Sonic carries on from where he left off with 2020’s last pre-Covid blockbuster hit – by firing out more of the same.
And that’s no bad thing, as the original film was surprisingly impressive – compared to previous video-game-to-movie attempts at least – as the iconic SEGA hedgehog brings some of his legendary gaming character pals into the fray for the sequel.
Impatient Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) is trying to help fight crime in the city – with mixed results – as he wants to use his super-speed powers for the greater good, but his guardian Tom (James Marsden) advises him to keep his abilities at bay until they are really needed.
Unsurprisingly that will be pretty soon as Jim Carrey’s (once again on classic form) evil Dr Robotnik – now under his more familiar Dr Eggman guise – has escaped after being banished to the Mushroom Planet, and in the process combined forces with the Idris Elba-voiced Echidna, Knuckles, who is even stronger than his nemesis Sonic.
And to make matters worse the newly-formed duo are seeking the fabled world-conquering Master Emerald.
With Tom and his wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter) currently holidaying in Hawaii – which provides a sub-plot involving her sister Rachel’s (Nathasha Rothwell) impending marriage to cock-sure fiancée Randall (Shemar Moore) – fortunately Sonic gets aided in his quest in Green Hills and beyond, from tech-savvy anthropomorphic Fox and superfan, Miles ‘Tails’ Prower.
And even though everything turns out stereotypically as expected, it’s once again done in a colourfully zany and notably humorous fashion that gives the franchise a certain infectious charm.
“You’re about as much use as a backstage pass at a Limp Bizkit concert,” Carrey mutters hilariously at one point, proving there’s a little bit in there for all ages.
But for the target demographic in particular, it’s absolutely spot-on – my eight-year-old son Joshua rated it ‘10 out of 5’ to put it into context – and for the rest of us it’s a perfectly pleasant adventure that does what an Easter holidays family movie should.
It doesn’t quite have the ‘wow’ factor the first film did as it’s merely a continuation – but there’s definitely a third part coming.
And I’d definitely be game for that.
ESP Rating: 3/5
Gavin Miller
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, Tom Butler & Colleen O’Shaughnessey
Running Time: 2 Hr 2 Mins
Director: Jeff Fowler
Go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for all the latest film information and show times at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux.
