GOAT (2026)

In an anthropomorphic world of animals, a goat wants to be the 'greatest of all time' at basketball. And that's the end of any originality this film has to offer. Stylistically, the animation is bright, colorful and very appealing to the eyes, but the subject matter is trite and uninspired. Another dull and forgettable sports underdog comedy. Easily impressionable kids will dig it, I suppose.

½ a cloaca out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Who would have thought that Sonic would become a Jim Carrey vehicle? This time, we've got two Eggmen and two hedgehogs, so double the destruction. As usual, stuff is happening at supersonic speed, there are characters from games I haven't played (Shadow is this volume's latest addition, voiced by Keanu) and a backstory going back 50 years that feels secondary to the plot. But every time Jim graces the screen, I've got a stupid smile plastered on my face. As far as quality is concerned, I would say this franchise has remained consistently entertaining, although clearly skewed for younger audiences.

It's more of the same, so if you enjoyed the others, you'll enjoy this one.

3 diamonds in the sky out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

I really have to appreciate that in 2022, a 60-year-old Jim Carrey is still doing the same larger-than-life comedy that I used to love back in the '90s. It's great just to watch him let loose and have fun with the character. There's a lot of collateral nostalgia from this movie, particularly if you grew up in that era. As far as video game adaptations go, this does feel true to its roots. It has the same hyper energy as the games and it's fun in that brain dead way where you don't have to think too much to enjoy it. As far as "plot" is concerned, Sonic is joined by Tails and finds a new foe in Knuckles. The most baffling decision is centering a whole B-plot around the human characters at a wedding in Hawaii that doesn't have much to do with anything.

3 green emeralds out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Sonic makes his way from his world into ours, where he quickly makes a friend and a mortal enemy. Just like a video game, the plot is secondary to the action and the spectacle. Sonic's design looks great and the human characters around him bring him to life. Of particular note is Jim Carrey basically playing himself as Dr. Robotnik, which is both my biggest criticism of the movie and also its saving grace. It's that dumb kind of infectious fun where it doesn't do anything special, but you don't regret having sat through it. It's all very silly and over the top, but it's a bright and shiny diversion from the doldrums of life.

3 golden rings out of 5