Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 picks up a few months after the first film, with Sonic trying to find his place in the world while living with Tom and Maddie, often doing heroic vigilante stuff without them knowing. All the while, Doctor Robotnik is rescued and teams up with Knuckles to take on Sonic and obtain the powerful Master Emerald. Aided by the tech savvy and friendly Tails, Sonic must defeat the two of them to keep his family safe and prevent mass destruction. The cast, directors, and writers all return from the first film, as well as the addition of Idris Elba voicing Knuckles and regular franchise veteran Colleen O'Shaughnessey brought in for Tails. Much of the writing is improved compared to previous film, though still in keeping with its children's film aesthetic. It doesn't rely too much on product placement and the story isn't just a copy and paste of the 2020 film, though some parts of the story could have been shortened or be left out entirely. There's an entire sequence related to Maddie's sister's wedding that is way out of place and feels like a completely different movie. It isn't terrible and many of the jokes work, but feels like it turns into a Tyler Perry movie halfway through and then comes back to Sonic. The performances from every actor are all good, especially Jim Carrey once again as Robotnik being hilarious and Idris Elba gives Knuckles a lovable meathead voice work. This sequel's action sequences are much more creative than the first's, and thanks to the well made effects are incredible and fun to watch. While being a much better constructed movie compared to its predecessor, I think Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is not as memorable as the first but is still incredible fun and continues to give video game adaptations a better shot than what has been done before. Over all: 84%

2022 top list so far:

1. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

2. The Northman

3. The Batman

4. Dog

5. Everything Everywhere All at Once

6. X 2022

7. Scream 2022

8. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

9. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

10. Uncharted