After escaping a planet populated exclusively by mushrooms, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) teams up with an alien warrior named Knuckles (Idris Elba) to exact vengeance on his nemesis, Sonic the Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz). With help from his human adoptive parents Tom and Maddie Wachowski (James Marsden and Tika Sumpter) and his new friend Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), Sonic must stop Dr Robotnik and knuckles before they can claim the power of the Master Emerald.
Sometimes a film does not manage to correctly convey through tone it’s intended audience. Infantilised blockbusters and needlessly gritty teen fare can make it hard to judge how seriously one should take certain properties. Fortunately Sonic the Hedgehog 2 establishes itself as a breezy family film in it’s opening sequence that sees Jim Carrey try to adjust to life on his Mushroom planet. Almost immediately we are told to expect a meandering plot, silly jokes and fairly straightforward messaging. Consequently it was easier to enjoy this entertaining if completely disposable adventure film.
Which isn’t to say the film doesn’t get grating. Shwartz and Carrey approach comedy in a quantity over quality style, the true horror of which is to imagine what was left on the cutting room floor if this represents the highlights. However the film is actually frequently genuinely amusing, mostly in it’s visual gags. The humour does of course undercut the drama, but the sheer predictability of the script will do that. The story is uneven, jarringly spending runtime on an ancillary wedding storyline whilst the epic fantasy treasure hunt is paused for a while. It’s messy but charming.
The human characters are largely utilised for comic relief but there is something very charming about Marsden and Sumpter. They share few scenes together but are frequently, and somewhat inexplicably placed at the forefront of certain sequences. Many scenes are stolen by Natasha Rothwell who provides a larger than life comedic performance as Maddie’s sister who hates James and Sonic, a force to be reckoned with. Lee Majdoub is also stellar in his clearly Smithers derived role.
Perhaps what is most surprising is that the film features some very exciting action sequences that look great thanks to the involvement of practical elements. An early dark knight derived van chase actually involves more exciting stunts and effects work than supposed adult action film Morbius. Even the CGI elements look substantially better thanks to their focus on clarity and simple action that more readily recalls Pixar’s animated mayhem than the obnoxious current trend to incoherent CGI goo mist.
Sonic 2 is not breaking any new ground. The messaging of responsibility and friendship is familiar and hackneyed. If you want to give your kids something nourishing and challenging and nuanced, you must prioritise Turning Red. But if you’re looking for a fun way to pass the afternoon then you can do a lot worse than Sonic 2. But in terms of sticking with you, you may find the memories go fast.
Three Stars