Live-action/computer-animation mix of yet one more popular videogame must have seemed something of a risky/expensive joke while in development.* But with SONIC 3 rocking the current Holiday Box-Office, who’s laughing now? A deserved hit from the start, it’s only gotten bigger. (2 and 3 not seen here.) Gags & action very ADHD, which fits Sonic, stuck on earth where he’s trying to stop Jim Carrey’s diabolical intergalactic strongman from taking over the world. Fortunately he carries gold ring Black Hole portals with him. (Doesn’t everyone?) And, after sorting out their new relationship, gets help from new human pal James Marsden to reestablish order. Fun, if a little relentless in the manner of the first DEADPOOL/’17, it’s really more reminiscent (make that prescient), unexpectedly so, of EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE/’22 (and not just stylistically). Even more unexpectedly, it’s a lot more engaging (and certainly less pretentious) than that seriously taken award winner. Zippy, light-hearted, technically savvy direction by Jeff Fowler (okay, also exhausting) and without a weak link in the cast. Sonic voiced by Ben Schwartz with James Marsden as his winning pal (crazy young looking at 47), while Jim Carrey is only slightly held back by having to sit for much of the film in a space vehicle. (A good thing? Or does it make him play more broadly to make up for the immobility?) Easy to see why this took off; easy to tell whether or not you’d want try 2 & 3.
DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: As mentioned, more free association in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2022/12/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-2022.html
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID: *Though no joke to its fan base who were appalled at early renderings of Sonic and waged a successful campaign to redesign the character closer to the little computer beastie.
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