Cinephile № 846 “Sonic: The Hedgehog”

Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM

Plot: “After discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him.” -IMDB

Review: I am not sure of the intended target audience for “Sonic: The Hedgehog.” Part nostalgia vehicle for 90’s youth and part cementing of a cultural icon in the same vein as Mario and Mickey, I assume this film had a few things in mind. First, it attempts to provide an origin story feeding the needs of those who have followed this story for nearly three decades. Secondly, the writing and humor are squarely directed at kids, which let me know this an attempt at making Sonic fresh in the eyes of a new generation. Finally, it attempts to do some world-building in line with a franchise that can only be understood by absorbing the cut scene following the final boss battle with Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).

No matter its intention, it manages to do something very few movies based on video games have been able to achieve. By creating a watchable movie filled with heart and humor, it succeeds where so many other films have failed. Much of this work falls squarely on the shoulders of Jim Carrey. His pursuit of Sonic and his rings is evil, hilarious, and out of this world (exactly how a 90’s video game villain should be played). Thanks to his…