When the first images from Paramount Pictures' cinematic adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog surfaced, they received widespread backlash online for the eponymous video game character's initial design.
Fortunately, after a visual overhaul, response to the film appears to be skewing positive based on early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. At the time of this writing, Sonic has a score of 66 percent, with many praising it as a fast, fun, family-friendly film and the perfect showcase for Jim Carrey's villainous performance as Doctor Ivo Robotnik.
This puts Sonic the Hedgehog's critical reception not only above many previous video game adaptations but also roughly on par with 2019's Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, which scored 69 percent.
CBR's own advance review of the film was less favorable, praising the cast's performances but regarding the overall movie as being paced unevenly. Industry analysts project Sonic the Hedgehog taking the top spot at the domestic box office this weekend, estimating its earnings at $40-45 million.
Opening Feb. 14, director Jeff Fowler's Sonic the Hedgehog stars Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, with James Marsden, Neal McDonald, Tika Sumpter, Adam Pally and Natasha Rothwell.