In 2008, Gears of War Creator coined the phrase “bigger, badder, and better” to describe the sequel to his earth-shattering milestone of a game. For me, that has been the definitive term to describe the sequels in all aspects of media. Following an overwhelmingly successful first installment, director Jeff Flower is back for Sonic The Hedgehog 2. For Sonic The Hedgehog, and the sequel Sonic The Hedgehog 2. I am pleased to say Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is bigger and filled with more kinetic energy and excitement than the first. Even in the sequel, the filmmakers seem to be running out of ideas as to what to do with the human characters.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 begins a short time after the events of the first film. Sonic has found himself a home among Earth and its inhabitants and attempts to don the life of a vigilante, traveling to different cities to right the wrongs. Of course, he is still regarded as a top government secret, under the protection of Tom and Maddie Wachowski. Tom tells Sonic he is still young, with much to learn, but his time will indeed come. Meanwhile, on the Mushroom Planet, Dr. Robotnik, stranded after the events of the first movie, has a found a means back to Earth, and he brings along an unexpected ally, Knuckles the Echidna. Just outside of Green Hill Wisconsin, another portal opens and a two-tailed Fox emerges. Tails arrives on Earth, and he searches for Sonic with the utmost importance.
Comparison
In comparison to the first film, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 gives filmgoers and Sonic fans more of what they want, while also pouring more energy, enthusiasm, and momentum than the first. The quest is larger, the stakes are higher, and the story is bigger. The story is no longer about being a fish out of the water and finding friends, but instead, what it means to be a hero, and what comes with that development. Sonic is still, in many ways, a teen, with a near-infinite amount of confidence, and his ambitions to make a difference are admirable. It’s a good theme with room to grow as The Blue Blur continues his adventure on the big screen.
From the run through a maze to the snowboard chase, there is an incredible array of energy on-screen, including an amazing final act that feels it was pulled right from the games. The movie has fun with itself too, and at times, nods to other movies, from Ghostbusters to a slow-motion high-speed scene clearly inspired by Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 does a lot with its run time, and I wish it did more.
Strengths
One of the strongest highlights of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails Miles Prower. Colleen has been voicing the character since 2014, being introduced in Sonic Boom. Her casting is immensely positive, not just for the movie, but for the larger industry. Tails comes off just as he would in the games and the show, making Colleen’s casting a perfect choice for Sonic The Hedgehog 2. She knows the character best, and how to project Tails in moments of calm and moments of danger. Tails is also with Sonic for the entire duration of the movie, truly giving Colleen and Tails a larger spot in the spotlight.
In terms of casting and performance, you really can’t get better with Colleen as Tails. Furthermore, it sets a bar that voice actors and actresses have more than earned their leap from the small screen to the big screen and absolutely should be written to reprise their roles in larger theatrical features. Normally, this isn’t the case, and such a mindset is cruel. Such was the case with 2020’s Scoob! Which recast several characters from their original voice actors in favor of celebrity casting. This move was met with sweeping disappointment from fans and audience goers, as well as a performance that was admirable and done well but didn’t feel genuine. That doesn’t happen with Sonic The Hedgehog 2, and there couldn’t have been a better choice.
Do You Know the Way
One of the biggest standout performances is Idris Elba providing the voice of Knuckles the Echidna. I was completely surprised at his casting, yet held ambition, given his commanding voice and physical prowess, and he successfully delivers an excellent performance. Each phrase is direct, poised, collected, and compelling. Idris works Knuckles incredibly.
Some may deliberately compare how Knuckles is similar to Drax from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but while there are similarities, Idris Elba and Knuckles are very much their own character. Knuckles is a warrior and even when he doesn’t know something, he faces it with steel-willed confidence. Every moment with Knuckles is fantastic and if this is only a small sample of what to expect with the Knuckles series coming to Paramount +; I simply cannot wait for that story to be told. You can easily tell Idris is just having a ton of fun in the role, and I hope he stays as Knuckles for the long term.
Returning Cast
The returning cast does a great job as well. Ben Schwartz returns to reprise his role as Sonic. He is as ambitious, jubilant, and witty as ever before, cutting to pop-culture references from time to time. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter return as Tom and Maddie Wachowski and provide a sort of vehicle for the audience to witness the courageousness of the events on-screen.
Of course, Jim Carrey delivers once again as Dr. Robotnik, providing that absurd 90s comedy he’s known for into a new plot for domination. With news of Jim potentially retiring or stepping back from acting, it’s my sincere hope he doesn’t. He is excellent in this role and I can easily imagine Robotnik being more fleshed out in future installments, maybe even being integral to various aspects of Sonic lore, from the Metal Virus to the creation of Metal Sonic to the time travel featured in Sonic CD.
Everything works well in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and when the movie focuses on the animated characters, as well as Robotnik, everything clicks. There are setbacks, however, and that is in its human characters. One of the subplots is a wedding in Hawaii and while this plot introduces important elements to the story, the movie dwells far too much time on it; at one point breaking the momentum. Granted, this scene did contain a solid amount of humor, it ultimately felt as if it wasn’t needed in the movie. It highlights a potential problem going forward, and that is how to write the human characters into the film, as well as give them more of what to do.
It can be argued that the point of a Sonic The Hedgehog movie is to focus on Sonic, which Sonic The Hedgehog 2 accomplishes, but if the human characters are set to be included in the film series, the story should be written and woven to gel better with the adventures of Sonic. The wedding arc isn’t bad or insufferable by any means. It’s fun, but kind of a jarring distraction to the overall sequence of events. In the first film, Tom and Maddie Wachowski worked with Sonic in the fish out of water story, as Sonic, an alien in an unknown land, is given refuge by the married couple, making their role integral to the plot.
Here, they are less integral, sidelined by the wedding sideline. There’s no telling what the future of the Sonic films holds though perhaps, given the events of the sequel, the humans may have a bigger, and more important part to play. I can envision the humans playing a bigger role fighting Robotnik in a Death Egg space station or creating something straight from Sonic Adventure.
Sonic Music
Additionally, Tom Holkenberg, more popularly known as Junkie XL, goes strong in his music delivery for Sonic The Hedgehog 2, especially In the film’s final act. Though, if there is a nit-pick to make, I would have loved to have heard his take on Ice Cap Zone levels from Sonic The Hedgehog 3, the third video game. That particular game had a spectacular snowboard sequence and the music was astounding. Junkie XL has a good, strong score, but I would like to hear more familiar quips from the games woven into his energetic style in future installments. If there’s a final nit-pick to make, it is my hope that, as the film franchise grows, more persons from Sonic media can be written into installments. I’m still hoping for Jameel White or Mike Pollock to star in future Sonic films.
Appeasing the Fans
Overall, Sonic The Hedgehog is a great example of how to do sequels right, how to adapt a video game, and treat it with care and respect that’s great for the fans and great for casual audiences. During the fan screening, everyone laughed, cheered, and clapped and just overall had a solid time with the movie. Of course, there is also that tease during the credits, which certainly took the breath away from many in attendance.
The second step in any film series is probably more risky and dangerous than the first. In the case of Sonic The Hedgehog, the first film is good but the sequel needed to deliver and it absolutely does. It’s energetic, fun, and constantly entertaining, with just the right amount of story to keep things cohesive. Seeing Colleen O’Shaughnessey reprise her role is exciting and Idris Elba as knuckles is wildly enjoyable.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is a movie made for everyone. For the fans, for the non-fans, and for those that probably have never before heard who Sonic The Hedgehog is. Where director Jeff Fowler and the crew go next is unclear. There is a near limitlessness potential to Sonic, from the comics to the games. With how I felt about Sonic The Hedgehog 2, I am convinced and onboard for what comes next. I even encourage Jeff and the crew to be bolder in the next installment. Perhaps one day, we will see Stardust Speedway on the big screen.
Leaving the Sonic Fan Event
As I left the theater smiling, I heard Kid Cudi’s theme for the song, Stars in the Sky, a really solid theme to Sonic The Hedgehog 2 . It had me thinking about Sonic and feeling proud of how far The Blue Blur has come from those 90s roots. Today, many generations will experience Sonic in theaters and many more will be introduced to the massive world for the very first time. They’ll discover and be reminded of how with that confidence and great speed comes the power of bringing out the best in oneself. there is a lot to take away from Sonic, and Sonic has been a classic mascot for decades, through the best and worst of times.
Enjoy Sonic The Hedgehog 2.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 was screened at AMC Monmouth mall in the Dolby Cinema theater in Eatontown, NJ as part of the Sonic The Hedgehog 2 fan event.
