SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Jeff Fowler and Paramount Pictures is the next adventure for the team with SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3.

Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) are spending a little quality time with Doughnut Lord Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter). That is one of the gangs’ favorite things to do and they are soaking it up until a helicopter from G.U.N. shows up and Director Rockwell (Krysten Ritter) tells the three that they need help. With what?

Well, there is a new hedgehog on the loose named Shadow (Keanu Reeves) and he is angry and destructive. Sonic quickly realizes that his hostility is going to be difficult for Tails and Knuckles so it is decided they are going to call on the one person who might be able to help – Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub) brings the group before a dilapidated Eggman but once he discovers what is happening to some of his hardware, he doctors up and agrees to help.

That is until he discovers who is responsible for Shadow plus the chaos and its none other than – well, I’ll let you find out for yourself. Robotnik is thriller at the chance to once again be a part of the master plan that calls for putting the hedgehogs in danger. With a new sense of purpose and a new, very tight outfit, Robotnik and his new friends are taking aim at G.U.N.

Now Sonic, Tails and Knuckles must do what they do best, find clever ways to outsmart Shadow and Robotnik before they carry out their twisted plan for revenge, each for their own reasons!

Schwartz voicing Sonic gets to, once again, come up with fast talk, fast one-liners and going fast on his feet. This character is so very funny and if you don’t think so then you might want to ask Santa for a new funny bone. O’Shaughnessey voicing Tails is the smart hedgehog who understands how to create and work technology – and, to quote Agent Stone, Tails is “adorable”. Elba voicing Knuckles is the muscle of the bunch who finds no problem in fighting and has no problem offering up his services.

Marsden as Doughnut Lord Tom is so supportive of the hedgehog gang. He treats them as family and offers up fatherly advice when needed. He also finds himself in the middle of the action whether he wants to or not but its not always a bad thing. Sumpter as Maddie supports the hedgehogs just as much as her husband Tom does. When the couple gets an opportunity to spend time alone together, it doesn’t take long before Maddie is happy to join the gang on an adventure.

Carrey as Dr. Robotnik is absolutely stellar, hilarious and falls back into this role with ease. He is a total crack-up with his one-liners and even a few references that you have to be quick to catch. I’m so happy to see Carrey again in any capacity but, to be honest, my family truly adores him as Dr. Robotnik. So having Dr. Robotnik during Grinch season is everything we could have asked for from Santa.

Reeves as the newest hedgehog Shadow gets to be the dark presence of power. He has a bone to pick with anyone that has been a part of his 50-year captivity and has no problem showing what he can do. Reeves voice goes deep and lets us know from the beginning that he is a force on a mission. Majdoub as Agent Stone is still loyal to Dr. Robotnik, even when he feels like something is coming between them. Majdoub gives his role the middle-man appearance because he cares about his boss but also is curious about the hedgehogs!

Shout out to Ritter as Director Rockwell. Her character doesn’t trust anyone and both sides keep her on her toes!

Other cast include Jorma Taccone as Kyle, Sofia Pernas as Gabriella, Cristo Fernandez as Pablo, Natasha Rothwell as Rachel, Shemar Moore as Randall, Tom Butler as Commander Walters, Adam Pally as Wade Whipple, and Alyla Browne as Maria.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 has so much going for it. First of all, the special effects are so much fun and amazingly done. Then we have the story of three hedgehogs that are part of Tom and Maddie’s family to the point that they can not imagine their lives without them. There is also the story of a friendship and teamwork that Sonic, Tails and Knuckles hold dear and is put to the test. Dr. Robotnik returns with a bit of a story all his own as well and the addition of another hedgehog in Shadow who also has a story to tell.

Normally, that would be a lot of stories to tell but here it works! There isn’t a moment to take a breath because everything plays out in a fast (what did you expect, its Sonic!) paced adventure scene after scene. I love the wit behind the one-liners and, if you are as quick as they are, you’ll catch things that will have you saying, “whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?” and then laughing hard. There is humor for the kids and for the adults and sometimes they meet in the middle. The applause during the movie was a fun surprise. It reminded us all the reasons why Sonic became so popular in the first place and yes, I still have my original Sega and we will be playing the game later tonight.

