Sonic The Hedgehog Somehow Survived

The fact that the Sonic the Hedgehog movie is even any good is a miracle. With the travesty that was the original trailer’s design and the bog-standard plot promised, there was not a chance in heck that this was going to work out—and, yet, here we are.

But let’s not get hyperbolic about this. The movie is not a revelation, or revolutionary, or anything to write home about, but it does skirt some obvious pitfalls.

For one, Sonic himself is not annoying or overly juvenile in a way that’s repelling or grating. There’s not a lot of gross-out humor. Yeah, it’s foremost a movie for children, and one that has its share of goofy moments and fart jokes, but it’s not overly terrible with it.

Sonic The Hedgehog Has A Few Bits of Cleverness

No, instead, what it manages to be is a movie that is full of sorta good jokes, a few of which are actually funny enough to get a chuckle out of me, and that—almost too obviously—has a really breezy pace and easy to follow plot.

And then there’s the best part of the whole movie: Jim Carrey.

Or, rather, Dr. Robotnik.

Make no mistake, this is the perfect role for him. He’s a campy super-genius of a villain who is the perfect foil to Sonic. If someone at Sega had the time and the inclination, I would happily watch an animated series with these two fighting each other—so long as they keep the same actors.

He alone transforms this film and makes it tolerable and fun for adult fans who have seen, too many times, the “protect the alien friend” story that E.T. spawned. Only an actor like Jim Carrey can get away with an extended sight-gag dance scene and dry quips alongside cartoonish mania.

Sonic Isn’t The Best Part Of Sonic The Hedgehog

It’s just really nice to have him back and doing what he does best.

As for the rest of the cast, they are all fine, do their jobs well, and are not unlikeable. Some bit characters are even funny because of how absurdly they also act—someone clearly liked Chris Hemsworth’s character in Ghostbusters (2016).

Against all odds, we got another good video game movie and one that is not difficult to sit through and doesn’t overstay its welcome. I’m happy Sonic the Hedgehog exists, I recommend seeing it, so long as you know what you’re getting into, and I will probably only remember it for Jim Carrey—but that alone is worth it.

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