A definitive kids movie with questionable appeal for adults.
Sonic The Hedgehog is one of those movies that doesn't really know who it is aimed at. The bulk of the plot and jokes are aimed at kids when the property itself is not very well known to the audience. Then there are adult jokes that are so thinly veiled that you could walk right through them. Ben Schwartz plays the titular Sonic and does a wonderful job imitating a child alien, as he played the man child Jean Ralphio on Parks and Rec. James Marsden plays the wholesome police officer who feels like a big fish in a small town. He gets roped into protecting Sonic from the almost too obviously evil Dr. Robotnic played by Jim Carrey who is at his absolute most Jim Carrey ever seen. He is so eccentric that it often times removes you from the film with his absurdity. While the film is often over the top with its child based comedy it is a respectable take on the need for family and the need to belong.
The controversy around Sonic's teeth was heavily overblown but the studio listened and changed the film for the better. The downside might be that the production budget ballooned and it may not make back as much of the return. The studio is depending on Sonic being a success as there are two obvious set ups for sequels that might not happen and in my view are not necessary. Sonic wraps up the story line in a nice little bow until those zingers and does not require a sequel. It can only go down from here and Sonic unfortunately doesn't start out extremely high.
A solid kids flick that will not sit perfectly with Sonic die hard fans, it earns a C+ from the Holmes Review.
