Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Races To Franchise Potential (WARNING: SPOILERS)

Growing up, I was more of a Sonic the Hedgehog guy than Super Mario.  Mainly because in my house we had a SEGA Genesis instead of a Super Nintendo.  Plus, a fast-moving hedgehog was cooler than a mustached plumber.  I remember playing many levels as Sonic racing through check points and bouncing off Dr Robotnik's machines.  The first Sonic the Hedgehog film was a real surprise treat that I didn't expect.  When I saw they were going to bring a CGI Sonic into the real world I thought it was going to be another lame strategy of trying to put a fantasy character, from a fantasy world, into the real world to save some money. Examples include Smurfs, Spongebob Squarepants, Garfield.  But that film I think worked.  Sonic was fun to watch, my man Cyclops (James Marsden) teamed up for a buddy story, and Jim Carrey played the eccentric villain.

Before the second film was released SEGA announced that a third Sonic film was on the way, along with a Knuckles spin-off, and more. Sure, the first film had broken out of the mold of movies based on video games aren't great, but was SEGA counting their golden rings too soon?  In this sequel, Sonic teams up with Tails to find the Emerald Gem before Robotnik and his new ally, Knuckles.  As the film continues Knuckles turns against Robotnik and the end of the film sees Sonic with his new entourage.  This part of the film was great!  The trio of these characters works.  Once Knuckles flipped in the film, he had a real Drax the Destroyer vibe.   And the last scene with all of them playing baseball and interacting made me look forward to their chemistry as a team in future films.

We also saw more things in the Sonic lore this time around. Super Sonic (or Captain Marvel Sonic as I call him) appeared to destroy Robotnik's robot (much like how Carol Danvers destroyed Thanos's ship) and we get a tease for the character Shadow.  These two things I am less familiar with as the last Sonic the Hedgehog game I actually played was Sonic & Knuckles or maybe Sonic Pinball on Genesis.   Although I have played some Sonic Racing with my daughter on Playstation.  However, I know the Sonic mythology has just scratched the surface with many characters left to be added.   I just hope a few of them are included from the Saturday morning ABC cartoon with that bitchin theme song!

Now, I will say, the thing I hate about some sequels is they take something that was funny in the first film and ramp it up for the second film and end up ruining the joke. Tom's sister-in-law had a small, but funny part in the first film. Now in this second installment she has a fiancée who turns out to be a government spy just waiting for Sonic to turn up.  This adds a subplot that really wasn't necessary.  All it did was add twenty minutes to a film that kids with short attention spans will be watching.  Sonic and Tails were captured and freed almost immediately.  No point at all.

Jim Carrey had a few moments also in this film where I thought his delivery was a little too much, but it's Jim Carrey in a Sonic the Hedgehog film so what else should I expect.  But for me, this film comes down to Sonic.  He's a character I've enjoyed for decades in video games, cartoons, and now films.  He's a fast moving, fun-loving, character that is a pleasure to see with his quips and Parks and Recreation references.   

I will say I didn't like this film as much as the first Sonic the Hedgehog film.  I think it's because the first film was simpler, more of a buddy film, and this one tried to be that with Sonic and Tails, but just had too much in it to be simple.  I was worried when Sonic and Tails entered the lodge that we were going to get another bar scene like the first film, but instead we got a dance off to keep it fresh.  Nicely done Mr. Fowler and team!  I do have a question about the Emerald Gem.  It was made up of all the tiny gems, and when Super Sonic destroyed it all the smaller gems vanished into the sky.  But then Knuckles puts the Emerald Gem back together and they still plan on protecting it? Did I miss the part where it's nothing now?

This film isn't going to win any Oscars, but I appreciate a franchise my daughter and I can enjoy together, and I'm always down to support Cyclops in a film!  It looks like this is just the beginning for Sonic and his team, and I hope they stay on this track.  I'll just be munching on my chili dogs and enjoying the run. 

A Better Green Lantern Than Tyrese

A few days ago, actor Tyrese Gibson took to his Instagram page to campaign for him to be the next Green Lantern.  Gibson photoshopped himself in a few GL pictures with hopes that Warner Bros would take notice.  Yesterday, Tyrese posted another picture of himself arriving at Warner Bros studios.  This has some fanboys buzzing that Tyrese may have actually met with WB and DC executives, however everything is just speculation at this point.  If cast, Tyrese would more than likely play John Stewart and not Hal Jordan, the character Ryan Reynolds played in the 2011 film.  Tyrese has had success as an actor in the Fast and Furious and Transformer franchises, but I feel he is in no way the right man to play John Stewart.

For those unfamiliar the character, Stewart was the third human in DC Comics lore to be chosen as a Green Lantern.  He is a former marine, and current architect when he is not out saving sector 2814.  He was also the Green Lantern featured in the Justice League animated series, a show that first introduced a young generation to not only Green Lantern, but also a strong African American superhero.  The role will require an actor to have a size and presence to himself.  Stewart's not a smart ass like Hal.  He steps into a room and gets the job done with as few of words as possible.  While I've been proven wrong several times about superhero casting choices(like Chris Evans as Captain America) I'm strongly against Tyrese taking this iconic role.  So I've come up with five alternative actors I feel would better suited to play John Stewart, should Warner Bros decide to bring this character to the big screen.

