Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (2022) review: this exciting Sega sequel proves that Sonic is now the video game-to-film franchise to beat!

When disaster seemed imminent for director Jeff Fowler’s first adaptation of Sega’s blue hedgehog video game megastar Sonic, who looked rather horrifying, a strange thing happened. In the face of a wave of overwhelming disdain surrounding Sonic’s design, Paramount studio listened, put in the work and improved their overall end product no end. 

As a result 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog is warmly embraced by audiences as one of the best video game adaptations (a very narrow field) out there, and to boot the film also was a kind of resurgence for Jim Carrey, who tapped into his ’90s comedy energy to steal the show as villain Dr. Robotnik. Now, two years later, we are back, with a sequel that is not only perfect for its intended audience, but is a big fun, action packed family film treat ahead of summer blockbuster season.

The film catches up with Sonic (Ben Schwartz), as he is very much a part of a loving family with Tom and Maddie Wachowski (James Marsden and Tika Sumpter), but in his efforts to be a hero, Sonic has to realise that he still has a lot to learn about life itself. A lesson that becomes painfully clear when Dr. Robotnik (Carrey) returns from his Mushroom planet banishment, accompanied by a powerful new pal in Knuckles (Idris Elba). In the face of such danger, Sonic must join forces with new arrival Tails (Coleen O’Shaughnessy), who is here to warn Sonic about a great power on Earth, that is now in more danger than ever of falling into the wrong hands.

If you loved the first film, this one will receive a very high score. True, it stumbles here and there with some gags or jarring moments of singing dancing colloquial comedy that you have seen done many times before but these instances pass fast in a script that is high on the energy and imagination of the source material. The pace is so welcomely hyperactive and giddy in tone that you never go tumbling face first with it. Even as things get a little crazy! That said, Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Wittington’s writing, even at its most excitable or silly, still makes time for its characters and for a heart to fuel the quest-like story.

Sega’s roster of Sonic characters are expanded in this follow-up, and more importantly are done great justice too, with the colourful CG characters being well designed and instantly familiar to fans of the games. The title character and his pals/foes are great, with top notch voicework from Schwartz, but also newcomers O’Shaughnessey and Elba, as a great dynamic develops between them all onscreen. Plus, the film is littered with fun references (some huge, some subtle), as the set pieces actually feel like video game levels themselves, all further anchoring how this movie (like the first) is made by and for fans of all ages (see the incredible animated end credits for further proof). Even some of the posters are a direct homage to one of the games, and that love of the material is likely to go appreciated by many viewers, and indeed will likely continue on in the inevitable next instalment (stay seated for a big mid-credits tease). 

Switching sights to the human cast though, the characters are warm and fun, with Marsden and Sumpter again being the utterly loveable supportive family. While some side characters, actually get a greater bite in the story this time too. Natasha Rothwell in particular, as she returns as Maddie’s initially abrasive and intrusive older sister Rachel, who here develops into a quite kick-ass and exciting addition to the story, and blossoms as a character. While Lee Majoub’s obsessively dedicated Agent Stone (Robotnik’s right hand man) also gets more time to shine and his dedicated character is fleshed out in some very interesting ways, that hopefully we’ll see more of. 

But speaking of the colourful tech-wielding bad guy, of course, it is once more Jim Carrey who steals the show. He invests in every moment of the madness even more this time, proving again that he is very much the Carrey of old and if – as is heartbreakingly being discussed – this is his last film, he goes out with the kind of manic and irresistibly bonkers screen character we all fell in love with him for all those years back. Please stay for one more Jim!

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is precisely the film you have paid to see, with its interesting cinematography from Brandon Trost evoking the games’ colourful palette and a rousing and often phenomenal score by Tom Holkenborg accompanying this visual velocity.

This is just all great fun and by the end of it, you forget any missteps and will be more than happy for Part 3 to come dashing back to the big screen! As will the young ‘uns!