‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Movie Review Roundup: Fun If Uninspired Tribute To Gaming Classic

Sonic the Hedgehog, the movie adaptation of the classic video game series, is now playing in theaters. The film revolves around Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), a blue, speedy hedgehog who tries to adjust to his new life on Earth. There, he meets a new friend named Tom (James Marsden), and two of them must work together to stop the maniacal Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). The film was initially scheduled to be released in November of last year, but after many online mocked and criticized Sonic’s design, the film was delayed to redesign the speedy hedgehog. The long awaited film has now been released, and while the reviews are mixed, many critics recognize the film for what it is – a light-hearted, by-the-numbers, kid-friendly romp.

“Respectful of the rich history of the brand and yet welcoming to newcomers, Sonic the Hedgehog is a feel-good buddy movie for both adults and their own little aliens. ‘Nailed it!’ screams Sonic at one point and that might be a fitting summary for the film.”

– Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press

“The movie shines when it remembers it’s based on a video game, and there’s some genuinely fun stuff — like when Sonic uses his time-stopping powers or Robotnik’s elaborate ‘evil-plotting’ montage that makes you wonder why more movies don’t feature bad guys with choreographed dance sequences. Carrey plays up Robotnik as the cartoon villain he is, and it’s a true delight to watch him in his element… But when most of the movie takes place in nondescript city-ville (comes in two flavors: small town and big concrete buildings ‘n streets), it’s hard to not to think back to the lush Emerald Hill Zone planet the movie showcased for maybe 30 seconds. I wish it took place there instead. Sonic the Hedgehog could have gone from a good to a great movie not by bringing Sonic into the human world, but by bringing audiences into his.”

– Dami Lee, The Verge

“Yes, the version of Sonic The Hedgehog zipping into theaters a few hours from now is much less unpleasant to look at than the one unveiled to widespread ridicule last year… Then he opens his mouth, and you maybe wish those ghastly teeth were still there, if only to distract from the lazy wisecracks, pop culture references, and earnest clichés that come flooding out. Sonic’s first line of dialogue? ‘I know what you’re thinking,’ uttered in voice-over and slathered on top of a freeze frame of the climax. Yes, it’s that kind of movie: a nattering chore of a ‘family’ comedy that feels written by committee and directed by indifferent machine.”

– A. A. Dowd, The AV Club

Sonic the Hedgehog is rated PG.