‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ Doesn’t Match Jim Carrey’s Maniac Performance

With its ferocity, Sonic the Hedgehog’s Its status as the highest-grossing video game-based film of all time in the US is a sad indictment of the genre, whose reputation won’t be improved by a blockbuster sequel. there, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. A sequel that’s comparable to delivering action, action-wise, pop-culture allusions and more than a few worthy statements about the importance of family and self. quality of the heroism, which is sure to appeal to teenage fans of the first film. However, anyone over 12 should be careful.

The sequel from director Jeff Fowler (in theaters April 8) is definitely working hard to attract Gen-Xers, who grew up navigating the bright blue speed car through the checkerboarded lands marked by bouncing spring and 360 degree circle. The user manual designed to resemble those that come with the Sega Genesis games is the most obvious of those nods, though references to Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Fast and the Furious and other familiar carvings are also strewn throughout this rapid-fire story. Unfortunately, the majority of those quotes will end up running over the heads of the film’s target audience, as well as misleading their adult companions, as this story is a largely intended story. Teens are more concerned with CGI spectacles and cheesy dramas than they are about saying anything interesting or affecting adult viewers.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is primarily concerned with expanding the franchise, and to achieve that, it introduces two new characters that are very popular with gamers: Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), a side fox with a two spin-off. prongs that allow him to fly like a helicopter, and Knuckles (Idris Elba), a red echidna warrior with giant gauntlets and a giant punch to confront. The first arrives at Sonic’s (Ben Schwartz) sleepy home village of Green Hills, Washington, to warn him of the latter’s arrival, prompted by a quest to find the Master Emerald to help his owner. It has the power to turn every thought into reality. The Master Emerald is actually forged from seven smaller Chaos Emeralds. However, like so many plot points, the ending is completely unimportant. So that’s exactly how Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik (Jim Carrey) – is imprisoned at the end of the first movie about a distant mushroom world that seems like a sly dig. live Super Mario Bros.—Using primitive technology to send out a signal that attracts the attention of Knuckles, who agrees to join forces to find Master Emerald and, by doing so, kill Sonic.

It’s all just a lot of kid stuff in a gobbledygook designed to pit Sonic and his new friend Tails (who’s also a genius inventor) against Knuckles and Robotnik, who now boast what it is. bald head and giant mustache of his 16-bit counterpart. Sonic and Knuckles take it out in the backyard of Sonic’s house, in the snowy mountains of Siberia, and on a remote tropical island, all languages ​​appearing largely animated even when a real human Robotnik is involved. As before, Sonic is a bright blue blur of schoolyard attitude and naughty delinquency, more like Bart Simpson than The Simpsons‘the obnoxious troublemaker who runs the bartending company Poochie. Regardless of Schwartz’s lively and sarcastic tone, Sonic somehow doesn’t say or do anything funny or interesting — an important issue because of the script (by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington) wants us to empathize with both his desire to be Batman-ish-crime-warrior, and his radiant realization that, each Spiderman tradition, great power goes hand in hand with great responsibility.

In terms of style and layout, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 similar to modern Alvin and the Chipmunks movies, full of human characters whose primary function is to deliver life lessons and gawk, fuming and marveling in maximum fashion. James Marsden once again takes on the role of small town cop Tom Wachowski, who explains to Sonic that he has a lot of work to do before he can fulfill his better dreams, and that Tika Sumpter is no better with the role. Tom’s wife. Maddie. There’s a completely unnecessary extra episode in which Tom and Maddie visit Hawaii to attend the wedding of Maddie’s sister Rachel (Natasha Rothwell) and hunky beau Randall (Shemar Moore), only to have it always spoiled by Sonic’s random appearance, and it’s here to indicate that the proceedings are temporarily going in the wrong direction, completely ignoring Sonic because of some extravagant cartoon business involving Rachel getting into trouble. towel because of the downfall of her wedding.

The only flesh-and-blood participant to get out of this mess unharmed is Jim Carrey, who continues to enjoy his chance to become the evil Robotnik. With the kind of rubbery nerve that has always been his evidence and trade, Carrey transforms Robotnik into a psychological cousin of Ace Ventura, all his flailing limbs, exaggerated expressions, and outrageous jokes. . He’s a maniac of laziness and if we’ve seen this routine countless times before, it’s still the most cartoonish aspect of this endeavor, if not racing at high speed but seemingly. like never getting anywhere of note, this despite people constantly talking about the colossal threat the Master Emerald poses to the universe should it fall into the wrong hands.

Buried deep inside Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a message about seeing historical differences in the past (and the biases they create) to build effective alliances in the future. However, Fowler’s adventures are just the surface — a high-octane mix of digital staging and heart-wrenching clumsy performances with crowd-directed candor. adolescent age. Much more than Idris Elba’s functional contribution as the voice of Knuckles, the goofy sides involved in Dr. Robotnik’s (Lee Majdoub) Hench Stone and minions, frequent appearances by Dr. Robotnik (Lee Majdoub) Adam Pally as deputy Wade of Green Hills, or serious product placement (Four Seasons Oahu! Olive Garden!), it’s a combination of incredible wave bands and super-speedy mayhem that is the real calling cards of this series. It’s hard to imagine that mix in anyone but the youngest (or most immature) audience. Then again, underestimating the power of nostalgia is never a good bet – especially when the subject in question can literally run on water.