There’s no way I could possibly review this more from an objective standpoint. From where I sit right now at my desk I can look up and see a grand total of six Sonic related toys, collectibles and game cases.





That’s not even counting the countless stuffed animals, toys, trading cards, games and comic books back home. I have three alternate versions of the same Sonic funko pop. Whenever I feel depressed I look up pictures of Sonic the Hedgehog because he’s so intrinsically linked to an endless supply of happy childhood memories. I just spent over fifty dollars on getting the tie-in Build-A-Bear Sonic that came out today and is not even in stores yet (I checked).

So what I’m trying to say is that I’m simultaneously the best and worst person to review Sonic the Hedgehog (2020).

















If you’re reading this you probably follow me on some social media, so you’ve likely noticed me obsessively tracking the progress of this movie since its inception. I won’t go into the troubled production of this movie but given the delays, leaks, studio meddling, and SEGA literally disowning the movie, you wouldn’t be surprised if this film were a massive trainwreck that fell of the side of a cliff, onto a hospital and into a nuclear reactor that blows up and thereby decimates the United States of America, leaving geopolitical turmoil in its wake and a deadly fog of radiation that forces humanity underground where we feebly try to survive before the grim specter of death comes for us once we finally succumb to the radiation poisoning and the entirety of mankind joins the dinosaurs as just another footnote in the annals of history.





But Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) is actually a pleasant train ride. Sure, there are a few bumps along the way and once the credits roll you may realize a car or plane would’ve been more convenient. But despite its flaws, it is arguably an experience everyone can enjoy.





***





I haven’t read many other reviews, but I think many of them will criticize it for being predictable. As someone who creatively writes more than I review, I definitely think a lot of reviewers mistake that as lazy writing for a variety of reasons I won’t go into, but it basically comes down to the fact that most movies follow the same plot structure. And sure, it's definitely better when a movie can pull off avoiding cliches and predictability. But that’s ridiculously hard to pull off. You either wind up with a masterpiece like Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008) or Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (which doesn’t even deserve the dignity of me italicizing its name or looking up year it came out).

















Is the Sonic movie predictable? Yes, (though tbh I did not expect a reference to 9/11 in the ending credits song. But I expected to expect nothing so it doesn't count) but the movie is competently written. Which is a huge compliment from me. Stuff is set up in the first act that comes back later, emotional beats are effective, the characters are charming and their actions make sense within the context of their established character. It’s competent. Which, I know, sounds underhanded, but it really isn’t. Writing is so much more difficult than it seems and even lazy writing requires days or weeks of hard work. (For a good example of an incompetent movie, just look at the recent Rise of Skywalker (2020) for a film that completely has no idea where it’s going or how to communicate its themes or even character motivations.) What I’m trying to say is that it is commendable to finish anything and it's remarkable to have it end up being competent.





***





Alright, so after 500 words I’ll tell you what the movie is about: Sonic, after being mistaken for a terrorist, must enlist the help of a local cop to get to San Francisco so he can escape the US government and their agent of chaos, Dr. Robotnik.





If that sounds slightly similar to the plot of Sonic Adventure 2, that probably isn’t a coincidence. The movie is dripping with subtle references to the nearly thirty-year history of America’s favorite rodent whose personality was inspired by the “Get it done attitude,” of one Impeached President Clinton. It’s clear nearly everyone involved loves the Sonic franchise and it shows up in nearly every frame of the movie. When you say fan service, it may call to mind many of the charming yet eye-rolling moments in Avengers: Endgame (2019). But Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) manages a perfect balancing act of providing fan service without it ever feeling forced.

















Ben Schwartz (Jean Ralphio from Parks and Rec who also voices Dewey Duck and Leonardo, two other blue cartoon animals that were popular in the 90s) feels like he was born to play the part of Sonic the Hedgehog. His voice perfectly captures the enthusiasm and coolness of the character, while also being nasally enough to be slightly grating. The movie understands that Sonic is at his best when his endless and charismatic one-liners are ticking off everyone around him. Despite that, I’ll be honest and say that while I initially didn’t love this version of the character (I usually prefer Sonic when he’s a little bit of a jerk), the childlike innocence of this portrayal grew on me so much that by the end he might be one of, if not my favorite, interpretations of the character. And as someone who has seen every episode of the six cartoon shows, read nearly all of the 300 Archie comics and all of the ongoing IDW comics, that’s really saying something.

















