REVIEW: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG treads familiar footing but with a fun nostalgic flavor


Sonic the Hedgehog is the rare video game movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously and serves up some formulaic premises but does so in a fun way that keeps you rooting for it.

Growing up as a young kid in the 90’s, video games were a way of life. Summers were spent either in donut shops sharpening up your skills at Street Fighter 2, or they were spent indoors playing your Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis system. If you had a Genesis, then you had a video game called Sonic the Hedgehog. SEGA’s answer to Nintendo’s Mario, Sonic was their mascot and chief herald of what the Genesis could do over the Nintendo. Mario bopped along hopping on Koopa heads, Sonic RAN through awesome graphics scenarios that made some SNES games look like nothing in comparison. There was even a level that was a giant pinball machine that moved and spun as Sonic spun through it, it seemed revolutionary at the time. But over the years, Sega’s fortunes changed to where to most gamers today he’s just a licensed side character in Nintendo’s Super Smash Brothers fighting game series. I first heard about this film a year ago when word came out about the bizarre character model changes made to Sonic that the filmmakers took to heart and after months of reworking the Sonic model, the film has come out with people not expecting much. So what is the verdict?

Shockingly, Sonic is a fun movie that works for the family as well as fans of the original game. The film starts with a young Sonic forced to flee his home and using his magic rings, ends up on Earth, where he develops affinities for pop culture. But Sonic (voiced by Parks and Recreations Ben Schwartz) is lonely and wants to connect and make friends with the people of the town of Green Hills, Montana where he lives. Foremost among them is Tom Wachowski (Westworld’s James Marsden), a cop who longs for better things and a life outside of Montana in San Francisco. One night, Sonic has an episode of loneliness that results in an electric discharge that knocks out power across the U.S.; drawing the attention of the government and of the scientific genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) who resolves to find what he thinks is the alien responsible. During his quest, Robotnik crosses paths with Tom and before you know it, Sonic and Tom are tied together and have to bond in order to help Sonic escape and find a new home.

It’s not a stretch to say that the plot of Sonic the Hedgehog is derivative. It is, 100%. The film could easily be Short Circuit, E.T., even Mac and Me, it even shares very similar plot points with Howard the Duck. But, like all those films, Sonic is fun. Schwartz could have easily made Sonic unlikeable, but he’s charismatic. There’s a lot of stupid material in here, including Sonic farting, but the film has enough fun taking you for a ride with good performances you’re willing to overlook it. Chief amongst them is Carrey as Robotnik. Carrey is fully invested in the role and plays him like a cross between Ace Ventura and his classic In Living Color character Fire Marshall Bill. The film is an epic example of why Jim Carrey lit the box office up in the 1990s as the highest-paid actor in the world and makes you want to rewatch The Mask or Batman Forever. The film never reaches the heights of Pokemon Detective Pikachu, but it does draw you in and uses nostalgia in fun ways, including Sonic’s attacks being just like the game or Robotnik’s similarity to the game, in terms of design and boss level throwbacks. If you have kids, this might be a good gateway into classic gaming.

Overall, Sonic is a lot more fun than you’d think it has any right being. It hits the right chord between original fare and nostalgia throwback and the post-credits stingers tease some interesting sequels and more fan service, so I’m on board. A fun popcorn film for the kid in all of us.