Millennials grew up playing Sonic the Hedgehog on their Sega Genius and Game-Gears. While these gaming consoles are obsolete now, the nostalgia for the spirit of Sonic clearly is not.
After the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie trailer landed, there was some immediate push back directed at Paramount from the initial Sonic CGI of the character, we can proudly state that a comprehensive makeover clearly made all the difference.
Throughout the film, Sonic the Hedgehog tries to survive on Earth by using his rings to teleport himself and audiences to faraway locales such as The Great Wall of China and the Pyramids in Egypt in an effort to escape those who seek to do him harm. The shots of the natural wonders of the world are spectacular and on par with Disney-Pixar; truly breathtaking. Parks and Recreation star Ben Schwartz voices the furiously fast blue-devil, who seemingly just wants to make friends, is arguably a perfect match for the 90’s gaming icon.
Personally, I took a friend of mine and his son just to gauge their reactions. He and I both played the game when we were younger, and it was his two-year old’s first movie in a theater! How did he do? Well, he was in complete awe of Sonic and couldn’t take his eyes off the screen. We were dancing when the music was playing with fast-paced sequences and laughing together at mostly the same parts. However, there’s even some great adult yet kid-friendly comedic content embedded in the storyline that makes this flick fun for all ages.
The main source for that comedic relief is Jim Carrey, who channels some of those older Ace Ventura classics, and is impeccably cast as the villain, Dr. Ivo Robotnik.
With family films such as these, it’s important that the filmmakers take pages from the Disney-Pixar playbook and cross-pollinate ideas with deeper meanings that resonate with a broader demographic that just youngsters, and Sonic the Hedgehog does just that.
Sonic is seeking what every human is: connection and friendship. In this case, he aspires to find kinship with the local Sherriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) and his wife (Tika Sumpter), who help protect the furry little guy from being captured by Dr. Robotnik.
Director Jeff Fowler successfully captures the heart and nostalgia of Sonic, while wowing us both visually and emotionally.
Sonic the Hedgehog zooms into theaters February 14.
One piece of advice: move at Sonic speed to get your tickets, because it’s not just the kiddos that are going to flock to see this one.
Pro tip: Make sure to stay after the credits roll for a special surprise from a familiar fast friend.
Grade: B+