Sonic the Hedgehog succeeds in connecting with the nostalgic 90’s crowd and today’s youth

What was set up to be 2020’s biggest trainwreck of a movie, surprises by successfully connecting with adults craving nostalgia and today’s youth. Sonic the Hedgehog is a must-see family movie.

From the start, Sonic the Hedgehog sends adults chills with the SEGA opening. You suddenly realize how many video game characters you recognize. Whether you grew up playing these games or not, 90’s kids know who the characters are and it takes us back to our childhood. We suddenly feel right at home and eager to see what’s next as we settle into our seats for the movie to begin.

Sonic the Hedgehog kicks off with a quick introduction of Sonic, featuring a very adorable baby Sonic. He is still not as cute as the most adorable character of all time, The Child aka The Mandalorian‘s baby Yoda, but top three for sure. After the set up scene, audiences find themselves on Earth as Sonic tells us all about his adventures and what he is usually up to all day.

Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) has grown fond of one family in particular, Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie Wachowski (Tika Sumpter). Tom is a small town cop with dreams of moving to the big city, where he can actually make a difference, and Maddie is a veterinarian (which comes in handy later).

The story and characters stick very close to the original material, which will please longtime fans. At the same time, it is welcoming to new eyes who are just now learning about the friendly blue alien.

When Tom and Sonic’s paths cross, knowing this is his chance to do some good, Tom helps Sonic escape Dr. Robotnik, portrayed by the great Jim Carrey. If you thought Jim Carrey would be the best part about the entire movie, give yourselves a pat in the back, because you were absolutely right!

Carrey is hilarious! From his snarky comments to LOL-funny dance sequence. Dr. Robotnik provides the biggest, most impactful moments in the movie. What you have seen in the trailers is nothing compared to the full picture. Speaking of which, boy are we glad the release date for Sonic was pushed back to fix the visuals.

MORE: Will Sonic break the dreaded video game movie curse?

The work put in by the film’s VFX artists can never be fully rewarded. They did amazing! Can you believe the old Sonic was going to have huge teeth? Those images are still giving many of us nightmares! The final project turned out amazing! I’m glad to share that you’ll all be laughing along with Sonic, not at him.

The trailers don’t do this movie justice as it comes off as silly and sappy, and it is both of those things, at times, but also so much more! My family and I were surprised by how much we enjoyed Sonic the Hedgehog. My 6-year-old has even asked to go watch it again. It almost makes me wonder if the first design reveals were part of the entire campaign to lower our expectations and come out pleasantly surprising audiences. Either way, Sonic nails it.

Is it appropriate for children?

Definitely! Any child old enough to go to the movies (5 years and up, in my personal opinion) will enjoy the movie and be captivated by the visuals and fun, jumpy blue alien. The story is pretty easy to follow along, too. Not one PG rating is the same and it is ever-changing. But for Sonic, this is as PG as it gets nowadays. The crude humor and violence is very mild, most of it will go right over a young one’s head and is only plugged in for adults to catch.

Messages of acceptance (no matter your species or color) and standing up for doing what’s right flash throughout the film, which is nice to see.

For more sensitive parents (and children): There is a bar scene where most of the violence and language takes place, but, the movie tries to make it as fun as possible. Honestly, your kid may be more distracted by the visuals to pay close attention to what’s going on.

Sonic the Hedgehog is in theaters Friday, Feb. 14. The movie is rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor and brief mild language. 

Be sure you stick around for the mid-credit scenes! It’ll have old and new fans very excited. There are fun, fast times ahead!