USA | Japan 2024
Opening December 25, 2024

Directed by: Jeff Fowler
Writing credits: Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington
Principal actors: Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz (voice), Keanu Reeves (voice)

Sonic is a small hedgehog with two friends: Knuckles, an echidna, and Tails, a fennec fox. There is another hedgehog, Shadow, who acts independently from the others, not always in a positive manner. All four are stuffed animals living in a “real” world, which they must save—first in Japan and then in London. They interact with “real” people. Commander Walters leads a military team. Then there is Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, a professor, as well as Gerald’s granddaughter Maria. Director Rockwell wants to save the world. Young Tom and Maddie also interact. The main interest is possession of an important key. This interest causes disputes. It’s important that “Revenge brings no benefits” and “Love is eternal.”  

The original Sonic the Hedgehog is a Japanese video games series. Two earlier versions of the film appeared in 2020 and 2022. All three films are live-action mixed with animation. An echidna, i.e., Knuckles, is another type of hedgehog. Quite popular are Ivo and Gerald, both bald, one with a brown mustache and one with a white mustache and both amazingly played by the same actor: Jim Carey. Ivo’s nickname is Eierkopf (Egg Head). How difficult was it to have “them,” i.e., the same actor, standing side-by-side speaking with “each other”? Recommended for six-year-olds and older, there were many happy kids in my audience. Due to the fighting, explosions, and action, I would suggest the recommendation be for eight-year-olds and older. (Becky T.)