SONIC 3 & MUFASA: THE LION KING

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

Directed by Jeff Fowler

Sometimes bullying works. The first trailer for the original Sonic movie was released in 2019, giving the world its first look at our blue hero; The anger, horror and disgust was universal. Sonic looked a mess...creepy with human teeth and more "humanoid" body. Backlash was so intense the studio delayed the movie and gave us the redesigned lovable hedgehog we know today. The Internet's collective nightmare was over. 

The decision has paid off handsomely, somehow in 5 years we have a complete Sonic trilogy and honestly I can watch a new one every few years under the main condition that Jim Carrey returns. His performance as Doctor Robotnik continues to deliver and give us what we want and need. A true comedy legend clearly enjoying the role as he has been in semi-retirement for years. 

All the other elements that made the first two movies so fun are back. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles along with James Marsden (The Most Handsome Man) and the rest of the human cast. We also get a new character, the dark and brooding Shadow the Hedgehog voiced by KEANU REEVES, delivering his lines with the utmost seriousness. I was so sure he was going to say "Whoa" at one point, a real missed opportunity!

There's some story about Shadow teaming up with Robotnik and his long lost grandfather (also played by Carrey in old man makeup making a meal of his scenes) as they try to take over the world(?) This whole series plays like a Saturday morning cartoon, moving along swiftly and keeping things fun with director Jeff Fowler holding a steady hand. There's also a Chemical Brothers needle drop that gagged me to my core. Keep Jim Carrey happy and bring on Sonic 4! 

⭐⭐⭐ Out of 4

MUFASA: THE LION KING

Directed by Barry Jenkins 

This is a sequel/prequel to 2019's stinky CGI "photorealistic" remake of The Lion King. That movie grossed over a billion dollars but people know better now. The same problems persist, the visuals render the animals almost entirely expressionless (it's...just a lion, and they all look the same!) Sometimes the landscapes are gorgeous and sometimes it looks like a windows screensaver. There are forgettable but harmless songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda (I think The Mouse keeps him locked in a dungeon) and at least it's a more original story and not a boring remake. 

The most fascinating aspect is Barry Jenkins, the Academy Award winning writer/director of "Moonlight". You can feel bursts of his voice throughout the Corporate Mandated Slop, lots of breathtaking shots and a better use of the technology than the last movie. It gets better as it goes along but this is still a boring se/prequel starring weird CGI National Geographic animals. For completists and movie nerds (😏) only. Don't you wanna know how Rafiki got his walking stick?? Rawr!

🦁🦁 Out of 4