Computers / Recordable DVDs / Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie DVD

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie isn't really a movie at all. Actually, it's a 2-part OVA (original video animation) that was released in Japan in 1996. In 1999, ADV Films picked it up for American release, merging them into a "movie" and releasing it on DVD and VHS.

Don't let that put you off, though. Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie is pure fun. Sonic's arch nemesis Dr. Robotnik is back, and this time...he needs help? Apparently he was kicked out of his home in Robotropolis by an even bigger villain named Metal Robotnik, and if Sonic doesn't race there, his Egg Generator will explode, destroying the entire planet. But little does Sonic know that there's a much darker plot going on behind the scenes, and before he knows it, he'll be face to face with the most powerful foe he's ever encountered: the malacious Metal Sonic!

From the get go you can tell this "movie" is two parts, the first half-hour revolving around Sonic's journey, the second featuring Metal Sonic's rampage. If you're a fan of crazy adventures and high-speed battles, this movie fits the bill nicely. Fans of Sonic the Hedgehog won't be disappointed. The movie captures the spirit of the games arguably better than any other animated iteration of the hedgehog before it. The plot moves fast, the battles are intense, and you'll just be begging for it to continue by the time it wraps up.

One thing you'll also be begging for, however, is the voices to stop. The voices ADV chose for the title characters are downright annoying. Sonic sounds like a nerd trying to sound like a superhero, and Tails...hoo boy, talk about nasally. Thankfully, the other voices fit the characters quite well. Knuckles sounds nerdy, too, but for some reason, it kind of works. Robotnik is superb, with a voice that fits his evil yet crazy personality. The only other character's voice that may grate on nerves is that of the President's daughter Sara, but she's annoying, anyway, so it fits.

Special features...well, I'm not going to sugarcoat it; there are none. Well, unless you count trailers for other ADV properties as special features. You can also watch the movie in it's original Japanese format. It's a very good movie by itself, however, though you may be shelling out a pretty penny for a copy, due to how rare they are to find nowadays. Still, if you're a fan of Sonic the Hedgehog, this movie is a must-have for your collection.