What I’m watching: a video game film I know nothing about

Date: 5/12/2020

I almost never play video games. I’ve never played “Sonic the Hedgehog.” I’ve never watched the cartoon series based on the character.

I’m completely ignorant of this property, so this is a true test of whether or not this new live action/animated film can stand on its own merits and if a 65 year-old can tolerate it.

The only thing I knew about the film is the studio had to re-do the animation of Sonic as the initial design of his teeth as seen in previews was very human-like and disturbed people. Perhaps that was a first in animation history.

This film has the shortest origin story ever. Sonic lives on a distant world where he is simply the fastest thing alive. He gets the local population angry and his protector, an owl, sends him to Earth, traveling through a magical ring.

That’s it. Now let’s move on.

He winds up in a small town in Montana where he lives relatively undetected as he learns about his new home. He lives in the woods where he has acquired a number of things from the nearby town. I will admit I smiled when he is seen reading “The Flash” comic books.

Sonic is very attracted to the local police officer Tom (James Marsden) and his wife a veterinarian and has settled down to a new life when he accidentally discharges so much energy he caused a huge power outage that attracts the attention of the military.

The Joint Chiefs call in, with some reluctance, the technological genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).

Robotnik quickly assesses where to go and the chase begins. And this is what this film is all about: a chase between the good guy and bad guy and the growth of a friendship between Sonic and Tom.

Robotnik soon realizes that Sonic is capable of generating huge amounts of energy and he wants him for his own purposes.

It is all silly and fast-moving fun. “Sonic” is not a great movie by any means, but it seems to avoid some of the pitfalls of the animated movies aimed at a children’s market. The animation is well done and while the story is simple, it’s not insulting.

Marsden is one of those dependable actors who isn’t a star but can handle both drama and comedy well. These are the kind of films many performers would essentially walk through, as they know the eyes will be on the animated character, but Marsden doesn’t phone it in.

Carrey also puts in the effort as the villain. His performance would indicate he seems to enjoy it and the outtakes, which are among the extras on the Blu-ray, seem to show that. His Robotnik is the kind of villain who revels in his evilness and is spiritually the kind of character who would tie the heroine to a railroad track in the silent days. I was hoping he would twirl his mustache a bit.

Rated PG I would say this film – available both streaming, on Blu-ray and at Red Box – is a perfect way to spend 90 minutes with a house full of bored children.