The 90s They don’t understand each other without Sonic. The mascot was, for a decade, the only one capable of standing up to Mario, and the rivalry between Nintendo and Sega defined an entire generation. In ‘Sonic: The Movie 2’ (‘Sonic 2’ from now on) they seem very aware that, as much as the blue hedgehog is now experiencing a second youth thanks to games like ‘Sonic Mania’, his reason for being belongs at 90. For this reason, this sequel, like its first part, seems like a gift that came directly through a time portal from thirty years ago. So simple and thought for the fans… as terribly funny.
The hedgehog in the room
Criticism in the American media has been fierce, and they all pointed to something apparently very serious: ‘Sonic 2’ does not pay attention to its human characters. After seeing the film, these reproaches are clearly misguided. It is not that ‘Sonic 2’ ignores the plots of James Marsden, Tika Sumpter and company: it is that, at this point, they should disappear completely. They slow down the hectic pace, they don’t know what to do with them and they star in the most childish and embarrassing scenes of a second part that aspires to much, much more.
‘Sonic 2’ thrives when there are no traditional human characters on screen. This lack of constriction allows you to fire your imaginationand that is when she herself seems to realize that the material from which she starts is a joy, the freedom they have sensational, the scenarios seem to be taken from a video game (that temple full of traps) and even the designs of the final battle they do not try to hide the affection that all those involved have for the Sega heroes. We can go further: the scenes with actors, Jim Carrey apart, seem, almost without exception, gobs imposed at the last minute from the production company, with plots more typical of a Disney Channel series than the rest of the footage.
In its most successful moments (it is better not to talk about the disastrous ones) you can see what the production tries to do, showing the emotional bond between Tom, James Marsden’s character, and Sonic, but it doesn’t work, it’s cheesy and has no connection to the main plot. The American critics were wrong: it’s not that the human plots are underdeveloped, it’s that they are a mere formality to get to where both writers and viewers want to go. And that’s where this sequel really delivers in style.
what a fox is this fox
When ‘Sonic 2’ focuses on its leading quartet (which, luckily, is most of the time), it shows that everyone is having a great time. The script expands the universe that was raised in the original and introduces new characters, relationships, powers and enemies that work as a perfect gear. Little can be blamed of a film that goes so far with the sole intention of having fun having a blue hedgehog that runs a lot as the absolute protagonist.
Sonic still has the same signs of identity. If it works, don’t fix it– He’s funny, irritating, and has a pop culture savvy that doesn’t fit in with his life (although, honestly, who cares?), though this time there’s an extra effort to give him a little more depth and show his vulnerable side . not working at allespecially in his relationship with his (apparently) new adoptive father, Tom, but it is more than what is done with Tails, an absolutely flat character who only works as an ally and protégé of the hedgehog, without further development.
However, where ‘Sonic 2’ grows is by introducing its enemy duo. On the one hand, Knuckles, an echidna that is the perfect combination of strength, gloomy sadness and stupidity signed by the perfect voice of Idris Elba and the best constructed character in a film where the least important thing is the construction of characters. On the other, Robotnik, a very screwed-up Jim Carrey who you can see that you enjoy each plane playing a villain without any kind of redemption. Only Carrey could have brought him to life in such an exaggerated way and, at the same time, with such conviction. Hopefully a lot more Robotnik in the future.
i understood that reference
You’re not going to get lost in the plot of ‘Sonic 2’ if you’ve never played video games, but you’re going to miss half the fun. And the fact is that the film bets very strongly and very decisively on fanservice, those scenes that we saw in 16 bits brought to the big screen, almost as if we could control them. In addition, the writers do not think they are smarter than the creators of SEGA, and the film is full of common elements with gamesstarting with the Chaos Emerald and ending with scenes in the snow reminiscent of ‘Sonic 3’ and ‘Sonic Adventure’.
The movie not afraid to take your memories and put them on celluloid, but he does it in such a way that it seems natural and well integrated into the plot. Tails has to fly a two-seater plane and Sonic has to stand up on the front wings? Of course there is a perfect justification for it. ‘Sonic 2’ differs from other movies based on video games because not ashamed of what it is. What’s more, he embraces it with enthusiasm and gives his audience what he wants to see without it being an impediment for the rest of the spectators.
Do not take these lines as an indication that it is perfect: it is far from it. There are two parts in particular that are a slowdown in rhythm and coherence, and both have to do with the reaction of the human world to these little animals. In particular, all the wedding scenes seem to be written by an artificial intelligence that has been forced to watch Netflix Christmas romance movies on loop. They’re meaningless, they’re not fun, and they take your attention away from what you really want to see. I have no doubt that these scenes were the decision of a producer afraid that older viewers would get bored of so much harmless action, but they end up weighing down a film that already lasts an excessive two hours. They would have been perfect deleted scenes.
The Sonicverse
Producers have already warned that this is just the beginning of a Sonic Cinematic Universe, and it’s not something new: the character has been living his own adventures for years in the Archie and IDW comics, series (note the irony that the very covered ‘Sonic boom’ carried with it) and the video games themselves. After the already usual post-credits, we can only wait not only for the third part of ‘Sonic’, but also for the Knuckles series and everything that they want to get out of the manga. If they continue with this level of unapologetic funwhy not?
‘Sonic 2’ succeeds because it is aware that it is a concept that should not do it. And yet by accepting their shortcomings and squeezing their virtues, there remains a film that seems to come from the 90s, as simple as it is fun and as exciting as it is forgettable. It has no pretensions of any kind, nor does it want to shock or revolutionize the character or the world of cinema. It is simply, a redoubt of childish joy on a billboard that tends to take itself too seriously these days. Keep things running.
In short
The boring goings-on between the human characters of ‘Sonic 2’ don’t spoil the fun of this film, which doubles the strengths and weaknesses of its predecessor. It is fast, it pays homage to video games without falling into the reference without justification and its new characters work within the simplicity to which we are already accustomed. Will it change your life, revolutionize your senses and make you feel totally new things? No, but that’s not what you want either. Fun, excitement, action and simplicity: Why ask for more from an adaptation of Sonic?