Sonic the Hedgehog
Movie Trailer
Release Date
February 14, 2020
Genre
Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Cast & Crew
- Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic
- James Marsden as Tom Wachowski
- Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski
- Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone
- Adam Pally as Wade Whipple
Director
Jeff Fowler
Other Movies Director is Known For
- Gopher Broke (2004) (short film)
Producer
Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, Takeshi Ito
Writer
Pat Casey, Josh Miller
Budget
Estimated at $85 million
Production Company
Paramount Pictures, Sega Sammy Group, Original Film, Marza Animation Planet
Running Time
99 minutes
Languages
English
Maturity Rating
PG
Content Advisory
- Mild action violence
- Some rude humor
Movie Story
Sonic the Hedgehog is a high-energy, family-friendly adventure that brings the beloved video game character Sonic to the big screen. The film follows Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog with super-speed, who has been hiding out on Earth for years to avoid those who seek to exploit his powers. Despite his attempts to stay out of sight, Sonic’s loneliness and desire for friendship lead him to unintentionally reveal his presence, drawing the attention of the eccentric and villainous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).
The story begins with Sonic living a secretive life in the small town of Green Hills. He spends his days observing the townspeople from afar, particularly the local sheriff, Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), whom Sonic admires but is too afraid to approach. However, when Sonic accidentally causes a massive power outage, he becomes the target of Dr. Robotnik, a mad scientist enlisted by the government to capture the mysterious creature.
As Robotnik closes in, Sonic teams up with Tom, who reluctantly agrees to help the hedgehog escape and retrieve his lost bag of magical rings that can teleport him to different worlds. Together, they embark on a cross-country road trip, forming a friendship along the way as they try to stay one step ahead of Robotnik’s relentless pursuit.
Throughout the film, Sonic and Tom face a series of challenges and comedic situations, from evading Robotnik’s high-tech gadgets to engaging in high-speed chases. The dynamic between Sonic’s youthful exuberance and Tom’s grounded, everyman persona creates a heartwarming and humorous contrast that appeals to both kids and adults.
Dr. Robotnik, portrayed with over-the-top flair by Jim Carrey, serves as the film’s primary antagonist. His obsession with capturing Sonic and harnessing his powers drives the action, leading to a climactic showdown between the two in San Francisco. The film’s conclusion sets the stage for potential sequels, with Sonic finding a new home with Tom and his wife, Maddie (Tika Sumpter), while Robotnik is left plotting his revenge.
Special Effects
The special effects in Sonic the Hedgehog are central to bringing the titular character and his world to life. After an initial design controversy, Sonic was redesigned to be more faithful to his video game appearance, which was well-received by fans. The film effectively uses CGI to create Sonic’s super-speed sequences, which are visually engaging and add to the excitement of the action scenes. The depiction of Dr. Robotnik’s various gadgets and vehicles also benefits from the film’s special effects, contributing to the overall fun and fast-paced feel of the movie.
Box Office Performance
Sonic the Hedgehog was a commercial success, grossing over $319 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation of its time. The film’s box office performance was bolstered by its appeal to both fans of the video game franchise and general audiences, as well as the positive reception of Jim Carrey’s performance as Dr. Robotnik. Despite being released shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, the film managed to draw large audiences and received praise for its entertaining and family-friendly approach.
Filming Locations
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada (Green Hills scenes)
- San Francisco, California, USA
Notable Quotes
- “I’m Sonic. A little ball of super energy in an extremely handsome package.” – Sonic
- “I was spitting out formulas while you were spitting up formula.” – Dr. Robotnik
- “I’m going to uncover the source of its power!” – Dr. Robotnik
Behind-the-Scenes
The production of Sonic the Hedgehog faced challenges early on, particularly with the initial design of Sonic, which was met with significant backlash from fans due to its deviation from the character’s iconic look. The filmmakers responded to the criticism by redesigning Sonic, delaying the film’s release to ensure the character was more in line with fan expectations. This decision was widely praised and contributed to the film’s success. Jim Carrey’s return to a comedic, over-the-top role as Dr. Robotnik was also a highlight, with his performance being one of the most talked-about aspects of the film.
Awards
- Nominated for Critics’ Choice Super Awards (Best Villain in a Movie – Jim Carrey)
- Nominated for Saturn Award (Best Film Editing)
Final Verdict
Sonic the Hedgehog is a fun, action-packed movie that successfully translates the beloved video game character to the big screen. With its engaging storyline, well-executed special effects, and strong performances—especially from Jim Carrey—this film offers an entertaining experience for viewers of all ages. The film strikes a good balance between fan service and accessibility, making it a must-watch for fans of the franchise and a solid choice for family movie night.
IMDb Rating
6.5/10