‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ Review: A Faithful but Faulty Video Game Adaptation

Against all odds, the original Sonic the Hedgehog turned out to be one of the best video game adaptations we’ve had on the big screen. It was fun, fast, and filled with just enough references to the game to satisfy both fans and newcomers alike. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 aims to recapture that lightning fast speed once again but is weighed down by an overstuffed story and humor that doesn’t quite hit its mark. The addition of Knuckles is entertaining but is easily overshadowed by the film’s exhaustive story.

After saving the world from the crazed Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), Sonic (Ben Schwartz) believes himself to be a certified hero now, although Sheriff Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) still see him as the child that he actually is. Meanwhile on the distant mushroom planet, Dr. Robotnik has finally devised a way to escape and return to Earth with the help of a new friend, Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba), who shares a common enemy in Sonic. Together they return to Earth to find the Master Emerald and gain the ultimate power in the universe. It soon becomes a race to see who can retrieve the Emerald first.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ups the video game ante by introducing not only Knuckles but also Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) who was teased at the end of the first film. Fans of the video game franchise will be pleased to see their favorite characters in all their glory. Knuckles especially is played perfectly by Idris Elba, who not only brings the power and swagger of the echidna but also a deadpan sense of humor. Knuckles is far and away the best aspect of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and carries the weight of the film entirely in his massive hands.

The biggest issue with Sonic 2 is that it doesn’t know the story it wants to tell. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails are the most interesting characters of the film, and yet it keeps trying to shoehorn pointless side stories involving the humans. I was excited when Tom and Maddie are sent away on a Hawaiian vacation early on in the film, hoping that would make more room for Sonic and his new friends to take center stage,  only to have that excitement turn to dread when the film continued to follow them to Hawaii. The entire side plot of Rachel’s wedding is completely unnecessary, acting as a massive speed bump to Sonic and the film’s speed. At a little over two hours long, kids and adults alike will feel every moment of its runtime.

Jim Carrey is fine as Dr. Robotnik and delivers an entertaining performance that can be a little over the top yet still ultimately remains delightful. The humor does start to wear thin by the end, especially between Dr. Robotnik and Sonic as they continue to rely on the same material from the first film. The new characters are nice, but they’re not enough to save the film entirely.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is far from being a terrible video game adaptation, but it still isn’t a great movie like its predecessor. It has moments of great humor and action, and the references to the games are wonderful. Unfortunately the dull moments stand out more harshly this time around, and Sonic isn’t nearly fast enough to outrun them. Before I was excited to see the direction the Sonic franchise was heading. Now, not so much.