But a hero is nothing without his villain and Jim Carey (The Grinch, The Mask, The Man, The Legend) is more than up to the task as he steals the show as Dr. Robotnik. He’s not much like his counterpart in the games, whose only motivation is to tear down cities so he can build amusement parks on top of them. (Which I don’t see a problem with, so maybe Sonic is the true villain). Jim Carey's interpretation is a terrifying sociopath driven by childhood trauma who has already murdered hundreds before the movie even starts. Or at least we can assume so since he makes drones for the US military. But that’s beside the point. Even if Jim Carey isn’t being funny he’s doing something so off and strange you just can’t keep your eyes off him. But at the same time he also manages to make the iconic villain so threatening that at times you really believe do something as violent as tear someone’s eyes out of their skull even though the movie is rated PG. While he and Sonic don’t have as many interactions as I would have liked, Robotnik and Sonic’s buddy Tom have great chemistry and even though their interactions are genuinely funny, Jim Carey still works in enough malice to keep a perfect balance of humor suspense when he’s on-screen. As someone who loves a campy villain, this Dr. Robotnik is rivaled only by Thanos’ over the top speeches from last year's Avengers: Endgame.





Alright, imma bout to go into Tom, the new human guy. But this is already too long, so here’s a Nancy (1938) comic as a treat for indulging me.

















Okay and we’re back. I didn’t think I’d like Tom, Sonic’s new cop friend. Fans may wonder why Sonic isn’t teaming up with one of his other friends like Tails the Fox, Knuckles the Echidna. But Tom ended up becoming actually being an interesting addition that added a lot to the Sonic's nearly thirty-year history.

























Most of Sonic’s friends are defined by their relationship to him. And that’s usually either blindness devotion or the desire to kill him. So up until now, there’s never been a Sonic character who actually holds him accountable, besides his naked squirrel girlfriend https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Sally_Acorn_(Pre-Super_Genesis_Wave) . And there’s never been someone to be a true father figure to him, except for the father he does have that’s also a robot https://archiesonic.fandom.com/wiki/Jules_Hedgehog .





A worse movie might’ve made the mistake of making Tom the main character like the countless human and cartoon character team-up movies we’ve seen in the past. But the movie smartly keeps Tom out of the spotlight while still keeping him from feeling like an unnecessary addition. You’ve probably seen the arc he goes through and the relationship that forms between him and Sonic, but that doesn’t stop either from being surprisingly well done.

















What else is there to gush about? The fight scenes are amazing good, with each one finding another fun new way for Sonic to use his supernatural powers. The animation of Sonic is sublime. His character animation is some of the best I’ve seen in CG and debut director Jeff Fowler's experience with animation clearly show as Sonic bursts across the screen like Looney Tunes character.





In summation, Sonic the Hedgehog is an amazing addition to the Sonic canon and one of the most fun times at the movies right now. Is it perfect? Yes. Goodbye and thanks for reading.





How Does it Compare to Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)?

No film can ever truly compare to Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008). And yet, Sonic nobly attempts to do so.

Sonic and Ponyo are both kindred spirits in their zest for life. And yet, Sonic does not love ham. Sonic does not even love Sōsuke (Though that is forgivable since Sōsuke is not in this movie unless he appeared in the brief moments I evacuated to the lavatory.)

While Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008) has multiple lines where the Little Mermaid inspired character adorably proclaims her love for ham, there are no such scenes where Sonic does so. “What about his famous love of chili dogs!?” You yell at your screen as you rip your clothes in anger. Well, you can repair your shirt because Sonic does, in fact, eat chili dogs in this movie, despite never vocalizing to the audience his opinions on them. He seems to enjoy eating them, but in a later scene, they give him flatulence, implying that he may even regret eating them. Especially since they contain hog, which as a hedgehog, Sonic is distantly related to and this may become awkward around cousins at a family reunion or get together.