The film picks up where the last movie left off, where Dr. Ivo “Robotnik” Eggman attempting to escape his isolation on the Mushroom Hill Zone. The opening scene is hilarious right out of the gate; especially with the alternate opening that’s surfaced online.
He finds a way off-planet, with the aid of Knuckles the Echidna. Though not the first time the Doctor has tricked him, this time introduces new elements into the fray; which I will get to later. One constant is that they have a mutual adversary in Sonic; and a common desire for the Chaos Emeralds.
Back on Earth, we rejoin Sonic in Seattle; breaking up would-be bank robbers under the alias “Blue Justice.” The whole scene is a great showcase of comedic action, and I especially like the use of Run-DMC’s “It’s Tricky.”
Speeding back to Green Hills, he goes fishing with Tom Wachowski; and the two bond, talking about it what it really means to be a hero.
Elsewhere, Stone is working at a coffeehouse known as the Mean Bean Machine- yay for alluding to that puzzle game spinoff; which is essentially the American version of Puyo Puyo.
Anyway, Tom and his wife Maddie are about to head to Hawaii to attend the wedding of their in-laws. Sonic has to watch the place while they’re gone; and I like the Easter eggs from the games here already; with Sonic’s skateboard and styling his quills in the guise of his low-polygon early 3D games. Also, remember the rings he gives to Tom and Maddie, it will be important later.
In the hills, Miles “Tails” Prower appears; making good on his promise to find Sonic; who is none the wiser about the impending danger while listening to Montell Jordan.
However, his days of binge-watching movies with the dog while riffing a la his actor’s time on Parks and Recreation is short-lived when Eggman and Knuckles show up at his door.
After some banter, a fight ensues; and there are parallels with their first encounter in Sonic X. Tails is able to scoop up Sonic before it’s too late; commandeering a car with a gadget of his own design.
I really like how this movie handles Tails- not just how he invented his gear; but how he sees Sonic as a best friend and big brother. Though the exact conditions of them meeting are different in each version (Sonic Origins added a new cutscene detailing their first encounter); that is the one constant between them all.
A chase ensues, and Knuckles crashes through a truck for Splash Hill Spring Water. Nice nod to Sonic 4; which were actually pretty nice examples of “retro reimagined” games. Too bad they only made two episodes; but Mania more than made up for it.
Eggman and Knuckles meet up with Stone; and after gearing up (and a brief scene of Eggman doing a Fortnite dance), Sonic and Tails need to find the Emeralds before Eggman does.
Back in Hawaii, Tom is bonding with Rachel’s fiancé Randall (Shemar Moore). There’s even a volleyball game that wouldn’t be out of place in Top Gun. All that’s missing is some Kenny Loggins in the soundtrack.
Uncovering a hologram message from Sonic’s guardian Longclaw; he and Tails find the first clue to the Emeralds in Siberia; along with a warning: the Emeralds combine into the Master Emerald, which can grant the holder what they desire most; and contains power that can cause great chaos in the wrong hands. So, I totally called it that these would be Sega taking a recognizable aspect of the games and making them their own Infinity Stones.
Sonic and Tails reach Siberia; and naturally, the scene where they show up at the lodge all bundled up has become one of the many memes this movie spawned.
Unbeknownst to Sonic, Eggman and Knuckles are tracking their texts. So… not a stretch really. After a brief mixup with Tails’ digital assistant and the map; the two find themselves in a dance-off. Fortunately, with some quick thinking and Sonic putting on some Mark Ronson; they win the map back and the trust of all the others in the lodge. We even get the Sonic Adventure pose!
Resting until the blizzard breaks up, the two reach the first clue; with Knuckles and Eggman right behind them! The snowboard chase is another standout scene; being a huge callback to the Ice Cap Zone, one of my favorite recurring stages in the series.
Knuckles also reveals that he lost his family the same day Sonic did; and while him being the last of his kind is a recurring element from the games and other adaptations; he’s put through the wringer even more than usual this time.
