Welcome back ladies and stinkers I’m Liam Wilson and this is a breakdown of 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog. I wanted to ramp up to this holiday season’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3, by reviewing and breaking down each entry in this Sonic franchise. Starting with the first, Sonic the Hedgehog.
Sonic V.S. Robotnik
Now we start the movie with the classic Paramount intro, this time instead of stars, you get the classic yellow rings. We also get a montage of different Sega games, with a more dramatic sound effect of the classic SEGA. The film kicks into action at around the story’s halfway point. We see Sonic being chased by Robotnik in his egg pod. Sonic the Hedgehog is voiced by Parks and Recreation’s Ben Schwarts, and Robotnik is played by comedy legend, Jim Carrey.
Sonic’s Origin
As a flashback to Sonic’s past we see him run all throughout a game accurate Green Hills Zone. In the movie it is only referred to as Sonic’s home island. You can see the say type of totem poles and checkered design all throughout. We then meet Sonic’s guardian, Longclaw. Voiced by Donna Jay Fulks.
Sonic refers to her as his Obi-Wan Kenobi. Now I just love the pop culture brain that Sonic has, but I think this could lead to possible implications for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. What I mean by that is Sonic might become an Anakin Skywalker type character. Throughout the trailers, we see that Tom is in danger, and shots that show Sonic rather angry. So, maybe we can see Sonic grief and deal with loss, you know, just like Anakin Skywalker. Maybe that’s how we can see the return of Longclaw. There’s also, with great power comes great hungry power bad guys. Obviously, a reference to Spider-Man.
I however think it could be a representation of Sonic’s relationship with Longclaw. Sonic being Peter Park and Longclaw being Uncle Ben. We see the Echidna tribe attack them. The Echidnas were originally introduced in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 game, and more of a vocal point in the next film. Once we see Longclaw push Sonic through the ring, we never see a dead body. Everyone knows the rule, if you don’t see a body, they’re not dead.
Green Hills
10 years later, we find ourselves in what is officially called, Green Hills, Montana. Green Hills was of course world 1 in the original Sonic game. We get introduced to both Tom Wachowski and Wade Wipple. Played by James Marsden and Adam Pally. Pally would later star in the Knuckles limited series. Finding Sonic in his cave, you can find nods to famous speedsters, like a RoadRunner sign on the wall, a Usain Bolt poster, and of course Sonic’s extensive collection of Flash comics. Another fun detail is that Sonic’s bandana has the same exact outline as the opening of the original Sonic games.
When Sonic opens his map, you can see the different planets, and even the Master Emerald. Of course, becoming more of a vocal point in the next movie’s plot. Sonic then tosses a ring to look at his next planet, the Mushroom Hill Zone. Now I know this doesn’t mean anything, I just like the fact that Sonic and Mario hate mushrooms. Speaking of Mario, behind Donut Lord there’s a plumbing shop. We also then meet pretzel lady, Maddie Wachowski, played by Tika Sumpter.
The Watchowski Family
Another one of my favorite easter eggs is Crazy Carl’s blue devil. Yes, that drawing of his is the internet famous Sanic. Another thing that I’ve liked is how much Keanu Reeves we’ve gotten in this universe. Of course, Sonic watches the movie, Speed, and later in Knuckles we see a poster with Keanu Reeves. Then we finally get Keanu Reeves as Shadow.
Now I wanted to mention the fact that pretzel lady mentions that there has been a Watchowski protecting this town for 50 years. Popular fan theories say that the soldier who kills Mariah in Sonic 3, yes that is bound to happen, has a connection with Tom. So, when Shadow reawakens, he mistakes Tom for the one that shot Mariah. Now after a game of baseball, Sonic gets emotional and just runs and runs, you know. Almost what every other speedster does when they get emotional. Sonic then blasts out a huge thing of blue energy, taking power from the entire west coast.
Dr. Ivo Robotnik
We then see the proper introduction for Jim Carrey’s Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Now I mentioned in my review that one would be a little taken back by this current state of Robotnik. But all it does is just make future iterations of Jim Carrey’s character more satisfying. It’s the start of a revolution, seeing Robotnik go from weird to a mad man. Now just dissing the soldier, he refers to the book of Charlotte’s Web, and he introduces what came out of his egg sack. The egg bots of course are supposed to be his tech from the games, and it’s really how he gets the name Eggman.
Sonic then has to escape to his Mushroom planet, but Tom finds him before he gets the chance. Throughout the film we also learn how much of an outcast Robotnik is, whether he realizes it or not. It’s something that Robotnik and Sonic have to face. I think it’s a bit of a fumble that they never really focused on that in these films.
