Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sequel assumes you know Sonic basics but catches you up on the important stuff
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.
The verdict
If you're a fan of the games or have kids who love high-energy cartoon action with anthropomorphic animals throwing punches, this is a solid crowd-pleaser that delivers exactly what it promises. If you found the first Sonic movie too juvenile or you're not invested in video game adaptations, the breakneck pacing and heavy lore-dumping will likely leave you restless.
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
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
