Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

The headline frames the sequel as more hyperactive hedgehog fun, suggesting a positive verdict. Its energetic, hyperactive feel is the only apparent point of praise in the accessible text.

The accessible material identifies this as a review but does not reveal the critic’s verdict. The standfirst highlights the sequel’s high-octane approach and increased meta humour.

Lowe finds the sequel frantic and entertaining for family audiences, though it feels overstuffed and does not expand the franchise in a meaningful way. He praises Jim Carrey’s physical comedy and Ben Schwartz’s lively voice performance, while noting that Sonic’s frantic tone grows tiring.

Allen finds the sequel entertaining but overstuffed. He singles out Jim Carrey’s energetic performance as a bright spot.

The critic finds this a lively but uneven sequel that confirms the franchise still has momentum. They praise Jim Carrey’s performance and the sharper action, while criticizing the Hawaii wedding subplot and familiar story beats.

The critic finds the sequel charmless, overlong, and incoherent, with little engaging action or character development. They single out Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s lively Tails performance as a rare bright spot.

The AV Club finds the sequel an improvement over its predecessor, but says it is overlong and too rushed to land effectively. It singles out Jim Carrey’s maximalist performance for praise, while criticizing the distracting wedding subplot.

Felperin finds the sequel mildly amusing and competently assembled, but ultimately unremarkable and overlong. She singles out Jim Carrey’s energetic Robotnik performance, while noting the film’s disparate storylines only sort of come together.

Debruge finds the sequel fun and clever at first, but says it turns generic and overstays its welcome. He praises its playful nods to the games and Jim Carrey’s villainous performance.

Richards advises readers not to rush to see the sequel. He describes its antics as hectic and the film as inane.

Nugent finds the sequel generic, overlong family entertainment that amounts to a half-baked distraction. He singles out Jim Carrey’s committed, over-the-top performance as its near-saving grace.

Ebiri finds the sequel baggy, bloated, and a disappointment compared with the first film. He praises Jim Carrey’s comic delivery, but says the film lacks the earlier movie’s improvisatory spark.

The critic pans the sequel as a rushed, creatively empty cash-in. They single out its unfinished-looking computer graphics as especially poor.

Donato finds the sequel a satisfying, fan-friendly step forward, despite some frayed plotlines and juvenile gags. He especially praises Jim Carrey’s physical comedy and the lively performances of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles.

The critic finds the sequel a nostalgic, energetic joy for fans, though its excessive runtime and weak human-character subplots hold it back. They praise the lively animated characters, especially Idris Elba’s Knuckles and Colleen O'Shaughnessey returning as Tails.

The critic finds the sequel a surprisingly satisfying, enjoyable family follow-up, despite its disposable-franchise feel. Jim Carrey’s uninhibited performance and the screenplay’s sharper comic moments stand out for praise.

The critic finds the sequel entertaining but overly familiar, ultimately calling it mostly harmless. They single out its barrage of references to other films and games, while noting that the action provides some fun.

The review finds the sequel an enjoyable fan-pleaser, though overlong and slowed by detours from its central story. It praises Ben Schwartz’s lively, well-judged performance as Sonic and the fun addition of Tails and Knuckles.

Crow finds the sequel a slight improvement but still a bland, tedious experience, apart from its appeal to young fans. He singles out Natasha Rothwell’s comic scenes with James Marsden as a welcome, CG-free reprieve.

The critic finds the sequel wearying, unfunny, and overlong, though not demonstrably worse than the original. He singles out Jim Carrey’s energetic performance as a bright spot amid the film’s weak humor and bloated setpieces.

The headline signals a negative verdict on the sequel. It faults the film for speeding past what makes the series special.