3 out of 5 stars (average)
A good video game movie is as rare as a clear city highway at 5:00: Sure it might happen once in a blue moon, but for the most part, video game movies fail and you’re sitting in traffic for a long time. Thankfully, Sonic The Hedgehog confidently breaks that pattern, providing a fun, funny, and largely family-friendly romp that will entertain fans and casual viewers alike.
Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) is a blue alien hedgehog who can run at lightning speed. He’s spent the last decade hiding out in Green Hills, Montana and watching the life of traffic cop Tom (James Marsden) and his wife (Tika Sumpter). However, when Sonic accidentally causes a large-scale power outage, the US military calls upon egotistical supergenius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) to retrieve him. Luckily, Sonic has a bag of rings that can transport him anywhere, which he accidentally drops through a portal to San Francisco. Now pursued by Robotnik and his technology, Sonic enlists Tom to help him get to San Fran and escape Earth.
Sonic The Hedgehog was pushed back several months after Sonic’s initial design was met with worldwide hatred, but the design in the final film is both visually appealing and fits Schwartz’s voice like a glove. The creative team clearly loves this property, but knew how to adapt it for both longtime fans and newcomers. Schwartz’s voice is youthfully energetic without being annoying, and the human cast works perfectly off of the CG Sonic. There’s humor for all ages (some of which will fly right over kids’ heads), the action is well-choreographed, and the pacing is quick. The film has a shaky start and some hilariously blatant product placement, but strong performances and a solid balance of action, humor, and heart compensate for those missteps.
Sonic The Hedgehog is a weird, fun, and funny flick that should please fans and novices equally. Speed on over to your nearest theater and See Sonic The Hedgehog. There are 2 post-credits scenes setting up a potential follow-up.
Rated PG for Action, Some Violence, Mild Language, and Rude Humor