Stranded on Earth after losing his protector and mother figure, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), an anthropomorphic hedgehog raises himself in the forests of Green Hills, Montana. He spends the next few years scavenging for food and stalking local sheriff Tom (James Marsden) and his wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter). His loneliness and isolation cause him to lash out, causing a power surge that draws the attention of the U.S. Government, in particular the brilliant but demented mind of Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). While trying to use one of his magic rings to escape Earth, Sonic is shot with a tranquilizer dart by Tom, accidentally causing the rings to land on a skyscraper in San Francisco. With Tom's reluctant help, Sonic has to find a way to evade the mad scientist and retrieve his one-way ticket to safety.
It all started last year with the release of a trailer and the misguided executive decision to show the public a version of Sonic The Hedgehog that looked nightmarish, somewhat realistic and not all that great. While my reaction wasn't as over-the-top as others was, it was universally agreed upon that it could have been better. After months of redesigning, the new look for Sonic was a marked improvement and the artists behind it deserve all the credit in the world.
With everything being said about the redesign, it was clear that any changes would be cosmetic. The film, as a whole, would be largely left alone. In which case, everything else we saw from the trailers was what we would get. The premise of "normal live-action human interacts with cartoon/CG animal for wacky hijinks/road trip" movies is not exactly breaking new ground in terms of subgenres. See Yogi Bear, the Alvin and The Chipmunks movies, Hop (which also stars James Marsden) and The Smurfs for the more notable examples. However, even if something appears to be yet another in a long line of formulaic, plot-by-numbers movies, sometimes a film can surprise you by being better than you thought. Not spectacular by any means, but not having you leave the theater wanting to punch actual hedgehogs.
It's all been done before, and it's certainly true here. Road trip movies are a dime a dozen, Live-action/animated mashups are plentiful and family friendly stories about what makes a friend or family or finding a true home. The key to a quality movie-going experience, at least in my opinion, is in how the movie engages with you, if it does at all. While movies like Woody Woodpecker, Yogi Bear, and Alvin and The Chipmunks didn't really do it for me, there's a charm to Sonic the Hedgehog that makes it at least an enjoyable romp for me. Even if they borrow scenes from X-Men when Sonic seemingly slows down time to pull pranks or save Tom from either a bar fight or Robotnik's onslaught.
Ben Schwartz nails the childlike energy and immature nature of Sonic. He's practically raised himself on Flash comic books, pop culture osmosis, and hiding in the shadows. It's not unlike an introvert wanting to be part of a crowd or community, but always feeling like an outsider. It's different in Sonic's case, as he was instructed by his mother figure to always remain hidden. While he does like to play the occasional prank, Sonic enjoys the spotlight and is naturally outgoing, leading to his mounting frustration.
Jim Carrey's Dr. Robotnik is also full of fun, entertaining manic energy. When I saw Carrey's antics, it made me feel young again while he was playing The Mask or Ace Ventura. He fully commits to the insanity of the character, especially at the end. In contrast to Sonic, he is someone who likes to be alone with his machines and finds people annoying, stupid and tedious. Seeing his efforts stymied by those he deems inferior to himself enrages Robotnik. Even when James Marsden's Tom gives us a cliched, "Sonic is more human than you" type speech about friendship, it simply doesn't register to the rabid robot creator. He cannot grasp the need or desire for companionship.
James Marsden's Sheriff Tom spends the movie dreaming of being a San Francisco cop and being a hero. He dreams of leaving behind Green Hills and getting calls to do seemingly menial work for its townspeople. With Sonic being thrust in his life, he learns the typical lesson one does in these situations about where one's home truly lies. A more cynical mind will think that the message of the film is "have no ambitions beyond your stations" but honestly, the character suffers mainly from being bored with his career and thinking he needs a change. And, as in life, change comes from an unexpected source.
Sonic The Hedgehog is a fun, entertaining way to kill ninety minutes, especially if you happen to have kids or are a fan of the character. While it's true, the story is ground that has been tread before many, many times, it still can be an enjoyable ride, a lot like when you go through Green Hills Zone's first level. It feels familiar, but it's still a good time from beginning to end.
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