An avalanche occurs, and the ring Sonic gave Tom helps him and Tails escape with their lives! However, it turns out the whole wedding was a front; with Randall really being a mercenary for GUN! I kind of figured that they’d make an appearance with all the Sonic Adventure Easter eggs in both movies so far. The Chief of Staff from the last movie is also in charge of their unit; taking Sonic and Tails into custody! I also figured they’d basically be the SHIELD of this franchise.
The next clue is also in Hawaii, and Sonic and Tails must escape to find it! While Rachel is still peeved about what happened in the last movie; she does agree to help the escape plan to get back at basically being catfished. The movie’s words and mine.
While Tom and Maddie help free Sonic and Tails (especially since the latter was injured in their escape); Rachel has a bone to pick with being used in more ways than one by Randall. She crashes into their reception stage in a golf cart; downing the bubbly like it’s a 40-ounce. Disclaimer: I do not endorse and/or encourage doing this for real; but I do find it hilarious. Also a great use of “Barracuda” by Heart, a song I really enjoy.
Since Tails hasn’t fully recovered, Sonic; not wanting his new friend to get hurt anymore, goes after the Emeralds himself. Though he’s still not big on water; he is able to find the coordinates to its location. It uses elements from the Labyrinth Zone, the Aquatic Ruin Zone, Hydro City and Marble Garden Zones and the Lost World from the first Sonic Adventure.
Sonic finds the Master Emerald; and we get another fight with Knuckles as its guardian! Knuckles only realizes he’s been had once Eggman claims the Emerald for himself! I must say, the air bubbles are a nice touch; and the music score has a really good arrangement of the drowning music as they escape from the collapsing ruins.
Tails comes to, and taking the plane that was at the wedding; flies Sonic and Knuckles back to the mainland. The Tornado, and Sky Chase Zone- didn’t even have to reach for those ones. Eggman, glowing green in a new suit from the Emerald’s power; forges the Death Egg robot from the material around him! The three heroes unite to stop this mechanical final boss; which is piloted in this version by Jim Carrey doing his best G Gundam/Jaeger impression. If he really is retiring after this movie, least he’s leaving us laughing.
As Sonic reclaims the Chaos Emeralds and his rings (after dropping them during the fight in Siberia), we get the worst-kept secret of the movie- Super Sonic! I was able to dodge most of the spoilers for this part; though the merchandise did slip through (everything from the McDonald’s premiums to the high-end collector statues).
The Death Egg is destroyed and Eggman is once again sent packing; and Tails and Knuckles join Sonic’s family with a friendly ballgame and the Master Emerald safely back in their hands (and their cooler). The credits roll to another 16-bit animated sequence set to “Stars in the Sky” by Kid Cudi.
The stinger reveals a setup for the upcoming third film, which reveals that GUN has found something else at a black site: Shadow the Hedgehog! Keanu Reeves is also the frontrunner to voice him, which should make a fine addition to his other roles (including Neo, John Wick, Theodore “Ted” Logan and Johnny Silverhand, to name a few).
Naturally, this movie was another big hit; building upon the success of the first; much like its video game source material. To date, the film has made $190 million domestically and over $401 million worldwide on its $110 million budget. As I have just mentioned, a third film is in development; as well as a spinoff series centered around Knuckles for Paramount Plus. I also don’t have a problem with the filmmakers breaking sequence to adapt future stories; as people making comic book films don’t adapt every single story that’s ever been published. They pick specific elements that work on film for the story they want to tell; often using entire plot lines for narrative and tone. With that in mind, I’m not sure who I would want to play Maria Robotnik (most likely a younger, lesser-known actress); but my first choice for Gerald Robotnik would be Ben Mendelson.
With that, this movie joins its senior and 2019’s “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” among the few live-action video game adaptations to get roundly positive critical and commercial success. Sega has also expressed interest in having other games they make adapted; with the Shin Megami Tensei/Persona series currently being shopped around as you see this. Thank you letting me share this with you all, and I will be back soon. Take care, everyone.
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