Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review: This is How You Do a Video Game Movie

It’s no secret that even though Sonic the Hedgehog is an iconic figure in gaming he doesn’t actually have a history of great games. In 2020, before the pandemic closed things down,  he found new acclaim and success with his first live-action feature film that delivered fast-paced fun for the whole family. In 2022, Sonic continues this new legacy with a sequel that brings in more elements and characters from the games for an equally fun adventure that offers a strong future for Sonic’s cinematic adventures.

After defeating Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and sending him to a mushroom planet, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) now tries to establish himself as a hero while still living with Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter). However, after Robotnik returns with a fierce new companion, Knuckles the Echidna (voiced by Idris Elba). Sonic, and his new companion Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey), find themselves in a race to find a powerful artifact known as the Master Emerald before Robotnik uses it for his nefarious world-dominating plans. 

One of the defining aspects of the first Sonic film was how Sonic’s design was handled as it changed the conversation on the movie entirely. Fans went from being furious about the film to actively rallying around seeing it once Sonic’s design changed from an unrecognizable abomination to a more eye-pleasing presentation. It was a change that symbolized the film’s dedication to getting it right for the fans. While the first film didn’t include much game lore or secondary characters, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 dives headfirst in bringing the games to life and totally nails it. 

Schwartz’s voice and Sonic’s design continue to create an incredibly fun depiction of the character full of great one-liners and enjoyable energy. His story and screen presence feel elevated with both the greater inclusion of game lore and the greater number of action sequences. The same can be said for Carrey’s Robotnik as he continues to kill it as a zany villain who makes you smile at every turn, and the comedic deviousness he brings to the role is just a blast. The overuse of quips and a couple messy visuals that make the green screen look clear as ever might be distracting at times, but Sonic and Robotnik continue to impress and the games really feel represented on screen because of how they’re depicted, which can also be said about two special new additions.

Tails and Knuckles’ depictions are pretty immaculate — from their amazing looking designs to their voices and personal arcs. It’s a lot of fun to watch Tails and Sonic’s almost brotherly bond grow throughout the film as Tails goes from being an admiring fan to earning his place by Sonic’s side.

O’Shaughnessey, who also voices Tails in the games, is a key part of what makes the character come to life. It’s great how Tails’ tech plays a fun role in creating different kinds of action as well as a surprisingly fun and visually entertaining dance sequence. Knuckles is also brought to life incredibly well with Elba’s voice which gives him the brutish personality that matches his very punchy fighting style. Knuckles’ lack of intelligence makes you laugh, but the film doesn’t paint him as an idiot and gives him a great backstory. 

One of the best elements of Sonic 2’s story is how it touches and expands on events from the first film and ties them into Tails and Knuckles’ motivations. It makes this sequel a cohesive continuation of the first film that adds some good lore between characters and even enhances the relationship between Sonic and his human companions. Sonic’s dynamic with Tom and Maddie is an enjoyable part of his story. His interactions with them are heartwarming as it illustrates how committed (and fun) Marsden and Sumpter’s performances are. Their arc about family works incredibly well with Tails and Knuckles joining together with Sonic. Sonic 2 does get sidetracked a little too often with side characters and stories that lack in comedy or satisfying story material, but its main story rarely falters because it’s just so much fun and treats its material remarkably well. 

Seeing characters like Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails on screen together not only offers a visually pleasing color palette to the action, but is striking because of how much care clearly went into bringing them to life. There’s honestly so much for fans to enjoy with Sonic 2 in how much it pays homage to the games in both subtle cameos and nods that impact the story greatly. The finale is a fun fight to the finish against Robotnik that feels like a boss battle from the games and yes, even if Carrey really retires after Sonic 2, there’s a great future set up for Sonic the Hedgehog that still pulls from the games with a great post-credit scene that’ll make fans cheer and even some possibilities for the upcoming Knuckles series. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a great follow-up that continues to define how to do a video game movie. It adds in Tails and Knuckles with some real heart and fun that everyone can enjoy while also making Sonic’s personal arc surprisingly heartfelt, paving a bright future for the franchise as a whole. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is now playing in theaters nationwide.