LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Let’s be real, video game movies suck. For some reason, studios can’t figure out how to take something that already has great characters and a strong story and just put it on the big screen.
Luckily, Sonic the Hedgehog doesn’t have to worry about that struggle.
What seems like another cliché “fish-out-of-water” story, is actually one with depth and fun moments.
Sonic, who’s been on Earth for several years, must venture across the country with a small-town sheriff to escape the evil Dr. Robotnik.
Ben Schwartz is great as Sonic. His time on Parks and Rec and the new Ducktales cartoon make him the perfect person to voice the icon, and he brings an extra layer of heart to it.
Jim Carrey, who portrays Robotnik before he becomes the video game villain, is fun. He’s over-the-top and chews all the scenery, but you can tell he’s having a good time.
The rest of the cast is solid. James Marsden is good in his second “human befriends animated creature” movie.
What sets this movie apart from other video game movies is knowing what it is. It’s not trying to be dark and gritty. It trusts the audience to know what Sonic is without babying them. And it doesn’t to do too much. It’s simple, and that’s refreshing.
Sonic the Hedgehog doesn’t break new ground when it comes to story or visual effects. Instead, it makes history by being a great video game movie.