Sonic 2 Movie Review

                    Sonic the Hedgehog 2

    It’s not easy being blue, especially if you are a hedgehog. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic wants to put his powers to good use. However, it’s to no avail. Then when Dr. Robotnik returns, Sonic’s world is turned upside down. How will he defeat the evil scientist this time?

    Positive Elements: Sonic desires to be a hero, but goes about it in all the wrong ways. However, he learns some intelligent lessons throughout the film. For example, Sonic is told by Tom “Trust me, there will come a time when your powers are needed. But you don’t choose that moment. That moment chooses you.” Tom also challenges his young charge, saying “You have a lot of growing up to do.” He also calls out Sonic’s immature behavior too.

    Joining Sonic in his quest is the timid Tails. Tails always felt like an outcast in his village and never fit in. The two aid each other through perilous adventures and become best friends. Sonic helps Tails out of his comfort zone in one scenario.

    (Spoiler Warning): Sonic teams up with friends and family to defeat Robotnik. One of those friends is the hard driven Knuckles. First siding with Robotnik, the red echidna plans to destroy Sonic. Through Sonic’s selfless actions and Tom’s advice: “Being a hero isn’t about taking care of yourself, it’s about taking responsibility for other people,” Knuckles has a change of heart. He notices Sonic’s optimism, which prompts the hedgehog to say “I found a new family and new friends, and you can too.” Knuckles, Tails and Sonic selflessly defend Green Hills from Robotnik.

    Maddie and Tom love Sonic as their own. They aid him in some dangerous situations, voicing their love for him. The married couple open their arms for Tails and Knuckles too. When Sonic instructs Maddie and Tom to leave, both stick by his side. “We’re family. And families stick together no matter what.”

    Spiritual Content: Like the first film, the rings serve as a teleportation service on a couple occasions. We hear that the "Master Emerald" has ultimate power. When one character retrieves it, his costume turns green and he is able to manipulate metals from tanks, cars and trains. A Russian crosses himself.

    Sensual Content: Rachel is engaged to Randall in the film: we see the two kiss passionately. Rachel makes a comment about "waxing" and talks about Randall's "manscaped" body. Several women wear dresses/outfits revealing cleavage/leg. One Russian guy is seen shirtless. Maddie and Tom embrace/kiss.

    Violence: Whereas the first film somewhat dragged in the action department, this sequel brings it front and center. Sonic nearly blows up a city block trying to stop robbers. The bombs plunge water from the sewer systems during this sequence. Sonic almost drowns in two separate scenes. He dismantles a vehicle that barely stops in front of a frightened kid.

    When Knuckles is introduced, the action starts flying. He and Sonic engage in several battles throughout the film. Knuckles pins Sonic to the tree before being knocked out by a police car. He chases both Sonic and Tails using his speed and rips off a car door. Both animals are almost tossed into a fire.

    A snow avalanche causes light peril for our heroes and crashes a wedding. Sonic jumps through robot lasers during an action scene. A few characters punch each other. Maddie and Rachel use some of Tails’ gadgets to distract security guards. 

    One temple cracks under pressure, collapsing into water. Once Robotnik has the Emerald, he builds a robot that causes havoc on Green Hills. Sonic, Knuckles and Tails use their powers to destroy his robots. Tom and Maddie rescue Sonic from being crushed. A truck flips over repeatedly after being thumped. 

    (Spoiler Warning): To everyone’s surprise, Sonic (using all the stones combined in the Emerald) becomes golden and defeats Robotnik with his new powers. The robot crashes in a fiery explosion. Knuckles fists bumps a baseball into a scoreboard leaving a round hole.

    Language: There are quite a few misuses of God’s name, including some name calling like “skin tag” and “hunk of junk.” One or two uses of h—.

    Drugs/Alcohol: Some characters drink alcoholic beverages in a few scenes. During a stressful moment, Rachel chugs champagne straight from the bottle.

    Other Negative Elements: Sonic attempts to fool Tom by using fake farts from a rag doll. He trashes the house while Tom and Maddie are away. It’s indicated he’s been lying and sneaking out as well.

    Some characters withhold secret information from each other. A cruel act of betrayal plays into the plot too.

    Conclusion: Sonic 2 is (compared to the first film) out of this world. The story captivates you while moving along at a fresh pace. Video game fans are sure to be delighted with the references found here.

    A few content problems need discussion here. Some toilet humor appears, along with lying and deception. Several action scenes could be too intense for the younger fans. Also, brief language makes an appearance as well.

    But Sonic 2 redeems itself with powerful lessons on friendship, responsibility, and family. It immerses viewers into the colorful worlds of different states, the camera never blinking away attention to detail. Even the dance scene brings a lighthearted version of Bruno Mars Uptown Funk, causing you to smile and tap your foot. 

    Two Bible verses come to mind when watching this film. Proverbs 17:17 states “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” This verse speaks on the powerful bond of friendship. As Sonic and Tails work together, their friendship deepens.

    For Knuckles, he learns a lesson about blindly following the status quo and how words hurt. Proverbs 18:21 says “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” In other words, someone says they are your friend, and you eat up that promise. But when the so-called friend betrays you, they have broken their promise and revealed their true colors. Thankfully, Knuckles learns his lesson and chooses the right in the end.

    Sonic 2 is a huge improvement from the first film and never fails to amaze me. I hope you feel the same way after watching it too.