Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Original title:Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Director:Jeff Fowler
Release:Cinema
Running time:122 minutes
Release date:08 april 2022
Rating:
Now that he's settled in the small town of Green Hills, Sonic wants to prove he's a real hero. He faces a big challenge when Dr. Robotnik reappears. Along with his new partner Knuckles, they are on a quest to find an emerald that has the power to destroy all of humanity. To make sure the emerald doesn't fall into the wrong hands, Sonic teams up with Tails. A journey across the world begins, full of adventure.

Mulder's Review

Released in 2020, the first live-action adaptation of the Sonic the Hedgehog universe had a difficult gestation with an inconclusive first version of this much loved character in a trailer that not only led Paramount Studios to revise their version of Sonic but also to postpone the release of this first installment by three months. This very wise choice not only testified that Paramount Pictures was listening to the audience but also allowed this film to be a worldwide success. It broke the record for the biggest opening weekend for a video game film in the United States and grossed $319.7 million worldwide, becoming the sixth highest grossing film of 2020. 

Sonic the Hedgehog was also the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time in North America, and it's easy to see why a sequel was coming, especially since the last few minutes of that film featured the character Tails, who was destined to have a bigger role in the second film. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 allows us to find Jeff Fowler as director and in the main roles James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Jim Carrey and in the original version the voices of Ben Schwartz (Sonic), Colleen O'Shaughnessey (Tails). 

The character of Sonic created in 1991 in order to become the mascot of Sega and compete with Nintendo Mario Bros. has become a global icon as its various adaptations on many game consoles (Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast and also on different generations of consoles Playstation and Nintendo thereafter) and its adaptations in the form of animated series and comics makes that its universe speaks to many generations of viewers. The writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller have perfectly captured the characteristics of the most famous hedgehog and have managed to incorporate him convincingly into our current society by setting the action in a small American town. In the same way, Sonic's sworn enemy, professor Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik, played by comedian Jim Carrey in a role in which his eccentricities fit perfectly, made the first film a perfectly mastered adaptation that lacked ambition at times. 

We could feel that Paramount Pictures studios launched the first movie to see if such a character could hold the attention of the public. This sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 shows that Paramount Pictures Studios totally believe in this character and have put more important means in this sequel which surpasses the first movie in every way. After a break-in phase (the first part), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 turns out to be an excellent surprise and a perfect family entertainment. While the first part only revolved around Sonic, this time the characters of Knuckles the Echidna and Miles "Tails" Prower take an important place in the story and the film gains in special effects and benefits from a rhythm that doesn't leave the audience any slack.

In this sequel, Sonic has found a true family with Tom and Maddie Wachowski and wants to become a true superhero by using his powers (his speed and boundless energy) to help justice prevail, but it must be admitted that he doesn't seem ready yet and continues to charge ahead without thinking enough about the collateral damage. While Tom and Maddie are away in Hawaii at her sister's wedding, Doctor Robotnik (Eggman) has managed to escape from the mushroom planet and has a strong ally in Knuckles the echidna. Knuckles is looking for a powerful emerald that he wants to recover and protect, while Doctor Robotnik's Machiavellian plans are quite different and he dreams of conquering the earth and killing Sonic once and for all. The action scenes follow one another at a fast pace and the humor is also omnipresent, especially through a nod to the cult film Risky Business.  

It's impossible not to be immersed in this film, which benefits from a Jim Carrey in top form who takes great pleasure in playing a diabolical scientist. His energy is clearly visible on screen and in the same way the couple formed on screen by James Marsden and Tika Sumpter brings to the film a strong message on the importance of succeeding both in one's professional and personal life in order to get ahead in life. Even more than in the first part, family and friendship are important values put forward here to find one's personal balance and to know how to transmit one's knowledge. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 not only surpasses the first part but shows what an excellent adaptation of a video game universe should be on the big screen. While Uncharted disappointed us with its lack of rhythm and original ideas, this movie shows that having a good script is the key to making a successful movie. The numerous special effects only enhance the action scenes and create a real psychological thickness to the three creatures of the film.  Such a film would have clearly deserved to be released in IMAX as some scenes such as the snowboarding scene is bound to become one of the scenes adored by audiences of all ages. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is definitely one of the cinematographic events of this year and we can only advise you to wait until the middle of the end credits to discover an additional scene that announces that the third installment already in production is going to be even more sensational.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Directed by Jeff Fowler
Screenplay by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington
Story by Pat Casey, Josh Miller
Based on Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega
Produced by Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, Hitoshi Okuno
Starring James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Idris Elba, Jim Carrey
Cinematography : Brandon Trost
Edited by Jim May
Music by Tom Holkenborg
Production companies : Sega Sammy Group, Original Film, Marza Animation Planet, Blur Studio
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date: March 30, 2022 (France), April 8, 2022 (United States)

Seen on March 28, 2022 at Gaumont Marignan, Room 1

Mulder's Mark: