Sonic the Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) is attempting to embrace a superhero role, albeit with mixed results. During a period of solitude, he is challenged to learn responsibility. This task is complicated by the return of the unhinged Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who escapes from the mushroom planet where he was previously marooned. Robotnik, determined to destroy Sonic at all costs, enlists the aid of the formidable Knuckles (Idris Elba), an echidna and sworn enemy of the hedgehogs. The arrival of the two-tailed fox, Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), serves as a warning to Sonic about the impending conflict.
The release of Sonic the Hedgehog coincided with the onset of the 2020 pandemic, impacting its theatrical run. However, the film resonated with audiences, achieving considerable success (particularly after revisions to Sonic’s digital design). Consequently, a sequel was anticipated, arriving approximately two years later as Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Ben Schwartz, reprising his role as Sonic, is given more narrative depth this time, demonstrating his dramatic capabilities. The dynamic between Sonic and the ageless James Marsden is well-directed and effectively portrayed. The introduction of Knuckles and Tails, both fully animated characters, benefits from surprisingly well-developed personalities. Idris Elba delivers a commendable performance as Knuckles, while Colleen O’Shaughnessey stands out as one of the few actors to have portrayed her character across multiple media, including a 2014 TV series.
However, Jim Carrey unequivocally steals the show, delivering an unrestrained performance as Dr. Robotnik. Despite nearly three decades since his breakthrough as Ace Ventura, Carrey’s physical comedy, verbal dexterity, and inventive approach remain undiminished. Following a period of diverse roles with varying degrees of success, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 allows Carrey to reaffirm his mastery of slapstick and one-liners. Carrey has hinted at this being his final film, and a post-credits scene intentionally leaves the direction of the third installment’s villain open to speculation.
The film maintains a brisk pace with engaging action sequences. The humor is effective, complemented by well-executed emotional moments. However, two aspects detract from the overall experience. The first is a subplot involving a wedding that feels excessive and forces contrived character decisions. The second involves two sequences featuring noticeably subpar visual effects. For the most part, the effects are well-rendered, with detailed and smoothly animated characters and environments. However, a scene featuring snow falling from one of Sonic’s portals suffers from unconvincing effects, with the snow appearing to float unnaturally above the ground, betraying its unfinished state. Similarly, a brief shot of a hot dog bun landing on a character lacks texture and appears to be a placeholder mistakenly included in the final cut.
The image is presented in 2160p with Dolby Vision, and the viewing experience is significantly enhanced on a TV that supports this format. Apart from the aforementioned sequences, the visual effects are generally well-executed, creating a convincing sense of depth. Furthermore, unlike films such as Death on the Nile, where the use of greenscreen is readily apparent, Sonic achieves a greater sense of realism, largely due to the construction of extensive practical sets. The Dolby Atmos sound design is immersive and impactful, particularly during a scene where Sonic and Tails are fleeing an avalanche. Dialogue and other sound elements, such as the whirring of robots, remain clear amidst the rumble of the approaching avalanche. The included extra material is reasonably comprehensive, although primarily promotional in nature, with limited in-depth content. However, a notable highlight is an informative and entertaining commentary track featuring the director and lead actor.
In conclusion, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a briskly paced and entertaining sequel, now available in a visually impressive UHD edition. Had the filmmakers refined the script and addressed the aforementioned visual effects flaws, the film would have been an unequivocal recommendation.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. Material providers have no editorial influence on our assessments. Our reviews are conducted independently, with our readership and consumers as our primary focus.
