Sonic the Hedgehog 2

PG Mar 30, 2022 Action · At over two hours, it's stuffed with more video game lore than most adults can handle.
Mixed reception
6.5/10
IMDb
69%
Fresh
47
47/100
Metacritic
3.1/5
Letterboxd
🎬
7.4/10
TMDB
Before you watch

Sequel assumes you know Sonic basics but catches you up on the important stuff

Rewatch
annual tradition
Attention
half watch ok
Phone-check
medium

The brief

This sequel doubles down on the video game energy with faster pacing and way more Sonic lore than the first film, which means kids will be glued to the screen while adults might find themselves checking their phones. Jim Carrey goes full unhinged villain mode again, but it's really Idris Elba's gruff, honor-bound Knuckles who steals the show with his deadpan delivery. The action sequences feel like cutscenes from a decent PlayStation game, complete with globe-hopping adventures and glowing MacGuffins. If you thought the first Sonic was too slow or needed more anthropomorphic animals punching each other, this one's your jam.

video game adventure colorful chaos nostalgic Saturday morning speedster energy buddy comedy globe-trotting spectacle

The verdict

If you're a Sonic fan or have kids who love high-energy video game action with colorful characters and non-stop adventure, this is exactly what you're looking for. If you found the first film too chaotic or aren't into family movies that prioritize spectacle over substance, you'll likely find yourself bored during the two-hour runtime.

Watch with

  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for families with gaming kids
  • ⚠️ Adults might find it overstimulating

Heads up

  • Cartoon violence and chase sequences (moderate)
  • Loud action scenes with explosive sounds (frequent)

Credits

Director
Jeff Fowler
Cast
Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, Jim Carrey, Natasha Rothwell
Official synopsis

After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes

The Double

Make a night of it
Poster for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Pair this with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

Both feature colorful animal heroes teaming up against villains in action-packed adventures.

Total runtime: 2h 3m + 1h 40m = 3h 43m

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