Review by RCR entertainment reporter, Eric Szymanski, follow him on Twitter at @ecmanski
There have been countless video game adaptations that just really did not work on the big screen. 1993’s Super Mario Bros. The Rock battling oversized monsters in Rampage just a couple years ago. Oh yeah, the Rock in Doom in the mid-2000s.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but Sonic the Hedgehog bucks that trend and is the best movie based on a video game I’ve ever seen. I went in with low expectations and emerged from the theater just as happy as the kids in the theater lobby who also had just watched the Hedgehog’s hijinx.
The story starts off with Sonic in his world and the circumstances that force him to evacuate. Look, I’ve played the game but honestly, I didn’t have a Sega system growing up and am unfamiliar with the lore. That didn’t affect my enjoyment of this film one bit.
Fast forward years later we find Sonic in a one-horse town where he encounters Tom Wachowski, the local sheriff played by James Marsden whom Sonic affectionately refers to as the Donut King. The plot actually reminded me a bit of E.T. Alien lands on Earth, befriends nice human who must hide him from the outside world only to chased by the let’s run test on it hungry government. In this case, that test hungry government agent is lead by Jim Carrey’s hilarious portrayal of Dr. Robotnik.
It’s been years since we’ve seen Jim Carrey on a movie screen in the form he’s in here. It reminded me of his Ace Ventura/Mask era only funnier and more scaled back. This is old school Carrey at his best. A portrayal that reminded me a lot of his In Living Color days. Every scene he’s in he steals from the incredibly wacky dialogue delivery to the spot on subtle facial expressions. To say that this feels like a classic Jim Carrey movie would be an understatement. And in 2020, I totally welcome that.
What surprised me most about the film was the sharp dialogue and quick-witted delivery. Sonic is a riot. Actor Ben Schwartz brings the classic character to life with his spot-on comedic timing. I haven’t had this much fun watching a barroom brawl since Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse. The action scenes and visual effects are also top-notch here. Some of the best sequences are Sonic showing off his talents hitting the ground running. The supporting cast also shines here. Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski screams star in the making and her sister (Natasha Rothwell) turns the must awkward family visit into comedic gold.
It’s always nice going into a film with little to zero expectations and left pleasantly surprised. It’s rare but it happens. You can’t wait to spread the news to others you know are gonna have just as good of a time. Sonic the Hedgehog is the first movie in 2020 like that. A fun, family-friendly romp you’re sure to have a good time at. So level up, put on your running shoes and get to the theater.
About Sonic The Hedgehog Movie
Sonic The Hedgehog is speeding to theatres for a big screen adventure for the whole family February 14!
Based on the global blockbuster videogame franchise from Sega, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG tells the story of the world’s speediest hedgehog as he embraces his new home on Earth. In this live-action adventure comedy, Sonic and his new best friend Tom (James Marsden) team up to defend the planet from the evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and his plans for world domination. The family-friendly film also stars Tika Sumpter and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic.
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