Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog 2: Review | A Nostalgic Next-Level Adventure

Published

12 months ago

April 2, 2022

The world’s favourite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in Sonic The Hedgehog 2. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

The first Sonic movie only opened in February of 2020, and it turned out to be far better than expected and a faithful video-game adaptation. The Blue Blur raced towards a box office record when the pandemic hit. But fast forward two years, and we already have a sequel. A sequel in fact that is bigger and bolder, takes every endearing aspect of the original and cranks it up to the next level which makes it a worthy successor.

Previously Jim Carrey’s Dr Robotnik vowed revenge after being banished to the Mushroom Planet, while high-flying fox Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) appears through a ring portal above Sonic’s new home of Green Hills. The first film also began with baby Sonic, back in his universe, being hunted by a tribe of Echidnas, which felt like a hint that red-fisted Knuckles wasn’t far behind. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 showcases these previous events and has taken the foundation laid from Sega’s second Sonic game from 1992. The 16-bit platform sequel showcased a newly revamped Sonic with new controls and a two-tailed fox friend that aids him. With the new upgrades also came more threats from Sonic’s nemesis evil Dr Robotnik, who is once again planning world domination. Paramount’s sequel expands the story of the platform game and delivers a nostalgic themed ride with laugh-out-loud moments and valuable life lessons.

The first movie was all about Sonic finding his place in a lonely world, while the sequel uses these life lessons by challenging the titular character to slow down and think of others. Having found a home and family we find Sonic restless for adventure. Tom (James Marsden) his adopted father figure helps to guide this blue justice (trademark pending) urging him to be more responsible after his short-lived stint as a vigilante.

Sonic is still the sarcastic and absurdly obsessed with contemporary pop culture Hedgehog we know and love. Voiced once again brilliantly by Ben Schwartz, he imbues an energetic childlike performance. Much like a child-friendly version of Deadpool, Sonic cracks jokes about Vin Diesel and busts some moves to some old-school classic hip-hop.

The additions of Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) was a welcoming one as they inject a surprising amount of humour and heart into the story and feel like faithful live-action adaptations as you would expect from their game appearances. Tails is the brains of the trio, with his gadgets and smarts are made use of during many of the action sequences. Tails is a young, anthropomorphic fox cub with two distinct tails, which allow him to fly. He idolises Sonic as a hero and ring portals into Green Hills having tracked Sonic and takes off to find him, hoping that he’s not too late. Watching the pair’s friendship develop on-screen was adorable, there are genuinely sweet moments between these two.

O’Shaughnessey is the one voice cast member from the sonic games to reprise her role for the film. She’s spent eight years voicing Tails and has an endearing understanding of Sonic’s best friend.

Elba channels the little red wrecking ball with deadpan humour which contrasts Sonic’s speedy energetic snark. An anthropomorphic red Echidna warrior with super-strength is the sole survivor of his tribe after they were wiped out. His entire existence is about honour and being a warrior, describing him as a force of nature who collaborates with Robotnik to find the master emerald and defeat Sonic. The chemistry between the three main video game characters is a genuine highlight.

Jim Carrey is diabolical and even more unhinged in the sequel, he delivers one of his most over-the-top performances and fully embraces his respective role with exaggerated deliveries and elastic slapstick humour only he can provide. When teamed up with Knuckles this creates a juxtaposition between brains and brawn and with the return of Latte loving Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub) creates entertaining sequences and dialogue scenarios that are hilarious for children and adults alike.

With a speedy pacing, dance number, and a Hawaiian subplot featuring characters and arcs outside the main storyline, the movie tends to exert itself but made up for it with a bridezilla rampage and an escape sequence. The story picks up the speed with the CGI characters as Sonic and Tails embark on an adventure to retrieve the emerald before Robotnik can get his hands on it. Along the way, we’re treated to high-octane action sequences, easter eggs, and plenty of gags. The sequel takes them on a globe-trotting journey through an exhilarating snowboarding sequence and many familiar moments featured in the game, seeing the Tornado biplane brought to life truly put a smile on my face. The scope and scale of the sequel are immense as we portal across the globe to hot, cold, and hostile environments.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a more confident sequel and a more enjoyable family film, that delivers heart and authenticity for fans of the game. With elements that set up a third entry, I can’t wait to see what’s next in the franchise as it expands with a mid-credits sequence and an already-confirmed streaming show on Paramount Plus starring Knuckles. The Sonic Cinematic Universe is a franchise I can’t wait to see grow, with decades of characters to appear, it’s gonna be an exciting time, especially since Sonic the Hedgehog is celebrating his 30th Anniversary.

FILM RATING

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Adventure

Why ‘Return to Oz’ is one of my favorite films now

Published

1 month ago

February 19, 2023

Richard Schertzer

I have said it once and I’ll say it again. Nothing could match the sheer brilliance of the 1939 Judy Garland-led film The Wizard of Oz, but there is another film that was flown under the radar that was forgotten by many Oz fans after its release. That film was Return to Oz.

The movie is the unofficial sequel to the 1939 classic film. It follows a young Dorothy Gale six months after she came back from the Land of Oz. She is sent a key by the scarecrow via a shooting star and gets back to the magical land of Oz using a raft on a floating river. She is accompanied by a talking chicken, a metalhead named Tik-Tok, a Gump and Jack Pumpkinhead.

