‘Sonic 2’ is the #1 Movie in the World – A Spoiler-Filled Review
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is finally out in theaters and I’m taking every possible opportunity to talk about it.
I’ve already seen it twice so I think I got a pretty good handle on the plot and themes of the movie, which is to say Emeralds and Family, respectively.
A Spoiler Filled Review
As I mentioned in my spoiler-free review, I had two major gripes with the Sonic the Hedgehog film. The first I discussed in that review, but my second major gripe with the movie is actually pretty minor. With the map, when the Longclaw hologram pops out seemingly out of nowhere was very eye rolling. It was very deus ex machina. They never explain why the map suddenly decided to activate, nor why Sonic is suddenly aware that map points to a compass in Siberia. I’m guessing there is a deleted scene we’ll see in the DVD release about that.
At first, I thought the middle section with finding the compass in Siberia felt a little out of place. The dance-off was a fun side segment. This is ostensibly a kid’s movie after all. I was initially unsure about that entire section of the movie. But upon further introspection, I’ve come around. During that whole scene, Sonic and Tails get to do a lot of character building. Then, during the snowboarding sequence afterwards, we, the audience, get to really meet Knuckles.
He’s introduced as this brutish killing machine, but its during that time in Siberia that we learn his honor and duty are his driving forces. It’s also when we start seeing a splintering between him and Robotnik. So while plot wise, it could have been cut, the movie would have been much worse off for it, for having lost that time to let the characters (and us) get to know each other.
During the final sequence when the Master Emerald falls out of Robotnik and it rolls in front of Sonic, I was literally shaking. I knew what was coming and had a really tough time containing myself. Then, when Death Egg Bot goes to smash them and the gold glow starts shining under its foot, I absolutely lost it. Even though Super Sonic only appears for a few minutes, I think it was just the right amount. Super Sonic suffers from a Superman problem of being invincible. But the punch from Death Egg, and the way Sonic just palms it was absolutely perfect.
Finally, one last minor gripe. They really dropped the ball on he music. During the snowboarding scene, I would have loved hearing a rendition of Ice Cap Zone. Similarly, they were so close with the labyrinth. Visually, there was so many similarities. I loved seeing the traps and crystals right from the game. But the music was missing. And, finally, the biggest missed opportunity of all, when Sonic is drowning and they didn’t play the music.
Also, I love the powerful bisexual energy from Agent Stone. They toyed with it in the first movie, but all veils are lifted here. Not only does Stone put little hearts on his latte doodles of him and Robotnik together, but his backlighting always seems very deliberate.
After Credits Scene
In the middle of the movie, they establish G.U.N., and as soon as they did, I knew Shadow would be in the post-credits scene. Even though I was sure it was coming, the reveal was excellent. The lead-up and conversation prior built up to the final shot and left me so amped.
But it does seems like a lot of elements have changed. Presumably, they will drop the whole Maria plot-thread and maybe even avoid the ARK entirely. I could see that being a final set-piece for Sonic 3, but that seems a little too far-fetched. Going to space is always a ‘jump the shark’ moment, so I’m a little worried. But the conversation between Commander Olive Garden and Random Guard definitely imply Shadow is located at some terrestrial coordinates.
Wild Speculations
I could never get through a Sonic 2 review without some wild speculations.
While obviously the next movie will introduce Shadow, I strongly suspect the next movie will also introduce Rouge and Amy. If superhero movies have shown us anything, its that every threequel has multiple villains. And while Shadow and Rouge both aren’t really villains, they suffice well enough. With the inclusion of the Master Emerald, it only makes sense Rogue would show up. That’s her whole thing. But then, the villains can’t outnumber the heroes, so they’ll introduce Amy to keep things fresh and balanced.
Typically, I would be skeptical that Robotnik is dead and gone. However, Jim Carrey has stated he’s retiring from acting. So it does seems like Agent Stone will be taking over. If this is true, I worry the third movie will suffer for it. Carrey’s Robotnik is a huge part of why these movies work. But, they’ve never told us Agent Stone’s first name or his connection to Robotnik.
So, if Agent Stone’s first name turns out to be Snively, I don’t think I’ll ever recover.
