You’d be forgiven for wondering if the success of the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie was a total fluke. After all, were it not for intense community feedback 

Especially with the introduction of rival Knuckles the Echidna to automatically guarantee fan support.

There is no need to worry about such a cynical follow-up, as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 not only goes out of its way to respect the fans’ time by focusing the majority of its action.  

This is a rare movie that is both an excellent video-game adaptation and a sequel that’s better than its predecessor. 

Picking up right where the first movie left us, Sonic 2 sees a maniacal Doctor Robotnik/Eggman (played by Jim Carrey) escape his Mushroom Planet prison and find his way back to Earth.  

The two form an alliance to track the hedgehog down and obtain the Master Emerald, a powerful gem that Knuckles believes is his by ancestral birthright. 

Meanwhile, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is settling in to life on Earth by attempting to solve crimes and rescue citizens.  

Sonic’s abilities and judgment is tested after a confrontation with Eggman and Knuckles that kick-start a series of chaotic events.