Sonic 2 is the sequel to the hit video game Sonic the Hedgehog. This time Sonic is joined by Tails.
The movie stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Lee Majdoub and Jim Carrey. It also features new characters Idris Elba as Knuckles and Colleen O’Shaughnessy as Tails.
Gameplay
After the success of Sonic the Hedgehog, it was expected that its sequel would be just as good. Unfortunately, 123 movies sonic 2 falls short of that expectation.
Fortunately, the game’s gameplay remains strong and fun. The stages are well designed and feature several paths for players to take. The addition of new baddies and a new move, the spin dash, adds an extra level of difficulty to the proceedings.
The game also features a number of power-ups that can be used to boost the speed and strength of Sonic. These include the force field, speed shoes, and invincibility.
One of the most challenging levels in the game is Chemical Plant Zone. Featuring spikes, a powerful exploding chemical plant, and an out-of-control Mega Mack, this stage requires a high degree of skill to get through successfully.
Characters
Sonic and his friends are joined by a few new additions. Tails the two-tailed fox, who was originally an anthropomorphic character in the first movie, now plays a more central role in this installment as he helps Sonic search for the Master Emerald.
The voice of Tails is provided by Colleen O’Shaughnessey, who’s voicing her for Sonic since 2014. She also voices Sora Takenouchi in the Digimon franchise and Ino Yamanaka in the “Naruto” anime.
Knuckles the echidna is another new addition to this film. He and Robotnik are looking for a master emerald that contains magical powers.
He was chased from his home planet by a rival echidna tribe, and is now reunited with Robotnik. He’s been a loyal Robotnik ally, and is obsessed with beating Sonic.
The only other recurring Sonic character with a formal job is Rouge the Bat, who’s an agent for GUN and often works alongside Eggman as a jewel thief. She has a soft spot for Shadow and will always do her best to help him out.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Sonic 2 is a highly enjoyable orchestral ride from start to finish. It’s packed full of fantastic tunes that capture the various stages in all their glory, while also bringing together Sonic’s theme and the memorable themes for both Robotnik and new hedgehog Knuckles.
Tom Holkenborg’s score for Sonic 2 is a slick, energetic affair that’s an absolute blast to listen to. There are several motifs from the first score (Sonic’s, Robotnik’s and the brand-new theme for Knuckles) which return to this sequel score, while a new motif for Knuckles also joins in to give a malevolent edge to the overall proceedings.
Composer Holkenborg’s music for this Sonic the Hedgehog sequel reflects Sonic’s continued quest to rid the world of Robotnik, with ominous electronics opening Blue Menace and a short rendition of Robotnik’s motif rapidly surging into action on tense, high-pitched brass and percussion before light strings and calm, hopeful woodwinds settle down to play Sonic’s theme as he races back towards the finish line.
Story
Sonic the Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) continues to grow as a hero after being banished to the Mushroom Planet. He and his newest sidekick Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) find themselves on an epic globe-trotting quest for a “Chaos Emerald” that possesses “ultimate power.”
A return to Earth by Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), a ludicrously over-the-top mad scientist, with Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba) and GUN agents puts them in jeopardy. Luckily for them, Sonic and Tails are able to acquire a compass that leads them to the Emerald.
The compass lands them in Hawaii, where they crash the wedding of Tom and Maddie’s daughter Rachel (Natasha Rothwell), which turns out to be a sham. In their midst, GUN agents capture Sonic and Tails, but they’re soon rescued by Maddie and Rachel. The Hawaii plot is a bit unnecessary, but it does give Fowler and writers Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Whittington the opportunity to really dive into Sega’s Sonic world, making this sequel one of the most genuinely fun Sonic adventures yet.