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that-shamrock-vibe · 5 years ago

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Movie Review: Sonic the Hedgehog (Spoilers)

Spoiler Warning: I am posting this review the day the movie is first released in the U.K, so if you haven’t yet seen the movie do not read on until you have.

General Reaction:

It's difficult with today's movie going audience to predict how movies like Sonic are going to perform and be received. Especially when the ad campaign did absolutely no favours for this movie other than convince Paramount that Sonic needed a more truthful redesign than what they originally put out.

Here's the thing. Sonic the Hedgehog to me is trying to be 2020's Detective Pikachu capitalising on that nostalgia of a beloved classic franchise.

However, I do feel that the haters and internet trolls out there are not going to be able to get past the comparisons this movie draws to 2011's Hop, which was a live-action/CGI-hybrid movie starring James Marsden who becomes the companion of a somewhat overbearing CG creature.

But, I encourage all movie goers, including the haters, to go into this with an open mind...particularly if you have any history with Sonic because you will get some enjoyment and walk away afterwards feeling happy overall.

My personal history with Sonic is slightly less-so than I would like. I played the original 2 SEGA games countless times and did watch some episodes of the earlier animated shows.

Having said that, my main Sonic fandom actually comes from the mid-noughties series Sonic X, which I feel this movie could have adapted but alas. Also I played the Shadow the Hedgehog spinoff game and more recently Smash Bros where I actually won as Sonic recently.

Now this movie reminds me of those shows and games practically in no way. I mean there is that opening sequence where you see Sonic running around and looping like he does in the SEGA games, I do also feel like James Marsden's character could easily be an older version of Chris, the boy from Sonic X, but aside from that, the gold rings and Robotnik...there's not a lot for the Sonic fans to spot.

I can't say this is a perfect movie, because it really is not. There are a lot of super speed gags and some of them do stick but some just fall flat and at times feel repetitive.

The worst crime this movie commits in my opinion is stealing Quicksilver's gimmick of speed scenes. By which I mean there are not one but two occasions when time is slowed down to almost a halt and we see Sonic running around still. They even have songs specific for these scenes.

Also, because I'm not fully aware of every Sonic incarnation, I did not understand why Sonic is effectively The Flash with being able to generate lightning. I mean I understand the laws of physics of generating enough friction can create static but I have never known Sonic to have any electric attacks.

I did like how the static electricity was preserved in his quills when they fell off though. In animation and the games you don’t think about Sonic’s realistic hedgehog qualities such as having quills so it was a nice touch.

I am also aware that Sonic has turned Super Saigen before with the help of the Chaos Emeralds I believe, so the fact we see a similar transformation here is quite good to see for that reason.

In terms of story I do think this is a simple plot that has been done numerous times, Hop is definitely one example that comes to mind, but I feel it’s also a very accessible story for non-Sonic fans.

I don’t know if Longclaw the Owl is an original character or one from Sonic mythology but I did not really vest much interest in her. Baby Sonic I thought was cute, but I refuse to accept anyone saying he is cuter than Baby Yoda as no one is cuter than Baby Yoda.

On the subject of age, it was good to see them acknowledging Sonic’s age for a change as opposed to just presuming because up until now I did always think he was some sort of teenager but this confirms it. If Baby Sonic is around 5-9 years old then Sonic in present day is late teens which makes sense with his temperament.

The gold rings being used as teleportation devices, I don’t know if they’re meant to be in the games but loved their use here.

I enjoyed the use of technology in this movie and particularly Robotnik’s commentary on how technology is more reliable than people which ties into his ultimate fate of being stranded alone without another soul on the planet he is sent to which forces him further into insanity.

The fact Sonic’s story is about fitting into society while James Marsden’s character is about figuring out what’s right in front of him are great parallels and do balance each other out rather well.

Also where he ends up with effectively being part of a family as well as a town hero was a nice way to wrap things up.

However, that mid-credits scene showing the arrival of Sonic’s faithful protege Tails to the real world looking for his friend screams for a sequel, especially if this means that more of Sonic’s companions could be introduced in the future like Knuckles, Shadow or even Rouge the Bat.

Characters:

Dr. Robotnik:

I don’t want to say he is the best character because I feel all four of the main cast members do a great job, but my favourite definitely is Jim Carrey as Robotnik. This is Carrey back on form and there were so many great shades of back when he was at the top of his game in the 90s with work such as Ace Ventura, The Mask and The Grinch.

From his first scene he stole every scene he was in. You could tell that he was taking the role seriously while also having the time of his life with it and this is why, back in the day, he was on such high form.