Just in time for the holidays, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 means a fantastically fun time at the theatre for those of us who remember Sonic’s start, to families that have been following his rise over these many years and those who have caught on to the fun in recent years. Basically, it means a good time will be had by all!

In the end – new adventure and new rival!

They are all Back with SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Jeff Fowler and Paramount Pictures is the next adventure with SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2.

Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) is living his best life with Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter). Happy to be getting a chance to run the house for a bit, Tom and Maddie are off to Hawaii for Rachel’s (Natasha Rothwell) and Randall’s (Shemar Moore) wedding. What no one knew is what was happening off the planet.

Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) is making his own plans to get off the planet Sonic sent him to. Sending out a signal, it is answered almost right away, and he meets Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) who is looking for the most powerful gem in the universe. This intrigues Dr. Robotnik, and he convinces Knuckles to get him back to earth to find what he is looking for.

Sonic’s mini vacation does not last long when he realizes that Robotnik is back and has brought a powerful friend. Getting to Hawaii through a ring, it takes seconds before it becomes clear that the wedding was not as it should have been. When Sonic, his new friend Tails (voiced by Coleen O’Shaughnessey) and Tom are taken by agents of GUN, it is Maddie and Rachel who are going to get them free.

That is what has to be done if they are to stop Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles from finding the green gem. It is a race against time and an understanding that sometimes someone who calls you friend really isn’t.

Schwartz voicing as Sonic is hilarious with jokes, one-liners, recognizable references and a heart as big as any world in the universe. He knows the meaning of friendship, loyalty, fun and doing what is right for the planet he has come to love. My granddaughter loved Sonic before from the game and the cartoons but having him larger than life on the big screen filled her with so much joy, thanks for that Mr. Schwartz.

Elba as Knuckles voiced his character with the right amount of no sense of humor, trying to understand a very different world and change his attitude about a tribe of people he truly did not know. He learns the hard way that the word ‘friendship’ means different things to evil-different people. O’Shaughnessey as Tails is endearing from start to finish and adds to the trio with smarts and a very fast tail.

Marsden as Tom continues to enjoy having Sonic around, even if he feels a bit like a parent. He keeps his eye out for the blue ward living in his home and wants what is best for him, even if it means having to stand back and trust that Sonic knows what he is doing. Sumpter as Maddie is of the same mindset as husband Tom, that Sonic may need watching over from time to time but trusting he knows how to handle Robotnik is important.

Rothwell as Rachel takes her character to another very funny level. She wants to like Tom and she sees Sonic as a pest but when the opportunity arises, she realizes that they need Sonic. Moore as Randall chose to mess with the wrong woman, except perhaps she might not be the wrong woman.

Now, lets talk about Carrey as Dr. Robotnik – absolutely fantastic! He is fun in an evil way, witty, sly, and does not care one wit what anyone thinks about him. I love when Carrey gets the opportunity to be creative and let his facial expressions crack me up, his line delivery is sheer hilarity and mixing the two together with body language is everything. I would love to see him be the chunky Dr. Robotnik before he hangs up his moustache permanently.

Other cast include Adam Pally as Wade, Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone, and Antwan Eilish as Nick.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 is the perfect family film in every way. It is two hours of fun packed for kids and kids at heart. I loved the action (so did my six-year-old granddaughter who is a huge Sonic fan), the storyline, adventure, humor, references to so many different things from films to other universes and still wrapped around the relationship with Tom, Maddie and Sonic.

Who could have thought that a video game from Sega in 1991 with the storyline of a little blue hedgehog would turn into the success in theatres in 2022. Even through its evolution, the character of Sonic has reached more than three generations in thirty-one years. Now, fans can get together once again to see what the new adventure has to share with them.

In the end – welcome to the next level!

