A Reel Review: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

Starting with SUPER MARIO BROS. in 1993, mainstream Hollywood has released 37 films based on video games, mostly with disastrous results; with films such as MORTAL KOMBAT (1995), DOOM (2005), and ASSASSIN’S CREED (2016) earning lousy reviews and ire from fans while barely making a penny at the box office. In recent years there has been a resurgence in the genre, with decent hits based on Tomb Raider and Pokemon. Next up, is the popular character from the old Sega library, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG. 

Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), is a lightning-fast hedgehog from another world living in secret on Earth. When he loses his bag of magic rings, he befriends Tom (James Marsden), a local sheriff, to locate them…while being pursued by the evil Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). 

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a film that sticks to the basics. The goal for Sheriff Tom and Sonic is to locate the bag of rings, which gives Sonic the ability to travel to another world in safety. The clock is ticking for him, as Robotnik and his endless army of drones are after him for his power. The film moves into a buddy-buddy road trip genre, with Tom and Sonic getting to know each other as they escape one scrape after another in a romp across the state. It’s basic plotting but functional. 

But what really makes SONIC run is the amount of heart that director Jeff Fowler injects into the film. Sonic is fleshed out nicely as a character; having fun living in secret but deep-down is lonely and just looking for a friend. It’s a simple, yet workable human emotion that makes us care about a cartoon creature. 

A lot has been said leading up to the film about the visual effects here, as Sonic underwent a late design change. It’s unclear if he was supposed to look cartoony or have a sense of realism that failed, but cartoony is what we got. There are a few scenes where he looks unfinished and are just bad. This can draw a pass though, as SONIC is so much fun it almost doesn’t matter. Chase-scenes down the highway and a bar fight are a blast with Sonic using his powers in full; kids and long-time fans of the old Sonic video games will find a lot to enjoy. 

Acting is very good with the cast looking like they are having just as much fun as audiences will. James Marsden steps it up and does a convincing job of acting against nothing on set. Jim Carrey gets a second shot at Ace Ventura with a welcome return to his comic roots. He’s funny and lights up the screen every time he appears. Ben Schwartz injects a lot of emotion into Sonic and matches his personality perfectly. 

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG’s commitment to sticking to the basics gives it a very functional story, but it also plays it so safe that there are very little surprises; the finale and final battle with Robotnik ends exactly the way we figured they would. The film does offer two scenes during the credits which delivers exactly what fans want from a SONIC movie, and is the capper to a fun and emotional race to the finish. 

BOTTOM LINE: See it