Remembering Ugly Sonic
Now I just wanted to take a moment to remember what could’ve been. Going back to the original trailer, with the Ugly Sonic design. It is something that I don’t think could be truly replicated ever again. If you don’t know what I’m talking about is that the Sonic you see now, wasn’t the Sonic Paramount was going with. The original design had photo realistic features, human teeth, and weird legs. Of course, they got so much push back from everyone online. That’s when director Jeff Fowler announced that they were going to delay the movie, so they can fix it. And the rest was history. I just thought it was so cool that if they hadn’t fixed that Sonic design, we might not have gotten a whole franchise, not even a trilogy.
Sonic and Tom V.S. Robotnik
As Sonic and Tom’s Road trip continues, Robotnik chases them down with more sleek eggs. Now I know it’s not exact, but the truck that he’s driving does sort of resemble the Egg Booster, used in Sonic Racing. Sonic suggests for Tom to roll up into a ball, just like his classic move used in just about every game he’s in.
Robotnik then gets his hands on one of Sonic’s quills. Robotnik uses it later in the film to power up his ship, to bring it to the same speed as Sonic. Now the reason why I think this is important for Sonic 3, is because in the first trailer, Sonic gives Robotnik one of his quills in order for them to team up together. I think that Robotnik is going to hold on to that quill and in a moment of help, Metal Sonic is going to swoop in. Maybe Gerald just had Metal Sonic lying around, and Robotnik’s quill was just the only piece that was missing.
Maddie Rachel’s Colors
Now thanks to a fan online, they’ve noticed a pattern between Mattie’s clothes between the three films. In Sonic 1, she’s wearing yellow. Tails was then teased at the end of this film. In Sonic 2, she’s wearing red and black. Shadow was then teased at the end of the film. Now thanks to the official character posters, Mattie can be seen wearing pink. Who’s pink you might ask? Amy Rose.
Now we also meet Rachel, Tom’s Sister-in-law, played by Natasha Rothwell. Now I know this just nothing, but I couldn’t help but see that the colors of the ropes she’s tied with are Sonic the Hedgehog characters. There’s Sonic, Tails, Silver, and maybe, Manic. Manic is Sonic’s youngest brother from the Sonic Underground TV show. Maybe that can be something explored in the next trilogy? Jojo then gifts Sonic his classic shoes. Now we know where they came from. Now you know.
Robotnik Rythms
Now I also wanted to point out Robotnik’s song choices. Just classic villain stuff. He has a playlist, called Tunes of Anarchy, which he plays Where Evil Grows by The Poppy Family. There’s also Everybody Wants to Rule the World, another villain song. Also, when Robotnik is just jamming out, he projects a snowy mountain, which might just be the same mountain he chases Sonic on in the sequel.
Officially Caught Up
We then get to the top of the Transamerica Pyramid, where Sonic lost his rings. It’s just too bad because Robotnik catches them with his eggs. The three of them make fun of his flight suit, which does resemble the game’s suit just a bit. We however don’t get the full game accurate suit until the third film. Sonic then pushed Tom and Maddie off of the building, and fitting very well to the theme, Sonic runs to Catch Me I’m Falling by Kelly Filligan. We have officially caught up to where we left off at the beginning of the film.
The Final Battle (Sonic the Hedgehog V.S. Dr. Robotnik)
As Robotnik chases Sonic at high speeds, they travel the world, like going through the Great Wall of China, and the Sahara desert. Yes, I know it’s the Sahara desert, but it might just resemble other Sonic locations like the Dusty Desert from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). We then reach Green Hills, where Robotnik has the upper hand on Sonic. Thanks to Tom’s speech, Sonic reawakens with a burst of energy.
After watching that sequence, it made me look back on the film. They just sprinkled in these moments where when Sonic gets emotional, he gains more power. With the baseball game, he was sad, then when Sonic found out Tom was leaving, he was also upset, but at the final moment, he is happy, inspired, and content with his position. It’s what is able to differentiate Sonic and Robotnik. Sonic was able to be accepted, and he led that feeling of being an outcast to something good. Robotnik, on the other hand, took it for evil. Robotnik is then sent away to the Mushroom planet.
Wrapping Things Up
Tom and Maddie both then realise that Rachel is still tied up. Jojo is just running around scott free, saying Sonic’s iconic line, Gotta go fast. The scene then transitions to a piano rendition of the Green Hill Zone theme. Sonic is surprised by a new cave, set up by Tom and Maddie. We then end the film, with Robotnik’s new look, resembling more of the iconic look, with the crazy mustache and bald head. Tails then jumps on to the scene, on the hunt for Sonic. Which we see play out in the film’s sequel.
Breakdown Wrap Up
That is going to do it for my very first film breakdown! I had so much fun watching this film, and I suggest you go check out my review. Stay tuned next week for my review of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, as well as my breakdown of the film. Make sure you like and subscribe for more and visit The Big Stinker Blog if you want to check out a written version of my reviews and breakdowns. So, until next time stinkers! Bye bye.