He may not have been the overweight bald megalomaniac, at least with the latter two not until the end of the movie, but he was the evil genius and mad scientist and almost every line he delivered he nailed.

I think “rockonnaissance” is going to be the new “joygasm” for him but it worked for The Riddler and it works for Robotnik.

I’m also happy he was nicknamed Eggman in the movie by Sonic because of the shape of his drones, I thought it was fitting. I can’t wait for Sonic to see the new bald version.

Sonic:

Yes Sonic is second but I said it before, there were times when he was overbearing.

Ben Schwartz by the way does a fantastic job voicing the character, I know he voices Dewey in the new Ducktales series and also for some reason voices BB-8 in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, but this is my favourite role of his voice is so realistic for a wide-eyed and somewhat innocent “alien” hedgehog.

I enjoyed how when he first came to Earth he was this urban legend around Green Hills who spent those 10 years people watching and either making up nicknames for the citizens while also longing to fit in with them but knowing not to.

Also the movie’s comedy was never as vulgar as Ryan Reynolds or immature as Russell Brand. I think they had one fart joke in the movie but the rest was generic comedy movie material which was hit and miss in comedy.

It was quite touching also that he was so protective of Green Hills and the status quo so much so that when Tom said he was planning on leaving to move to San Francisco, he was so offended and I thought it was going to be that trope of “Oh now they’re going to separate only to discover they need each other later” but instead it was a few digs and then they got over it.

I am so happy they did redesign the character because the movie’s original look for him was horrendous and did make Cats look reasonable whereas this is more like the Sonic everyone knows and I did not realise he didn’t have his traditional running shoes until Jojo, the niece of Tika Sumpter’s character, replaced them for him.

I will keep saying I want a sequel just because I am interested to see where Sonic’s story takes him next, especially with Tails now on Earth and the potentiality that others could join.

The Wachowskis

Again I thought James Marsden and Tika Sumpter did very pleasant jobs. This is my favourite James Marsden performance to date. Up until now his roles have been either corny or simply bland for me but here, yes there were a couple of dodgy jokes and moments but overall I thought Tom was a very likeable character and at the very least a driven character.

His wife Maddie, first of all props to the movie writers for having a mixed-race couple front and centre in the movie. But also, Maddie, who is also an accomplished career woman alongside her accomplished career husband, did not weigh Tom down or the story down as simply being “just the wife”.

I also enjoyed Maddie’s sister and niece, Jojo is quite cute and for the little screentime that she has does well with it for a child her age. While Natasha Rothwell continues to grow in my estimations after her fabulous turn in Love, Simon as the very sassy teacher.

Others:

As for the rest of the cast, this was a great who’s who for spotting the great jobbing actors as Lee Majdoub, Neal McDonough, Michael Hogan and Adam Pally all have minor supporting roles that do not go unnoticed.

Meanwhile Colleen Villard (née O'Shaughnessey), who voices Tails in the video games as well as voicing Wasp in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes series and Sora in the Digimon franchise, reprises her role as the anthropomorphic fox in an uncredited mid-credits scene. I am hoping she returns for the sequel because it is good to hear her acting again.

Recommendation:

I do see a future for this movie in terms of a franchise. I do not quite see it crossing over with Detective Pikachu as I know there were rumblings of some sort of Super Smash Bros. movie cinematic universe.

However, if the movie does warrant a sequel, and with a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 64%, considering this seems to be a deciding factor for some cinema goers, I don’t see why not. I am hoping the future of this franchise does see the introductions of Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge and even Amy.

Potentially also spinning off from this franchise, there could be Donkey Kong, Mega Man and maybe even Mario to create that Super Smash Bros. universe.

Overall I rate the movie 8/10, it’s a great movie and definitely has some rewatchability to it.

Having said that I can see where some cinema snobs or even haters may come from as they inevitably target the movie but I encourage everyone not to be taken in by other people’s opinions, not even mine, make up your own minds and see it for yourself.

So that’s my review of Sonic the Hedgehog, what did you guys think? Post your comments and check out more Movie Reviews as well as other posts.

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melanya-mountain-retreat · 5 years ago

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Whilst on the road to recovery, my newly acquired hound was very weak. During 5 days of hospitalisation, the gastrointestinal disease, Parvovirus, ravaged her insides and the only nourishment was a drip feed. Constant vomiting and diarrhoea had taken their toll and she was in a pathetic state. My appearance at the vets gave her the will to begin eating again, but her throat and stomach must still be tender so rich dog food definitely not wanted. Chicken and rice was the new menu and for the first few days she still only ate from my fingertips. Her weakness was apparent when the Jack Russell appeared. They always play fought and pretended to attack each other but this time she just flopped on the ground and halfheartedly bared her teeth. Though she summoned up strength to bark when she thought he was eating her food!

