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Review: Sonic The Hedgehog 2

After complications surrounding Sonic’s teeth, the first movie was released to wide ranging praise, a instant family favourite, much down to the superb Jim Carrey who exploded out of the screen like we haven’t seen since his heyday in the likes of Ace Ventura, Dumb & Dumber, The Mask and Liar Liar. With the built in gamer audience as well, it was a recipient for success despite the production issues and of course the inevitable sequel is now here.

After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove that he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of a mystical emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

With James Marsden & Tika Sumpter sidelined into a side plot (Involving her sisters marriage) this time to allow Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and Dr. Robotnik’s (Jim Carrey) feuding to take centre stage, a sensible decision especially with Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessy) & Knuckles (Idris Elba) joining the fray.

Sonic 2 definitely improves on the original and some of the bigger set pieces are great fun to watch. Of course Carrey once again is the universe that the film revolves around and it’s a real joy to see Jim Carrey unchained and going full tilt once more. Every scene he’s in the film elevates to a much more enjoyable experience.

Jeff Fowler has really found a niche for himself with family animated favourites . His next project The Pink Panther will likely be more of the same as Sonic, but if it’s constructed like Sonic 2 then, his success will continue. A lot will ride on the casting of Closeau, but we digress. Fowler allows the action to breath around him and manages shoehorn inseveral knowing nods to Bond, Indiana Jones, Goonies & Marvel among others .

By the time the end credits roll and Sonic 3 is set up (Wait for the mid-credits sequence people) you will have left the cinema with a smile on your face as Sonic 2 manages to confidentially make strides rather than rehash what happened in the first movie.

And any family film that manages to get Pantera’s ‘Walk’ into a film deserves an extra half star for the sheer audacity.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Is In Cinemas Nationwide

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