September 22, 2023

FSM Media

by Dianna Ranere

Review | Sonic The Hedgehog 2 – Is it Better than the First?

Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD August 9th

After settling in Green Hills, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles (Idris Elba), in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.


Let me preface this review by saying that my entire family LOVED the first movie. It has everything we would want in a “video game” movie and took great care in bringing the beloved Sonic the Hedgehog to life without seeming too hokey, well, after they reworked his entire look. Remember that?

In this highly anticipated second installment, we start where we left off in the first movie, Sonic living happily ever after with his “parents” Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter).

James Marsden, Tika Sumpter and Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) has morphed visually into more of the Robotnik we are used to complete with a crazy, wide mustache and an even crazier temperament. I have to say that Carrey plays this character to the hilt, but in true Jim Carrey form, his mannerisms harken back to a couple of his other famous characters namely Fire Marshal Bill and The Grinch. Robotnik’s exile to the mushroom planet really did a number on him and he is still out for Sonic, probably even more so than before.

Jim Carrey in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

Lucky for him, he is brought back to earth by a red powerful force named Knuckles (Idris Elba) who is looking for help to find Sonic. Little do they know that Sonic has someone of his own to help him fight back, Tails!

Jim Carrey and Knuckles (Idris Elba) in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.
Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

I have to say, seeing Knuckles and Tails, who joins Sonic in the fight against Robotnik and Knuckles was awesome! They really did a great job of bringing them both to the screen.

So there’s the entire movie right there, Knuckles is after Sonic, Robotnik is also after Sonic, and Tails helps Sonic. So there are lots and lots of action scenes all while trying to tell several storylines with the humans which for me, all fell flat. The one with Maddie’s sister felt weirdly like filler, although comedic, and the storyline of Robotnik’s lackey just didn’t do it for me.

Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega.

There are lots of action-packed scenes, and we get to see Robotnik in his giant robot form, but otherwise, I wasn’t overly impressed with the movie, none of us were. I mean, we liked it, and kids and fans of Sonic will also enjoy it because we get to see more aspects of the game in play, but for us, it wasn’t better than the first one.

Pick it up for Sonic, Watch for Tails and Knuckles, and Stay for the extra scene.

Fans purchasing the Digital*, 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray releases of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 will find they are packed with nearly an hour of bonus features, headlined by an all-new, exclusive animated short entitled “Sonic Drone Home” featuring Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. 

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