Sonic the Hedgehog Delayed Review

Sonic the Hedgehog

A movie about a fast extraterrestial hedgehog based on the video game character from Sega. It is much better than I expected. It opens on an alien planet (that may as well be Mobius, but that name wasn't mentioned), where Sonic is a young child being brought up by an owl named Longclaw. However, his speed powers mean that others on the island want to get them, so Longclaw sends him to places where he may be safe. This early scene was definitely done very well. He eventually ends up on Earth, outside the small town of Green Hills, Montana.

(A cool reference there.) Here, we are introduced to some of the townsfolk (via Sonic talking bout them), including the Sherrif Tom Wachowski and his wife Maddie. Tom is introduced as wanting to do more than what Green Hills has to offer (including pointing his speed gun at a tortoise). However, the story gets moving when Sonic realises that despite hanging around Green Hills and, sort of, interacting with it's residents (including a 'Crazy Carl), he is desperately lonely. As he reaslises this, he accidentally releases an EMP that blacks out several states.

Thus he gains the attention of the United States Government, or more specifically, the military, who want to deal with what caused that EMP. They in turn, despite misgivings that may turn out to prudent, call in Dr. Ivo Robotnik, an insufferable genius with robotics. All this attention causes Sonic to prepare to leave Earth via a bag of magic rings, but an encounter with Tom causes him to accidentally drop them through a portal to San Francisco. This scene in which Sonic accidentally get shot by Tom (with a tranquiliser gun) is quite good.

Thus begins the road trip portion of the film. Tom had planned to go to San Francisco anyway, as he had felt, limited, in Green Hills and had applied to join the SFPD. He is shocked by Sonic appearing in his garage, but is able to escape when Robotnik arrives whilst tracking the hedgehog. They set out on their trip, as Sonic can't go there directly, he doesn't know where he's going. So, they travel overland to San Francisco. First night, they get involved in a bar fight. The use of bullet time here isn't identical to other film's depictions.

They then continue going towards San Francisco. Robotnik gives chase. That he would get information from those at the bar would be obvious. Designing his robots keep going despite damage goes a little overboard, but it's consistent with his character (from the games and various animated series). The way Sonic discovers his spin attack was funny, and it was also believable. The way he and Tom deal with the robot as it kept on going despite damage was done well. (Even if Tom's SUV is 'totalled').

San Francisco. Meeting Maddie at her sister's place, they go to the Transamerica Building to get the rings. (Not sure what to make of Rachel being vehmently against Maddie's marriage to Tom.) But Robotnik is still hot on Sonic's trail, and corners them on the roof. This scene was done very well. Sonic gets the rings, but then Robotnik fires the missiles. This leads into another chase sequence. Sonic pushes Tom and Maddie off the edge, through a portal back to Green Hills. He then leads Robotnik through another portal to the Great Wall of China.

Thus begins another chase through the ring portals. From China to Egypt (where Robotnik accidentally destroys the Sphnix) and back to China again. Sonic's surprise at this was well done, as was the overall chase sequence. There wasn't too much CGI. It eventually ends, where it began, at Green Hills, leading into a final sequence with Tom, Maddie and the townsfolk. This whole sequence in Green Hills was very well done, especially the choreography as both Sonic and Tom try to outwitt Robotnik. The characters also shine, particularly Wade and 'Crazy Carl'.

The resolution, in which Tom tricks Robotnik through the portal to the Mushroom planet was done well. The Government disavowing Robotnik as as result of his actions was believable. (And it's a good thing that Tom and Maddie adopted Sonic. 8.5/10.

The mid credit scene with Tails was very good too.