Sonic the Hedgehog is Jim Carrey’s manic best performance in years
It won’t be making any best-of-year lists. But Sonic the Hedgehog has a surprising glow as it gives two faded ‘90s institutions a massive makeover.
Leigh Paatsch
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Brace yourself here for a double shot of ‘90s nostalgia, restoring two decrepit institutions from that faraway decade to something resembling their former glories.
The first makeover candidate is Sonic the Hedgehog, the speedy star of a hit Sega video game that ruled the world once upon a time.
The second is Jim Carrey, the fast-talking star of many a hit comedy that dominated the box-office once upon a time.
While the unlikely collaboration of these decommissioned icons won’t be making any best-of-year lists, their work together in Sonic the Hedgehog gives off a surprisingly engaging glow throughout.
Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) is an irrepressibly upbeat extra-terrestrial who enjoys nothing more than running around really, really quickly. So quickly, in fact, he cannot be seen at all by the human naked eye.
However, after merrily living undetected for several years in a small American town, Sonic’s cover is blown.
The government authorities being government authorities, well, the want him brought in for questioning, examination, experiments and the like.
So the powers-that-be go ahead and hand the high-speed hunting-down gig to Jim Carrey’s villainous Dr Robotnik.
This loopy, mad-scientist type brings out a manic best in Carrey we have not seen in a long, long time.
The scenes where it is nothing but Sonic out-pacing, out-thinking or (almost) out-quipping Robotnik amount to quality escapist fare for kids.
Like last year’s Pokemon Detective Pikachu - with which Sonic the Hedgehog compares favourably - there are also just the slightest dashes of genuine wit and creativity kept in the mix to prevent adults from rolling their eyes and checking their phone.
As a hybrid of live-action and computer animation, the movie does have its work cut out to stop everything becoming a repetitive eyesore after a while.
The sound design can also get way too loud for no justifiable reason.
However, a secondary plotline about a kindly local policeman (nice work from James Marsden) and some imaginative additions to the tearaway title character’s (admittedly sketchy) back story keeps Sonic the Hedgehog moving at speed towards a pleasing destination.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG)
Director: Jeff Fowler (feature debut)
Starring: Jim Carrey, James Marsden and the voice of Ben Schwartz.
Rating: ***
Can’t wipe the smile off its chase
MORE LEIGH PAATSCH REVIEWS:
WHY BIRDS OF PREY ISN’T FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED
THE LIGHTHOUSE A CHALLENGE, BUT DON’T BE PUT OFF
RICHARD JEWELL A CHILLING CAUTIONARY TALE
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