BOSS BABY 2: Family Business Bring Brothers Back Together

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Tom McGrath and DreamWorks animation is the story of two brothers who might just have to be reminded about family in BOSS BABY 2: Family Business.

Tim Templeton (James Marsden) is a grown-up family man with wife Carol (Eva Longoria) and daughters Tabitha (Ariana Greenblatt) and baby Tina (Amy Sedaris). Also, a stay-at-home Dad, he makes sure that his family is happy and filled with fun. Missing from his life is brother Theodore (Alec Baldwin) who has grown into a very rich CEO hedge fund businessman.

Recently daughter Tabitha seems to be growing apart from Dad Tim and he can not understand why. Going to the Acorn Center for Advanced Childhood run by Dr. Erin Armstrong who teaches the kids to be free thinkers. Tabitha is also preparing to take part in the school performance and does not want any help from Dad.

As the holidays approach, an unexpected visitor bursts into the Templeton home. Uncle Ted has come believing that something is wrong with Tabitha. That is when the brothers and Tina spend some alone time and they realize that she is on a mission for BabyCorp. Tina tells the brothers that they must infiltrate the Acorn Center because something is not right and to do that – that is right – they need to work together.

The brothers make a plan that turns their world upside down, but it is all done in the name of family!

Marsden as Timothy has grown up and being the father that not only loves his family but wants them to be happy in any way possible. Missing his brother, he buries that feeling and dedicates his life to Tabitha and Tina. Yet, the time has come for brothers to work together again and help BabyCorp keep their work going for all babies.

Baldwin as Ted is back with his usual amazing sarcasm, stunning wit and perfect delivery. Okay, so I am thrilled that Baldwin gets to have such a character that is so hysterically memorable with a script that gave this actor the opportunity to entertain. As the older Ted it is grand to see that some things never change – and happily so!

Sedaris as Tina makes a surprise entrance letting her father know that things have not changed much in the baby world. Getting Tim and Ted together for a mission is like trying to round up penguins on ice – difficult but not impossible. Greenblatt as Tabitha is a young girl trying to find her way. Her changes affect the relationship with her father, but Tim is not about to give up what he loves.

Let us talk Goldblum as Dr. Armstrong, first of all – I laughed so hard watching his character on the screen with the matching wit of Ted and disguised sticky sweet sarcasm. Goldblum lends his recognizable vocals to a character that has plans of his own. He has his own secret to share and once exposed, it is up to Ted and Tim to do what they do best, be brothers!

Other cast include Jimmy Kimmel as Grandpa Ted Templeton Sr. and Lisa Kudrow as Grandma Janice Templeton.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

BOSS BABY 2: Family Business is such a fun film for everyone, and I plan to watch it again and again. I love that DreamWorks makes their animated film with humor that reaches everyone. The story is about family and the disconnect that sometimes happens, but it is also wrapped up in adventure and humor with the end result of remembering who we love and why.

The film is brightly animated, fast paced and just a giggle fest from start to finish. Baldwin, Marsden and Goldblum keep us on our mental toes while Greenblatt and Sedaris give us a look at the next generation that will deal with BabyCorp. Showing us a side of a stay-at-home Dad and the pressures of a pre-teen invite us into the Templeton family and my family hopes they will come again.

Get the entire family together and see what the Templeton gang are up to bringing laughs, adventure and pure enjoyment in a time where we welcome them with open arms.

In the end – playtime is over!

 

 

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday with break-neck speed from director Jeff Fowler and Paramount Pictures comes a new meaning to the word fast provided by SONIC THE HEDGEHOG.

Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) is the local law in their small town where nothing really happens. When a letter arrives offering him a job in San Francisco, wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter) believes he will finally be happy with the life change. When she goes off to San Fran to look for a place to live, Tom is back on duty trying to figure out how to tell everyone.

In the surrounding forest lives Sonic (Ben Schwartz), a blue alien who knows everything about Tom and pretty much everyone else. Trying to stay under the radar, imagine the surprise when a disturbing town power outage brings Sonic face-to-face with Tom! The rather unusual event also catches the attention of Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) who isn’t about to let anything stop him from discovering the truth.

