect that in 2024, and we know where that story will be heading thanks to the mid-credit scene (my favourite part of the film).
What did you think of Sonic the Hedgehog 2?
Flooders Films 
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