Day by day, Lapi’s toileting walks got longer and I did as the vet advised and safely disposed of her infectious poo. For this reason I kept her leashed, as I noticed she often expelled 2 or 3 times during the ramble. At first she didn’t mind. Happy to follow scents and most of the time I let her choose the route, which mainly stayed along the well-trodden path. But occasionally veering off into the trees, causing me to duck branches that were deer height, and dodge thorny brambles, making me feel like Indiana Jones!

Going off the beaten track delivered a magical moment, as one day, I followed a ground sniffing dog through the wood and heard a curious noise. Many strange sounds happen in this bio diverse mountain range but I couldn’t imagine the creature making this one. Was it a bird or a mammal? It was coming from above, higher up the slope, at the base of a tree. As I approached quietly, I couldn’t believe my eyes… 2 hedgehogs busying themselves, obviously preparing a nest, chatting away to each other and completely oblivious to me. Until Lapi spotted them and barked! I was so glad she was leashed and the hedgehogs froze while I willed her away.

After a few days, her strength began to return and seeing the little Jack Russell catch sight of something, and run off yapping, was too tantalising. She pulled at the leash and barked, looking back at me as if to say, ‘Why can’t I go?’ I felt terrible but she was still weak and I knew she would over exert herself. Plus there was another reason. Hunting season was closed as it was birthing time for the deer and boar, and as she was a hunter, I was being a responsible dog owner.

In perfect timing, the weather became hot and heavy; humidity keeping Lapi slow and tiring her quickly. Which was good news for me, as even though I’d been walking over 6 miles every day for 2 months, of steep mountainsides weren’t seeming any easier. I decided to vary the walk and took the 2 dogs on a different path. They loved the new bushes to sniff or ‘doggy facebook’ as my friend calls it. As a longer route and more tiring for the dogs in the heat, I left it until the end of the day, but the second time I left it a bit late and dusk was closer than I realised.

The route left the road and descended down through the trees. As we made our way along, suddenly sounds of large animals below us could be heard. Immediately the Jack Russell went bombing down the slope and Lapi was straining to join him; yelping and whining her frustration. I could see dark forms of huge boar, moving in the undergrowth, and from the amount of kafuffle, realised there were several. Concerned for the little dog, I called his name and when his yapping stopped I worried even more. As the light was starting to go, I considered it best to keep moving but kept vocalising so the boar stayed away from me. With a frantic Lapi on a tight rein, walking on the narrow path became rather tricky, but I ventured onward, shouting for Bobche.

Then, in front of me, I saw a small creature running straight towards me. I stood still. ‘It’s the Jack Russell’, I thought but as it got closer I realised the stripy markings were actually a little piglet. It saw me and did a quick 180 to run back the other way. Lapi was beside herself and a good job she’s not bigger or I wouldn’t have been able to hang on. Suddenly, Bobche appeared from behind me and raced past to chase the piglet. More worries now that mummy boar must be nearby, and she would not take kindly to a dog, even though he was the same size as her baby! Female boar are known to be very aggressive when protecting their offspring so I was glad I had a defence weapon beside me. I pressed on, shouting for Bobche, hoping that would keep all the boar at a safe distance and bring the Jack Russell back too.

Thankfully, Bobche turned up, panting heavily and tongue almost on the floor. We made it to the road before dark and without any more challenges. Another mountain adventure!

Lapi & Bobche Having A Well Deserved Drink Of Water

The following week, thunder storms cleared the air and heavy rains put us back on the shorter walks. Lapi livened up with cooler temperatures and sometimes I let her ‘pull’ me along to burn off extra energy and help me ascend the mountain paths. She always walks much further anyway, by criss-crossing paths, doubling back and around, following scents of both wild and domestic animals. These often deviate up inclines too steep or into undergrowth too low for me, but she understands when I say “Ah”, in a short and sharp manner. Without a fuss, she gives up and finds another smell to track.

The vegetation has now shot up making off-path walking more difficult, but has brought out wild mushrooms, colourful meadow flowers with wonderful smelling wild thyme, and spectacular rainbows. Tender Loving Care has good rewards for both the patient and the carer 🙂

Mosaic Puffball Mushrooms

Wild Daisies

Yellow Yarrow and Purple Thyme

Melly

Every Man, Woman & Dog Needs TLC part 2 Whilst on the road to recovery, my newly acquired hound was very weak. During 5 days of hospitalisation, the gastrointestinal disease, Parvovirus, ravaged her insides and the only nourishment was a drip feed.

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