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a14 people & arts
Friday 8 april 2022
‘Sonic 2’ is a rushed, over-the-top sequel

By LINDSEY BAHR draft at making a PG-rated
AP Film Writer “Deadpool.” And in the last
The fact that “ Sonic the third, the filmmakers decide
Hedgehog 2 “ exists is not to just do a full homage to
exactly a mystery. the opening of “Raiders of
The first film was a financial the Lost Ark.”
success for Paramount Pic- Sonic is also now being po-
tures and by the year’s end sitioned as a fledgling su-
would hold the distinction perhero who still has a lot to
of being the No. 2 release learn. Sure, what else can
in North America. That sec- you really do to stretch this
ond fact should be taken character into a big movie
with a grain of salt though. franchise that people care
It’s mostly dumb luck: The about? But it also takes the
studio released it in Febru- air and excitement out of
ary 2020, a month before This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz, in “Sonic the the journey by making it
theaters closed and studios Hedgehog 2.” something that we’ve seen
began jettisoning their films Associated Press many, many times before.
to streamers or later release balt blue, computer-gener- character marooned on pleased with the shift in Is there nothing else you
dates. ated alien. a “piece of shitake” mush- balance, but their paren- can do with a superspeed
Still, sequels have been It should have been a room planet, it soon be- tal companions will likely alien hedgehog?
greenlit on less and “Sonic” promising development comes evident that this be running for the door (or Then there’s Carrey,
didn’t just have dollars go- that the entire original team outing is a soulless attempt earplugs). whose larger-than-life per-
ing for it. On the forgiving assembled to get “Sonic 2” to up the stakes and cash The humor also feels like it formance isn’t even big
curve of video game prop- to theaters, including di- in. was generated by a game enough to compete with
erties being turned into po- rector Jeff Fowler, writers It is a slapdash extrava- of pop culture mad libs, the CG action soup. It’s a
tential franchises for studios Pat Casey and Josh Miller, ganza that doubles down with snarks about every- shame to squander a ros-
desperate for a sure thing, it and the cast — Marsden, on its CGI stars, adding a thing from Vin Diesel and ter of talented comedic
also wasn’t half bad. There Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Jim bad guy Echidna, Knuckles The Rock to Limp Bizkit. actors who seem game to
were enough genuinely Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, (Idris Elba), and a friend/ For instance, “Oh great, do anything opposite their
funny moments to make Tika Sumpter as Tom’s wife Sonic superfan, Tails (Col- the Winter Soldier,” Son- alien counterparts. Hope-
it enjoyable and much of Maddie and supporting leen O’Shaughnessey), for ic deadpans as Knuck- fully there’s time for a little
that had to do with James standouts Natasha Roth- a globetrotting journey to les chases after him on a reflection before the next
Marsden’s performance as well and Adam Pally. find an all-powerful emer- snowy mountain in Sibe- one is fast-tracked to a VFX
Sonic’s human companion And yet “Sonic 2” feels ex- ald, and relegates its hu- ria. This referential strategy house to do the brunt of the
Tom. Marsden is unbeliev- tremely rushed. Though man counterparts to the can and has worked when work. What this franchise
ably natural and charming it starts off promisingly background to its own done thoughtfully. Here it needs most at this point is
while acting against a co- enough with Carrey’s detriment. Kids may be just comes across as a first to slow down.q

After ‘Ozark’ role, Tom Pelphrey is on

Hollywood’s radar

the show has operated ferent ways and each time together, and they all still
since as though the char- they would just let me go.” keep in touch.
acter is dead (although Pelphrey was already on Work keeps Pelphrey on
fans hope it’s not true.) Ben an upward career trajec- the move. He likes to drive
looms large over the re- tory going into “Ozark,” but to his filming locations with
maining “Ozark” story. he admits it “was a game his trusty dog, Blue. He just
A pivotal scene for Pel- changer job.” Later that filmed a limited series with
phrey and for viewers, was year, he also appeared Elizabeth Olsen and Jes-

Actor Tom Pelphrey poses at his home in Austin, Texas, on of Ben riding in a taxi. He in David Fincher’s “Mank” se Plemons called “Love
March 11, 2022, to promote his new Amazon Prime series “Outer talks at the driver for more and next co-stars with Josh and Death” for HBO Max.
Range,” premiering April 15. than four minutes, in a very Brolin in the supernatu- He also has a role in “She
Associated Press non-linear pattern, quickly ral mystery series “ Outer Said” based on the book
By ALICIA RANCILIO longer on the show, but shifting topics while some- Range “ for Amazon Prime, by New York Times journal-
Associated Press his character has made a times in tears, highlighting also debuting this month. ists Jodi Kantor and Megan
NEW YORK (AP) — “Ozark” lasting imprint. Pelphrey’s his mental illness. Filming began on “Outer Twohey, about their investi-
will drop its final seven epi- character was introduced “As an actor, there’s noth- Range” in January 2021 gation into Hollywood mo-
sodes of the series April 29, in season three as Wendy’s ing you want more or in New Mexico, when the gul Harvey Weinstein and
wrapping up the story of a brother. A tortured soul with there’s nothing more than pandemic and restrictions sexual misconduct.
couple, played by Jason a heart of gold, Ben had bi- having good material,” kept many people indoors. Pelphrey, originally from
Bateman and Laura Linney polar disorder and stopped said Pelphrey recently over Safety protocols on set New Jersey, says he isn’t
(Marty and Wendy Byrde), taking his medication. His Zoom. “I’d had weeks to were strict, and Pelphrey sure what comes next. “I’ve
whose family moves to Mis- resulting erratic behavior prepare, so I memorized it describes it as “a strange thankfully had a very good
souri and descends deeper threatened the Byrde’s un- back and forth and up and sense of being completely run recently.
and deeper into a life of derbelly operation. down, and I knew it as good isolated, juxtaposed with But it also means. I haven’t
money laundering, drugs Spoiler alert: In the season as I knew my name. We did the most amazing cast.” really been home in a long
and murder. three finale, Wendy left Ben that speech so many dif- He says the filming bubble time. I am completely at
Tom Pelphrey (Ben) is no in the path of a hitman and ferent times in so many dif- brought the cast closer peace and grateful.”q