After 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog film was a huge success, Paramount Pictures wisely decided the blue blur needed a sequel – Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Just like the classic video game, this sequel introduces new characters – Tails (voiced by Collen O’Shaughnessey), Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba), and the return of the mad scientist Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).

Shortly after the events in the first film, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) is left home alone while Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) attend Rachel’s (Natasha Rothwell) wedding in Hawaii. Sonic’s party is interrupted by Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and his new pal Knuckles. While Robotnik is looking for revenge, Knuckles is in search of the Master Emerald – a collection of chaos emeralds that allows the person in possession of it to create anything they can think of.

After Tails helps Sonic escape Robotnik, they use a map left by Longclaw to find the Master Emerald before Robotnik and Knuckles.

2020’s Sonic was a lot of fun, and most would call it a surprise hit. Somehow, director Jeff Fowler made the sequel funnier, even more ridiculous, and full of fun easter eggs for fans of the video game. It’s hard to get sequels right and they not only got it right, they were able to improve something that was already good.

The CGI, fun pop culture jokes, and call backs to the game are all great and help make Sonic 2 an enjoyable time at the movies. However, the engine that drives this film is Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. From his ridiculous one-liners to interactions with his sidekick Stone (Lee Majdoub), Carrey is electric every time he’s on screen. His wild antics and out of control behavior are a perfect fit for this universe. Carrey gives one of those “I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing this role” performances. It seems odd to put that label on a video game movie aimed at kids, but this movie doesn’t work without Jim Carrey.

The film is centered on a message of friendship, family, and loving who you are. It’s still unreal to be writing this about a Sonic the Hedgehog movie, but the movie has heartfelt and earnest moments that make you care for a CGI yellow fox with two tails.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a fun and exciting time at the movies.  Video games have been difficult to adapt into films. They’ve tried it multiple times and for some reason…Sonic works. The Sonic Cinematic Universe is everything fans of film and video games love.

Grade: B+