Talent Talk Exciting New SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Sequel: ‘It Is Epic’
By Movieguide® Staff
The all-star cast of the first SONIC THE HEDGEHOG movie—based on the classic SEGA video game—and new faces said that SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 ups the ante in every way.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 is a terrific sequel to the hit 2020 action comedy. This time, a red alien warrior named Knuckles helps Dr. Robotnik escape the mushroom planet. Knuckles is the last of the race that destroyed the race of owl aliens who protected Sonic. Knuckles and Robotnik are after an emerald of immense power. Sonic teams up with Miles, a fox alien with two tails, to reach the emerald before Robotnik and Knuckles do.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 is a cute, funny action comedy with lots of jeopardy and humor. The script is well-written, with excellent character development, and the cast does a wonderful job. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 has a strong moral, pro-family worldview. Finally, the priest at the wedding makes the Sign of the Cross in one shot, which honors the submission of mind, heart and strength that Christian believers make to their Father in Heaven, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, by the power of the Holy Spirit. SONIC 2 has some light foul language and strong action, cartoon violence, so, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for children.
Actor Jim Carrey, who plays the villain, Dr. Robotnik, said that the first movie gave confidence to filmmaker Jeff Fowler to explore the beloved video game world further.
“Since the first film came out, I think people have fallen in love with the idea of this being actually brought to life,” Carrey said. “I think [fans] saw right out of the gate that we were concerned about what they felt and how they felt about how the characters are depicted. I certainly want to do a good job with Robotnik so that they feel they got the experience of it coming to life. I love that.”
Carrey added that while the gaming community is hard to appease, they are loyal when they like a product.
“Gamers are really dedicated,” he said. “Once they love something they are the best kind of fans. I mean, they really are religious about it, and you better make them happy, you know? So I hope they’re happy with it. I think it’s going to a cool place and, and I think Sonic turned out to be a really cool collaboration between the fans and the creators.”
James Marsden, who plays Tom in the movies, added: “I was very excited to step back into Tom’s boots and revisit Greenhills again. The first film was a lot of fun, but it was uncharted territory for all of us. We were still figuring out what story we’re gonna tell, what he’s gonna look like… the movie was released in March, and it was one of the last films in theaters before the pandemic hit and it was a big success.
“Coming back for a second one is always more fun, because you’re less nervous about whether or not people are going to like it,” he continued. “So we get to have a little more fun in front of the camera, which ultimately the fans get to enjoy as well.”
Marsden said that while Sonic and Tom have a “buddy” relationship in the first movie, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 explores a father and son dynamic.
“He’s is one of the characters that’s more like who I am in real life, in that I’m a father of three,” Marsden said. “This sort of buddy relationship that Tom had with Sonic the first time around has now evolved into more of a father son relationship in the second film. Tom has taken on this sort of father figure for Sonic and he gets to feel welcomed into this family and everything that comes along with that… It’s a nice sort of familial thing that they get to share together.”
“I get to take some of my things I learned as being a father in real life, and incorporate them into this role,” he added. “I think the perfect relationship between a child and a parent is one where they both respect each other, and they can both learn from each other. And that’s why I think that Tom and Sonic have.”
A newcomer to the movie franchise is actress Colleen O’Shaughnessey, who plays Sonic’s best friend from the video games, Tails.
“What I love most about Tails is his willingness to be there for Sonic at any given moment,” she said. “He’s so loyal and he’s so sweet. He’s spunky and he’s willing to jump in even if he’s afraid.”
O’Shaughnessey added that SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 should be watched in theaters, just like the first installation.
“This film really needs to be seen in the theater. It is epic. It’s got action, it’s got heart, it’s got funny, but the movie going experience is that much more in a theater,” she said. “Audiences are going to get action, they’re going to get good versus bad. They’re going to get friendship development, they’re going to get funny, they’re going to get heartfelt. It ranges with emotion and action and peril and all of the things and if you’re a video game fan, you’re going to get easter eggs like you would not believe.”
A portion of the Movieguide® Award-Nominated prequel, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, reads:
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a comedy based on the beloved character from Sega Video Games. Sonic comes to Earth to escape those who want to steal his speed. One day, Sonic’s super-speed produces an electric current that turns off the electricity for the entire Pacific Northwest. Sonic teams up with a local police officer named Tom to run away from an evil doctor the government hired to find the source of the outage. Now, Sonic must go to another planet for safety. However, as Sonic gets to know Tom and Tom’s wife, he starts to think he can’t leave Earth just quite yet.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a delightful, funny, heartwarming family comedy. It has a strong moral worldview that stresses friendship, protecting others and going out on a limb to help a friend in need. The movie also extols the commitment of marriage and overcoming the chaos of each season with your spouse. The humanist, narcissistic villain relies heavily on science and massages his own ego by thinking his technological achievements make him better than everyone else. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a fun, uplifting family movie.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
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Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
