Can you keep up with Sonic the Hedgehog?

Disclaimer: The Fandads were invited to an advance screening of Sonic the Hedgehog. All thoughts, opinions, and laughter are our own. 

Last year we were all treated to the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog and the internet went crazy. Now it did not go crazy in a good way, it went crazy due to the way Sonic looked on the screen. We all know that Sonic is a video game character and has only been seen in a digital and animated version, but a live-action version did not translate how many fans wanted to see him.

Since Sonic did not look the way the world felt he needed to look, the original release of the movie was delayed for the animation department to redo the Sonic animation. Was the movie worth the wait? Did the new Sonic design look better than the old design? We'll get into that a little later in our quick review.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a story that we all have seen before: an outsider who lives among the people longing to be part of them and then something happens where he unites with one of the people to save his life, the world, or something that they hold deeply. It's kind of like an updated E.T. but with a speedy, blue hedgehog instead of an alien.

To be honest, I went into the movie hoping that it would at least be good and I walked out enjoying it more than I thought I would. The movie was very entertaining and Ben Schwartz, who voices Sonic, brought a lot of warmth and humor to the character that I wanted to switch places with James Marsden and go on this adventure with Sonic. There were some cool nods to the video game and it was great to see that the rings were something of importance and not just an item that he had to collect while running....well he does do that in one scene, but it was vital to the movie.

Now we can not talk about Sonic without talking about the villain, Dr. Robotnik played by Jim Carrey. It has been a while since we have seen Jim on the big screen and it was fun seeing him camp it up with his co-stars and the animated Sonic. Jim Carrey pretty much steals each scene he is in and looks like he is having fun being the super-smart government agent that holds his brilliance over everybody. When he is not hunting down Sonic it is hilarious seeing him tease his number one, Agent Stone. (There's a funny pun with this agent during the end scene of the movie)

Final Thoughts: Sonic is a fun family movie that gives us a familiar story with new characters. The connection between Marsden and Sonic is pretty great and you kind of wish you were their best friends at the end of the movie. Jim Carrey is great as Dr. Robotnik and hopefully, this will be the beginning of a new franchise. There were some ads in the movie that felt a little forced and might make you roll your eyes when you see them. Make sure you stay for the mid-credits scene.

Kid-Friendly: There is nothing really scary in this movie. The beginning might be a little intense when Sonic and Longclaw are ambushed by mysterious attackers. There is one fart joke that took me by surprise and a few questionable words that might cause an eyebrow raise. My 6 and 10-year-old enjoyed the movie and wanted to see it again when it was over.

Violence: There is animated violence that you would be familiar with if you have seen movies like The Incredibles, Despicable Me, or the recent Marvel movies. There is a fight in the bar scene that is reminiscent of the Quicksilver scenes in the recent X-Men movies, but nothing too violent.

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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a live-action adventure comedy based on the global blockbuster videogame franchise from Sega that centers on the infamously brash bright blue hedgehog. The film follows the (mis)adventures of Sonic as he navigates the complexities of life on Earth with his newfound – human – best friend Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). Sonic and Tom join forces to try and stop the villainous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from capturing Sonic and using his immense powers for world domination. The film also stars Tika Sumpter and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic.