Sonic The Hedgehog

Sonic The Hedgehog – Sonic has the unique power to move unbelievably fast. Forced to flee his home world through a magical portal created by a golden ring, he hides on Earth so that his power cannot be exploited by others. When Sonic accidentally creates a massive electromagnetic blast and knocks out power across the Pacific Northwest, he must team up with small time cop Tom to avoid capture from eccentric genius, Dr. Robotnik. The two take a road trip to recover more of the magical teleportation rings, but will Sonic’s superspeed be enough to save him?

Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) – Director: Jeff Fowler

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60638860

Rating: PG

Running Length: 99 minutes

Starring: Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter

Genre: Comedy, Action

REVIEW: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

SEGAs iconic mascot has suffered the law of diminishing returns since his late early to mid 90s heyday. Whilst the games may no longer be the childhood defining touchpoint they once were, there is still plenty of personality in that supersonic spiny mammal (unlike one blank canvas Italian plumber who shall go unnamed). Most video game movies suffer from not being able transpose the core appeal of the game to the big screen but since the core appeal of Sonic is, and has always been, ‘go extremely fast’, this movie thankfully gets it right.

Sonic has fled to Earth using magical golden transportation rings. Bunkered down in the small town Green Hills he stays hidden so as to avoid attention to his amazing speed abilities, but watching humanity pass him by makes him realise how lonely he is. Enter Tom (James Marsden), a cop with dreams of doing more than just directing traffic but finds his world turned upside down when he accidentally shoots Sonic with a tranquilizer dart just as super genius (and super meanie) Dr. Robotnik turns up searching for him.

The bare bones plot could have been the downfall of ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ but thankfully the flesh around them lack too much flab. Sonic’s ADHD personality (Ben Schwartz, best known as Jean Ralphio in Parks and Recreations) fills the screen and bounces well off of Marsden despite some jokes feeling like lazy grabs at current pop culture (“Who left on ‘Find My Phone’??”). Their journey together to recover the transportation rings makes for great set pieces and lets the visual department go all out. Several times things slow to a crawl from Sonic’s point of view so he can mess with his surroundings at super speed which is always grin-worthy.

Is there any more perfect casting than Jim Carrey for Dr. Robotnik / Eggman? He brings his usual Carrey manic energy to the role but the movie also gives him just enough tweak of individual personality that Robotnik doesn’t just present as standard ‘evil’. His gloating about his intelligence and his love / hate relationship with subordinate Agent Stone means that Carrey’s scenes sparkle and ensure that ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ is high scoring throughout. Snatching victory from the jaws of badniks, ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ is, against the odds, a fun family movie right out of the spinning gate.

CONTENT: IS ‘SONIC THE HEDGEHOG’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

A young Sonic returns home from a run to meet a mother-like owl called Longclaw.

He has been followed by creatures firing arrows and during the escape she is hit. She fights off the attackers to allow Sonic to escape and the last she is seen she is about to be overwhelmed by them. Once safe, Sonic is upset and looks crestfallen at what has happened. This lasts for a few seconds and the tone is picked up in the next scene.

Sonic plays baseball by himself, his super speed letting him play as all necessary players simultaneously. However, he gets lonely and angry and lets his frustration out by running in circles extremely fast. The upset on his face is prominently shown for around 10 – 20 seconds.

A meeting of government officials takes place to discuss what to do about the electromagnetic pulse that wiped out large amounts of the surrounding electrical supply. It is suggested that someone in particular be brought in to help to which one officer snorts, “Can’t believe you’re bringing that freak into this”.

Dr. Robotnik describes wanting to dissect Sonic and states that once he captures him he will take him apart ‘piece by piece’.

Tom punches Dr. Robotnik in the face to protect Sonic. Later, Dr. Robotnik says that the only other person to punch him in the face was his high school bully but that he used his intelligence to mean that the bully ended up taking him meals through a straw for weeks after.

When Tom and Sonic stop driving Tom needs to call his wife. He explains what a payphone is to Sonic by stating that it is “mostly for drug dealers”.

After a phone call with Tom, Dr Robotnik insults another officer by calling him “Officer Brainfart”.

Tom and Sonic dance to music in a bar. Sonic accidentally bumps into a woman’s bottom. When she turns she sees Tom smiling at her and dancing so she blames him and throws a drink in his face.

The bar scene becomes a massive brawl. Sonic tries (unsuccessfully) to break a bottle over an aggressor’s face. It doesn’t smash but this may be imitable behaviour. Many punches are thrown throughout but there is no blood or injury detail.

As Dr. Robotnik chases Sonic through the streets of San Francisco in his flying machine he shoots at him indescriminatrely. Several cars are hit and there are small explosions. However, no-one is shown to be hurt.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘SONIC THE HEDGEHOG’ OK FOR KIDS?

Sonic The Hedgehog may feel at times that it has been workshopped to death by committee, but in doing so there is very little in the way of potentially unsuitable content and you’ll notice that we struggled to find much to comment on. We therefore feel that this movie is suitable for all ages.

• Violence: 1/5 (a bar fight in which kicks and punches are thrown but there is no injury detail nor lingering pain)
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (Sonic is upset at the fate of a character. He is occasionally lonely)
• Fear Factor: 0/5
• Sexual Content: 1/5 (a woman’s bottom is accidentally bumped against and she slaps who she believes is responsible)
• Bad Language: 1/5 (infrequent mild curse words such as ‘jerk’, multiple uses of the word ‘fart’)
• Dialogue:  1/5 (minor verbal threats and one use of the word ‘freak’ to refer to someone in a derogatory manner)
• Other notes: Deals with themes of being on the outside looking in, wanting to belong to family, responsible use of power, living all the life you can, and deciding on your dreams.

Words by Mike Record