Sonic's big-screen debut in 2020 was so successful that Sega's blue blur is now officially a movie star.
His new film Sonic the Hedgehog 2 arrives globally in cinemas soon. If you're still on the fence about whether or not you'll see the new one, the good news is the review embargos have now lifted. We've rounded up a selection of them into a single post.
Below is a mix of movie and games critic reviews:
Our friends over at VGC said it delivered "heart and authenticity" that was missing from the original film, awarding it 4/5 stars:
"Sonic 2 is a bigger, bolder and more confident sequel that, as well as being a thoroughly enjoyable family movie, delivers the heart and authenticity that fans of the game series felt was missing from the original."
The Hollywood Reporter said it was "frantic fun", even if it wasn't necessarily as ground breaking as the original:
"Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will appeal to family audiences seeking holiday distractions even if it doesn’t break new ground elaborating the franchise’s sprawling universe of intersecting characters and plotlines."
Variety wasn't quite as impressed, but still thinks movie adaptations of Sonic have plenty of promise:
"An hour and a half would’ve been a perfectly fine run time, whereas at two hours and change, “Sonic 2” wears out its welcome well before it turns into yet another phone-it-in franchise entry "
"A word of advice to the studio: Don’t rush it. Audiences were appreciative when you took the time to redo the design of the CG Sonic, and they’ll wait as long as it takes to do right by characters they’ve already dedicated so many hours to playing at home."
GamesRadar+ gave the "snappy sequel" 3/5 stars:
"In truth, the original just edges out the sequel...But this snappy sequel proves Sonic’s race isn’t run yet. Far from it."
And finally, CNET praised Sonic 2 for capturing a "childhood sense of adventure" and can't wait for more:
"Despite this diversion, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the confident sequel the original left me hoping for, with a sharper script and jokes that'll leave you giggling. It maintains the original's family friendly tone and dives into the classic games to create a cinematic universe for Sega's beloved icon — that '90s sense of adventure lives on."
A lot of reviews have also told fans to stick around after the credits. So if you do go and watch it, don't leave the cinema right away. Will you be checking out Sonic's second big screen adventure? Leave a comment down below.
Comments 31
So good but not great?
I own the first movie, but haven't seen it yet.
Edit: No, guys. It's not because I don't want to watch, but more because I haven't gotten a chance to see it.
I’m going to an early screening on April 6th, I’m so excited! I’m really curious what the post-credits scene is.
the first one was already so bad, can't imagine the second one is any better
The scores are mixed but thats fine, I'm just glad to hear it wasn't a dumpster fire! Its a video game movie, and if there going to get better? If there actually getting rated well, I'm all for it!
I can't wait to see it at some point.
6.333/10.. two tails up..
Empire online have given it 2 stars. They say it’s a half term cash in with only Jim Carrey almost saving it.
They often mark movies on the low side So it may just be a case of being overly hypercritical.
Pretty much what I was expecting. A fun movie for kids and a silly animated movie for me and my friends as adults. Just like the first one, it probably isn't anything to write home about but it's an enjoyable, silly movie adaptation. I'll probably see it with a couple buddies sometime soon.
Variety review seems about the most spot on. Man didn't even know this one was over 2 hours...Will probably lose interest halfway and close the page out, but I was never much into Sonic anyway.
I saw the first movie on Netflix (or was it HBO) and it was neither good nor bad. But I bet kids likes it and that's what matters.
I just hope it will feel more like the games. The first one felt like they just did whatever they wanted, with disregard to the games.
I also didn't really like Sonic's personality in the first movie.
@StephenYap3 Thank you. Please keep us updated.
I enjoyed the first movie quite a bit, so I'll be checking out the sequel.
I'll definitely be using my odeon unlimited pass again for this one. It'll look a bit odd in my list of seen films next door to 'X' and ambulance 😄
"Harmless" was how a friend described the first film. I suspect the same will apply to this sequel. I'll watch it and I'll probably enjoy it.
@X68000 Critics are a farce. Really. Adults critiquing child movies.
These are kid movies and should be reviewed as such.
So many animated movies that got burned into the ground for nothing, while the kids were enjoying them either way.
It's getting extremely tiresome, how everything gets critiqued based on it being Oscar worthy material or not!
Not all movies need to be Oscar material. What about just going to the cinema and enjoy the movie for what it is?!
People have lost the phrase "Popcorn movie"! When you just went to the cinema, got your drink+popcorn and just enjoy the experience.
So. To each their own. My entire family enjoyed the first movie and we can't wait to see this one.
@Quarth my 6 and 8 year old loved it. we went to see it in german first at cinema then english when it came out digitally. Butsince the adds been shown on tv they are counting down the days to go see it
Oh c'mon man, is it too much to ask for a trainwreck of a video game movie? Stop putting effort into things, bor-ing
I found the first film tiring due to the product placement and stale pop-culture humor. Detective Pikachu was more enjoyable for me, but I know a ton of kids have loved the Sonic movie. It’s strange to see a generation of Sonic fans who have never played a Sonic game.
Is critic scores even relevant anymore its more audience review if anything since its so much nostalgia for old fans and give new fans to see Sonic I want to see it myself to give my own input.
Own the first one and I love it. I'm going to love this one even more.
I would have given the first movie a 5 out of 10. Not great, not terrible, worth watching.
But the thing I disliked most, is the same thing I hated about the Smurf movies. Why do these character need to exist in our world?
I just want as many Jim antics as possible.
@dkxcalibur In Sonic's defense, this isn't the first time he's been isekaied.
@Anguspuss That's lovely to hear! Adorable that they are counting down.
@TheBigK Don't worry, C̶h̶r̶i̶s̶ ̶P̶r̶a̶t̶t̶ Mario is right around the corner!
The first movie was okay at best. In the end it was just another chipmunk/Smurfs movie: Cgi characters ending up in our world, befriending real humans. And I am just not that keen on Jim Carrey and his over-acting. The movie was okay, and someday I'll watch the sequel.
I liked the first one. Just having sonic appear in our world for the first time is as exciting as the first episode of sonic x cartoon was for me. Tho I probly liked that more lol. Idk if sonic 2 will have the same feel, but I'm down to see it either way! Sonic was my fav pc game growing up, and was a childhood hero of mine. Rather than say....a fireman lol
@Handy_Man
I'm Calling it:
It's Shadow or Amy.
I just saw the movie yesterday (because it’s out where I live), and it was a significant improvement over the first movie, and though it still has its flaws, I loved it, especially the third act. Also the post credits scene was awesome, so for those who are going to watch it, it’s definitely worth it. Also there’s only one this time, so don’t wait until the very end like I did and be disappointed.
I saw it recently: better then the first one! Now I am looking forward to the Knuckles series.
Tap here to load 31 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...