True to its Sega video-game roots, this futuristic 60-minute movie includes a lot of yelling, crashing, and exploding on the way to saving the world. Sonic and his sidekicks are determined to thwart a plan that would tur... more »n their Land of the Sky into the equivalent of The Land of Darkness, which lurks beneath the surface (and is obviously the former planet Earth). So they plow through to the center of the planet and the ancient city of Robotropolis (the former New York City?) to do righteous battle. The big question of the day is whether the usually evil Dr. Robotnik is telling the truth for once or sending the good guys into a trap. The tape's producers suggest viewers be at least 7 years old because of its violence, but the rudimentary nature of the animation will probably make it appealing only to hard-core action fans among the older-kid crowd. --Kimberly Heinrichs« less
Nnie the Hideous New Girl | Brookfield, Connecticut United States | 05/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I remember when many of my friends and I obsessed over the old SEGA Genesis games featuring Sonic the Hedgehog. Now, after seeing some of the best anime from overseas, I still can't stop loving Sonic. There are some minor flaws to the movie, but it's just too much fun to notice.First off, let me warn you: GET THE DVD AND ONLY PLAY THE JAPANESE VERSION! The dub will literally hurt your ears. The seiyuu picked for the Japanese voices, however, are excellent. (Especially for Knux!) Never watch the dub unless you need a spiteful laugh. I don't know what they were trying to do, but both Sonic and Tails sound like they have nasal problems. Knuckles' voice is just wrong. The only reason I did not detract stars is because I never need to listen to the dub again. The Japanese version is music to my ears.And about the music... It's great! The general SEGA style, upbeat, technoish, fast and fun. It's all too catchy. The animation is a bit DBZish. (That's not a compliment) I guess it most reminds me of Final Fantasy Unlimited because there are very few shadows that define the characters... They look a bit two dimensional. Surprisingly, it improves a bit during the second half of the movie.The characters in it are: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Eggman, Sarah, Old Man (Some owl), and the President who is father of Sarah. None others. (Sorry comic and cartoon fans, no freedom fighters besides the blue blur and flying fox) I don't mind, though, because for the condenced and isolated story, it works to have only the main characters. And while it doesn't follow nearly the same way, it does remind me of the games.I highly recommend this to Sonic fans, but like I said, keep it Japanese. Hey, it IS anime, afterall."
It was okay, but not great
spottedneko | Tulsa, OK USA | 01/30/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Pros:1. The music is great
2. It's pretty funny
3. The battle scenes were really goodCons:1. The voices are HORRIBLE!
2. The artwork could've been better
3. It needed a better storyline
4. Sara, the person that they have to save is an indrecibly annoying idiot, and it's a wonder why Sonic didn't just throw her off a cliff
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Well, here's a brief description. Eggman threatens to kidnap Sara, the presidents daughter if Sonic doesn't save "the land of Darkness" from this reactor blowing up. So Sonic goes to "the land of Darkness", and it turns out to be a trap, and so, Sonic has to fight "Hyper Metal Sonic". It's basically like the video game - Run around. Blow up robots. Yay. It's good for a game, but not for a movie. I wouldn't really reccomend this, unless you're a kid. (I think it was just made for kids, so pre-teens, teenagers and adults think it's a waste of time)"
Great job! This is a excellent movie.
Devon Lozano | Fort Worth, TX USA | 08/02/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is fantastic! Although they cut out the 2 parts shown only in the Japenese version of Sonic flipping Dr. Robotnik off, and where Knuckles says "S**t", its still a great movie! It revolves around Dr. Robotnik tricking Sonic into going to an island, where he has to fight a robot that is exactly like him in every way! Even his heart is in the right place. And the end theme "Look-a-like" goes so well with the movie that its not even funny! Ofcourse it would have been a little better had it of been a little longer, the action and the graphics are great! This is why I must give it 4 stars. Except, well...Sonic/Tails/Knuckles's voices are a little messed up...Tails sounds like he has a cold, Sonic sounds like a brittish guy trying to have a American accent, and Knuckles is kind of bland.."
The best sonic movie (or show) ever?
Strategos | In Space above Planet Earth | 04/29/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While there has never in my opinion been a cartoon that fully captures the spirit of speed and adventure found in the best Sonic games, this movie probably does the best job I've seen so far. Is the voice acting stupendous? No, more like hilariously cheesy (in a good way). Is the animation incredibly life-like and fluid. Not really, more like Saturday morning cartoons. And the characterization? The video games are deeper.Why is it so great then?SPEED.This movie is fast, fast, fast. If you like the motion-blue zip-zagging that many anime are famous for you'll probably love the action sequences (I know I did). If you love the idea of sonic fighting metal sonic you'll love their fights in particular. And if you can get into the spirit of the whole thing (it is MEANT to be funny and DEFINITELY not to be taken seriously) you'll have a great time. I especially love the music, and the weird jokes like Robotnik and Sara playing a fighting game and her losing over and over.Overall, this is definitely one worth checking out if you are a big video game or sonic fan, or if you've exhausted all the well-known action anime and are looking for something fresh and different (and maybe something cheesy like some of the great movies from the 80's).Oh, and you've got to love the springboards and spikes! Right out of the video games..."
I LOVE this movie
Patrick | Wisconsin, USA | 10/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First of I'm a huge Sonic fan. The old Sonic...Genesis versions. This movie was everything I could hope for. But I didn't expect it to be so funny! The animation, the story, the humor is all so perfect in this movie!"