Using his uber technology, Robotnik finds himself at Tom’s doorstep and the two make it plain what their intentions are. Robotnik wants the fast-blue alien and Tom wants to protect Sonic from anyone getting their hands on hurting him. Making a run for it, it becomes clear that Sonic has to leave Earth but the only way to do that is by the pouch of rings that accidentally got sent to the top of a building in San Francisco.

It’s time for them to take a road trip and what happens along the way brings about learning for them both including a little fun. But they are always looking behind them to see how close the relentless Dr. Robotnik is because he isn’t at all about having fun – he’s about being in control.

Tom and Sonic have a few tricks up their sleeve to give their nemesis something to think about!

Marsden as Tom is a small-town sheriff who doesn’t realize what kind of life that truly is. Meeting Sonic isn’t just about protecting an alien, their time together really gives him an opportunity to see the world in a different way – through Sonic’s eyes. Marsden is charming, sweet and patient (not sure I could be THAT patient) and doesn’t scare easily. Watching Marsden take on Robotnik is entertaining but then again, his whole character is.

Schwartz as the voice of Sonic is fast talking and fast on his feet. Most of us know the character of Sonic but don’t hear him in the video games (yes, I play video games!) so finally hearing him speak in the film is fun, silly (as my granddaughter says) and full of spunk and excitement.

Carrey as Dr. Robotnik is nothing short of stunning, hilarious and everything my family and I wanted to see. Having seen a sneak peek last year presented by Carrey himself, no one was going to tell me if the film was good, bad or indifferent – I was going to see it! This is a comic who has always made me and daughter Jenise laugh and that is saying something. From the very first we knew there was something unique about his humor and special about his ability to use facial expressions and timing. As Robotnik I laughed at his cutting (and admittedly sometimes adult humor) and now can’t imagine anybody else playing Robotnik (or Egg-man as the granddaughter prefers to call him).

Sumpter as wife Maddie is the calm in the middle of the Sonic Storm. She supports whatever Tom wants to do but when she sees Sonic, the extra calm kicks in because she isn’t going to move from her spot until her questions are answered. Melody Niemann as JoJo is absolutely adorable and the reason behind one of Sonics iconic accessories. Shout out to Natasha Rothwell as Maddie’s sister Rachel because she is hilarious. Not exactly thrilled that her sister is married to Tom, she doesn’t miss an opportunity to throw her two cents in which is thrown back when Sonic is near!

Other cast include Tom Butler as Commander Walters, Frank Turner as Crazy Carl, Elfina Luk as Secretary of Homeland Security, Adam Pally as Billy Robb, Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone and Neal McDonough as Major Bennington.

Let me get this out of the way and move on, I am thrilled that they made the changes to Sonic as now he feels and looks more like the character as I thought he should look. He is edgy, really blue and, well, fast! Also, this is going to be a strictly liking the film or it not being on your film radar, it’s a simple as that.

Now, I taught my granddaughter to play the original Sega Sonic the Hedgehog and she picked up on it quick and learned all the characters without me saying a word! Now, she has her sonic pajamas, socks, stuffed doll and the most awesome sunglasses. It is hard to believe that my first experience with Sonic was a game played back in in 1991 taught to me by my sons. The following Christmas they got me a Sega system to play the games and – are you ready for this? – I still have it and it still works (are you reading this Sega?).

So, to go see the film with my family was beyond fun, it was a great day at the theatre. Look, this isn’t rocket science, it is just an escape to the movies for families that want to do something fun together. The adults are going to be brought back to a pretty cool time in their then young lives and the kids are going to giggle at all the antics Sonic provides.

It is the reason we go to the movies as a family, there is something for everyone and with a run time of 99 minutes there isn’t a second of non-stop action. There are just silly laughs and a good time with the family.

In the end – when the world needs a hero…think fast!