5) Idris Elba

A fanboy favorite for the role, Elba has starred in such films as Pacific Rim, Prometheus, and Thor.  He also has his own series, Luthor, which I have yet to watch, but hear good things about.  Elba has that presence I was mentioning.  He's the tough guy who looks like he can hold his own when sh%t hits the fan. 

4) Omari Hardwick

Hardwick is no stranger to the action genre with roles in films like Kick-Ass and The A-Team.  Like Elba, he's got the build to pull off the character and the experience to make him heroic.  

3)  David Ramsey

Ramsey can currently be seen kicking ass in the The CW series Arrow.  However he's also had small parts in films like Draft Day and Con Air.  Ramsey's portrayal as John Diggle on Arrow is not too far off from what John Stewart is all about; a tough guy who doesn't hesitate to do the right thing.  Ramsey's got the stature and strength to pull off the power of Will.

2) Rob Brown

I first saw Mr. Brown playing off of Sean Connery in Finding Forrester.  Since then he's starred in films like Coach Carter and Don Jon.  Brown is such a likable character on screen I think that quality would carry over great to the DC Cinematic Universe.

1) Derek Luke

Most recently seen in Captain America: The First Avenger and the FX series The Americans, Luke first shined opposite Denzel Washington in Antwone Fisher and has been giving us great performances ever since.  I believe he can pull off the presence, size, and morality it will take to play John Stewart.

Casting Call: Aquaman

Last week I read an article online where actor Leonardo DiCaprio gave $10 million for ocean conservation.  In that same week the Internet was buzzing how Jason Momoa was officially cast as Aquaman in the DC cinematic universe; although still not confirmed by Momoa, Warner Bros, or director Zach Snyder.  I think Momoa has the attitude to play the King of the Seven Seas, but he doesn't quite have the look, and the possible depth.  But you know who does; Leonardo DiCaprio.

Unfortunately any Aquaman movie will be compared to the parody film starring Vincent Chase from HBO's Entourage.  But I think if Leo brought the commitment and performance he has when working with Martin Scorsese I think he could rock this franchise. Especially with a great supporting cast.  

Leonardo DiCaprio as Arthur Curry/Orin/Aquaman

DiCaprio has been proving himself as a great actor as far back as What's Eating Gilbert Grape.  He also has given some great performances in films like The Aviator, The Departed, and the Wolf of Wall Street.  He has the look and the scowl that goes with the character.  I feel like DiCaprio could really make this film great and help make the public think of Aquaman as the bad ass ocean hero he is instead of the butt of every DC punchline.

Karen Gillan as Mera

If you're going to have Leonardo DiCaprio play Aquaman then you have to have a strong female lead to play opposite him.  Mera becomes the queen of Atlantis and possesses aquakinesis that helps her control water and bend it to her will.  She also is just as tough as Aquaman, and was originally sent to kill him, before she fell in love with him.   

This was probably the hardest part to cast.  I considered former co-stars of Leo's like Vera Farmiga and Kate Winslet, but I wanted an actress who is tall-ish so she'd command a presence. But she also has to have the good range of emotion Mera would have to bring; from kick-ass to compassionate.  And I wanted a redhead.  Gillian is most famous for her role as Amy Pond in Doctor Who. This summer we'll see her play the deadly Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy.  This role proves to me that Gillan has the physicality and commitment to play Mera.  Especially after she shaved her head just to be in GotG.

Idris Elba as David/Black Manta

As Aquaman's most famous villain you need an actor with a high level of skill.  Elba has been phenomenal in films like Thor, Pacific Rim, and the television show Luthor.  He has a distinct quality I think would really bring this character to life.

Black Manta and Aquaman have been bitter rivals ever since Black Manta killed Aquaman's father, though Manta also blames Aquaman for his own father's death.  That kind of hatred can run deep, and come across great with the right pair; such as DiCaprio and Elba.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Orm/Ocean Master

No rivalry is more heated than that of two brothers fighting over the throne of a kingdom.  Orm is the younger brother of Aquaman who rules when the king passes, that is until Arthur returns to Atlantis and Orm steps down to let Arthur rule.  However, when Orm sees that his brother shows too much compassion for the surface world he conspires against him.

Meyers has had some great roles in television shows like The Tudors and Dracula.  He has also had quite the film career in movies like Mission Impossible: III and Match Point.  He walks the line of good guy/criminally insane.  I think Meyers would play well off of Dicaprio.  I say it would even rival the Hemsworth/Hiddleston chemistry.

Corbin Bleu as Jackson Hyde/Kaldur'ahm/Aqualad

This character was originally created for the short-lived television series Young Justice, but was so unique Geoff Johns brought him to DC Comics in Brightest Day.  Jackson has spend his whole life on the surface world never knowing his true origins. Black Manta comes looking for him one day revealing he is from the underwater world Xebel, he can manipulate water like Mera, and that Manta is his real father!  Kaldur has even more of a methodical origin, but this is just to tip of the iceberg.  While I respect and like the first Aqualad, Garth, I think Kaldur would be a little more interesting for the big screen.

When I did my Young Justice casting call I said Bleau should play Aqualad and I'm sticking by it.  Most famous for his role in Disney's High School Musical franchise, Bleu has went on to do many guest spots and even had a recurring role on One Life To Live.  This would be the role Bleu has been waiting for.  It's something he can really sink his teeth into and show the range I believe he has.