What’s It About
After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove that he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of a mystical 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.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
There was a time when video game-based movies were the worst things ever produced. Over the years, they’ve gotten better. So much so that major studios are investing millions on newer game titles but even more on those old ones hoping to cash in on that all too familiar feeling of nostalgia. That’s where this movie falls. It also doesn’t hurt that the first one was a hit with audiences, myself included. And when a film makes a ton of money, it’s a Hollywood guarantee a sequel WILL be made. If the sequel is a hit, they will continue until they’re not. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 expands on the story from the first film and adds more fun, more game references, more characters, and more Dr. Robotnik. Since the first movie told us everything about Sonic, this one focuses more on Robotnik’s revenge, Tails, Knuckles, and a quest by all for the legendary Master Emerald. Like its predecessor, there are tons of exposition for those who either didn’t play the game or were too young to know about it (Sonic the Hedgehog 1991). Even if you don’t care about the why who, and what of everything, it is still better than most of the crappy films that have appeared this year. Watching Dr. Robotnik do whatever it took to get whatever he wanted spoke volumes about his character regardless of how well you knew of him beforehand. Knuckles and Tails obsession with Sonic, albeit on opposite ends of the friendship spectrum, gave the movie most of its heartfelt, family-based teachable moments. Lastly, there are Sonics human parents (not sure how they were able to adopt him, but whatever), Tom and Maddie Wachowski. This was one of many side stories that culminated into one big happy, slightly forced coherent story by the end of the film. Overall, it seems like those movie producers finally know how to make a decent video game movie, and based on the happy crowd of movie-goers in the theater I attended, there WILL be a third film.
OUR RATING – A BLUE SPEEDSTER 8
MEDIA
- Genre – Family
- Street date
- Digital – May 24th, 2022
- DVD/Blu-Ray/4K – August 9th, 2022
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 2.39:1
- Sound – English: Dolby Atmos
- Subtitles – English SDH, Spanish, French
Extras
- Audio Commentary – Director Jeff Fowler and actor Ben Schwartz come back once again and have a fun and informative discussion on making the film, their love of the video game and characters, and some on-set stories.
- Animated Short (UHD, 6 Mins.) – The short is titled Sonic Drone Home and is a fun little short that follows the hedgehogs in a junkyard and has a 2001: A Space Odyssey vibe.
- Deleted Scenes (UHD, 18 Mins.) – There are 7 deleted sequences that were left on the cutting room floor, none of which added anything to the overall story arc or conflict. It’s a mix of finished animation and a work-in-progress cut.
- Bloopers (UHD, 4 Mins.) – A fun montage of missed cues, flubbed lines, laughter, dancing, and Jim Carrey making everyone crack up on set.
- Music Video (UHD, 3 Mins.) – Kid Cudi sings his song Stars in the Sky from the movie.
- Finding Your Team (UHD, 7 Mins.) – The cast and crew talk about coming back for the sequel, working with each other, and understanding Sonic as a character.
- The Powerful Puncher: Knuckles (UHD, 6 Mins.) – The new character of Knuckles is discussed with Idris Elba and co. talking about the new addition.
- Rapid Fire Responses with Ben Schwartz (UHD, 4 Mins.) – An extra where Ben chooses words related to Sonic and the movie that he enjoys.
- Robotnik Reimagined (UHD, 6 Mins.) – Jim Carrey and co. explore the villainous character and how Jim Carrey brings him to life in a variety of ways.
- A Sibling For Sonic: Tails (UHD, 5 Mins.) – The character of Tails is examined by the cast and crew here.