Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Game-based sequel levels up the positive messages; peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 25 parent reviews
What's the Story?
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 picks up a few years after Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) succeeded in foiling Dr. Ivo Robotnik's (Jim Carrey) quest to take over the world in the first movie. While the town sheriff/Sonic's guardians Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) are on vacation, Dr. Robotnik returns to seek revenge with new partner Knuckles the Echidna (voiced by Idris Elba). Their goal is to locate the powerful Master Emerald and conquer Earth. To save his new home, Sonic will have to race to find the gem first.
Is It Any Good?
Transforming a video game character into a hilarious preteen alien who wants to be a superhero is a stroke of brilliance. It's an incredibly effective way to deliver relatability and positive messages to young viewers. That said, the action comedy embodies Sonic's point of view almost too much: It feels like a fifth grader hopped up on sugar, running at full speed in a million different directions. Part of the story focuses on how Sonic's relationship with Tom and Maddie has developed since the first film. They're Sonic's guardians and treat him as their child, and through the story they come to recognize that they're a family. But since Tom and Maddie function as his parents, the writers have to get them out of the way so they don't stop Sonic from going on a wild adventure. They travel to Hawaii for the wedding of Maddie's sister, Rachel (Natasha Rothwell), in a subplot that's meant to tie up loose ends but really creates an unnecessary distraction from Sonic's story.
Meanwhile, Dr. Robotnik's mustache has grown along with his insanity while he's been exiled to the Mushroom Planet. As he works to achieve world domination, yet another subplot features his adoring henchman, Stone (Lee Majdoub), trying to reunite with his boss. While it's very funny, this adventure ultimately bites off a bit too much, trying to show kids what it means to be a hero, what it means to be a friend, and what it means to be a family. It all gets swallowed and digested, but it sure takes a long time to chew. Still, the meandering story will likely only be a concern to adults. Kids will probably think this sequel, like Sonic, is out of this world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what "you don't choose your moment to be a hero, your moment chooses you" means. What is a hero?
Talk about the violence and peril in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Does the animation and the humor make it less scary/affect the impact it has on you?
Sonic is a kid: Does that make it easier to relate to his adventures?
Films often show positive characters (including Sonic) lying to achieve something good. Why do you think screenwriters use that device, and what happens in real life if you're caught lying?
How many different examples of teamwork are shown throughout the film? How does acting with compassion turn Sonic's enemy into a friend? Why is compassion an important life skill?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 8, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: August 9, 2022
- Cast: Ben Schwartz , Idris Elba , Jim Carrey , Colleen O'Shaughnessey
- Director: Jeff Fowler
- Inclusion Information: Black actors, Female actors
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship , Space and Aliens
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- Run time: 122 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: action, some violence, rude humor, and mild language
- Award: Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated: September 5, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Watch Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate