Kid’s Movie Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

I had to take my kindergarten class on a field trip to see this movie today. This short review is my way of making the best of it.

Only a few of my 5–6 year olds were really familiar with Sonic. Some of them had never been to the cinema before.

They all said they liked it. They all said they would like to see it again. A couple found the plot and the main character arcs predictable. Yes, 5–6 year olds found it predictable, but they liked it.

What did I think of it, as their teacher? It was okay for a kid’s movie and I could sit through it again if I had to. The performances were good, of course, with Jim Carey and James Marsden… I wouldn’t expect anything else. Certain things were predictable and it’s message was a bit schmaltzy. There were a few fart jokes and the villain had a few insults I wouldn’t want my kids to use on each other. Still, most of the insults went right over their heads and were obviously aimed at the adults in the audience.

What I found more problematic and will talk with them about tomorrow was the way Siberian Russians were portrayed. What bothered me more, but I will keep to myself (as they really wouldn’t understand) is the fact that they chose a middle eastern man (Lee Majdoub) to play the villain’s adoring sidekick. Just why? I also didn’t like the way a side character uses alcohol as liquid courage and main characters use it as a sign that they’re relaxing. Kids movies really shouldn’t glorify alcohol use in any way. What the hell is alcohol doing in a kid’s movie anyhow?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is far from being a classic children’s movie, but it is watchable and good enough.

I give it 3/5 stars. IMDB gave it 6.6/10.