The gang battles the evil Princess Mombi and her boss the Nome King. They must find the Scarecrow and unfreeze all of the inhabitants of the Emerald City.

The film bombed at the box-office and only received mixed reviews, but, over the years, it has gained popularity, thanks to the internet and other Oz fans.

As a child, I have always been fascinated with the idea of a person or a group of people traveling to a distant and fantastical land of wonder and amazement. That’s why I love movies like Alice In Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and The Chronicles of Narnia but this Walter Murch film from 1985 seems to capture my attention whenever I’m on Disney+ trying to kill some time.

The story is so simple that it takes the journey of the hero and breathes new life into the marvelous land of Oz and the films that inspired it. It has a certain kinship to the nostalgic movies that I previously watched as a child in the 2000s.

Another reason that I love this film so much is because of the magnificent score by David Shire. His music is so beautifully crafted that it makes one weak in the knees and the heart. Each note is a transformative thrill into Murch’s vision of what L. Frank Baum’s Oz was. The film uses every single strand of filmmaking techniques that the 1939 film originally hosted.

Since its release, it has been acclaimed as a cult classic and its nostalgic charm is what makes it so likable and watchworthy.

FILM RATING

Action

Five Reasons To Love ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

Published

2 months ago

January 22, 2023

Richard Schertzer

Back in 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened into theaters with a mixed reception from critics and audiences and has been deemed as the least desirable of the Spidey movies. In the film, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) must face off against another villain who has been given the name Electro. Moreover, our brave hero uncovers some bizarre mysteries surrounding his parents.

Many fans of the series view the film as an overcrowded mess, but I think it might be the most entertaining of all the Spidey films, until No Way Home arrived, and here are five reasons why that remains true.

Andrew Garfield

First and foremost, Garfield is always a delight to have in the Spidey outfit. His charisma and witty banter is almost what makes the film truly great. I have always said that he was the best Spider-Man and this movie proves it with his ability to elevate any scene from dull slog to a comedic venture.

Spidey, in this particular movie, embodies the hero in the original comics with his incessant need to make a fast-talking quip to one of his enemies. There is nothing better than a comic-book character sticking true to his essence and spirit of its source material.

Electro

Despite what many people say about the villains, Jamie Foxx as the supercharged baddie Electro proves to be a formidable opponent for the web-head, with his omnipotent powers and overly-powered nature. More than that, Max Dillon is depicted as a quiet, shy loner who is invisible to other people. He is essentially a nobody, until he falls into a vat of electrically-charged eels and becomes the sinister villain Electro.

To better understand a villain, you must understand their plight and Electro’s plight is that of a rags-to-riches success story and the visual effects are certainly something to marvel at.

Action Sequences

This article wouldn’t be complete if I decided not to talk about the exhilarating action that embodied the film. Whether we see Spidey chasing down a truck with Oscorp’s product or a massive fight inside a grid that seems like a colossal feat for any Marvel film, the film can take a lot of pride in its action sequences.

One can also never forget the massive and iconic battle sequence between Electro and Spidey in Time Square that seems impossible to be made.

Green Goblin

While he remains a secondary villain, Dane Dehaan’s Green Goblin is still noteworthy. Dehaan portrays Harry Osborne who is left with his dead father Norman’s life work and stumbles upon a Goblin serum that enhances his speed, strength, and intelligence.

His little spat with Spider-Man is certainly befitting for the dark, moody tone of the film and entertaining for plenty of comic fans with zippy action and certified intensity. In the end, he is also responsible for the death of Spidey’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

Gwen Stacy Death

Speaking of Gwen Stacy, this is the only Spidey film that features his love interest dying. As he battles the Green Goblin, Spidey attempts to hold on to Stacy, literally, by a thread in the clocktower. However, when the thread snaps, Spidey is able to snag her in mid-air but the whiplash of the fall snaps her neck, killing her.

What might be the saddest moment in any Spider-Man film, was brought to life in this extraordinary scene that silenced an entire generation of Spider-Man fans.

FILM RATING

Adventure

‘1883’ Spinoff Series ‘Bass Reeves’ Adds Dennis Quaid to Cast

Published

2 months ago

January 20, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

Dennis Quaid (Far from Heaven, The Day After Tomorrow) is the latest star to join the cast of Bass Reeves, a new drama series coming from Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, Tulsa King) and Paramount+, according to Deadline. Bass Reeves was announced as a spinoff to the Yellowstone prequel, 1883 back in May 2022 with David Oyelowo (Selma, A Wrinkle in Time) attached to star as the legendary lawman.

Bass Reeves will follow Oyelowo as someone who is known to many as “the greatest frontier hero” in American history in his own series on Paramount+. The streamer already houses so many Sheridan-fronted programs, most recently, Mayor of Kingstown starring Jeremy Renner returned for its second season while CIA drama, Lioness added to its cast with Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman. Some believe that Reeves served inspiration to “The Lone Ranger” having worked as a peace officer for Indian territory capturing over 3,000 criminals on that land. Quaid will play Sherrill Lynn, a Deputy U.S. Marshall within the show.

Quaid most recently voiced the character Jaeger Clade in Disney’s animated feature Strange World which is currently available to stream on Disney+. He’ll also star in Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming HBO Max series Full Circle alongside Zazie Beetz, Claire Danes and Emmy-winner Jharrel Jerome.

FILM RATING