Sonic (Universal Pictures film)

Sonic (also known as Sonic The Hedgehog) is a 2002 American animated adventure comedy film produced by Universal Animation and loosely based on the 1991 game series of the same name. It was directed by Genndy Tartakovsky in his directorial debut, and features the regular game and TV show cast of Ryan Drummond, Scott Dreier, Deem Bristow, Jim Cummings, Garry Chalk and Ian James Corlett, with Tom Kenny and Kel Mitchell being the voices of Ray and Mighty. It is centered around Sonic, In an attempt to steal the six Chaos Emeralds and harness their power, Dr. Robotnik turns animals into robots, so Sonic, who halt Robotnik's plans. Frees his animal friends and collects the emeralds himself.

The film premiered in Los Angeles on October 27, 2002, and was released in the United States two days later on October 29 by Universal Pictures. It earned over $70 million worldwide on a budget of $413 million at the box office. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its colorful visuals, humor, characterizations, and voice acting. The film has since been expanded into a franchise, with three sequels released, Sonic 2, released on July 23, 2006, Sonic VS. The Red Speed, released on March 22, 2011, and a prequel, Sonic: Before The First, released on July 12, 2016.

Plot
Sonic is a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds and curl into a ball, primarily to attack enemies. Life was great for Sonic, but soon, Eggman would announce world domination. Sonic must soon learn that the world would be ending thanks to Eggman. While his fan "Mighty", likes to get signatures from him. The mechanical animals must take attempts to end the incorporation, "Green Zones Inc.", He makes an alliance with Mighty and Ray. Coconuts take control of Green Zones Inc. (Then known in this film as Terrible Wasteland Inc.), Sonic needs to save the Green Zones building from ending. In a post credits scene, Knuckles says he will be back for some new adventure, Foreshadowing the threequel.

Easter eggs
There are multiple promotions in the film that appear as easter eggs, which are either camouflaged or hidden within other things.


 * The arcade in the film is full of homages to SEGA properties. There's Nights (from Nights into Dreams), Ristar (from the game of the same name) and Alex Kidd, Ecco the Dolphin, and Super Monkey Ball on posters. (All in the post-wasteland Green Hills)
 * Vectorman (2D-animated) at Green Hill Zone.
 * Earthworm Jim is seen as an easter egg.

DVD release
The film was released to DVD on March 12, 2003 and to Blu-Ray on June 12, 2013, accompanied by the extras "The Doomsday Project" (the final episode of Sonic the Hedgehog), and the exclusively-made 4 minute short "Shrek in... A Story Got Ya Good".

Production
The film started development in 1998 by Genndy Tartakovsky when he wanted to create a feature-length film for Universal, so he chose what he thought was an absurd plot and challenge himself to make it into an animated film. During an interview in 2007, he said the following: "When I was making my first feature film, I got ideas. So I made a drawing of Sonic, And I though I would make a movie of Sonic"

Casting
On October 27, 2002, the film was announced to star Ryan Drummond, Kevin Hart and Deem Bristow. On January 4, 2004, the film was announced to star Jim Cummings and Garry Chalk. On March 31, 2004, the film was announced to star Ian James Corlett, Tom Kenny and Kel Mitchell.

Score
The film's score is composed by Mark Motherbaugh, Paul Westerberg and Ramin Djawadi. The music of the film consists of instruments such as violin, piano, trumpet, saxophone, drums, and organ.

Trivia

 * "Fastest Thing Alive", the original theme song of Sonic the Hedgehog, is heard twice; first as a remixed version in the opening sequence, then second as a dark reversed remixed theme tune of the Terrible Wasteland building.