Heartwarming / Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

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"I'm really glad you're here, Tails."
"I'm glad I'm here too, Sonic."

As part of a franchise centering around teamwork and friendship, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 continues its predecessor's heartfelt and tender tale about just that beneath its larger scale.

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Trailers

• Guess you can say that for once, Sonic is living his best life on Earth after having to spend years isolating himself.
  • In the first film, Sonic meant what he said about being Tired of Running in fear of people after his power. He truly wants to use his powers to help people and stop evil whenever he can.
  • Sonic is now living happily with his adoptive family, who support him in his path to become a hero. It's also sweet how much Tom has become a father figure to Sonic, giving the latter the advice that, despite his good intentions of helping people, he's still young and has much to learn, and he must wait for the moment where the world needs him most.
    • It seems that in the middle of the final battle (in the final trailer), Tom will tell Sonic, who's battered and bruised and most likely going through a Heroic BSoD, that no matter what, they will stay together through thick and thin.
      Tom: We stick together, no matter what.
    • Maddie also shows herself to be a good mother to Sonic as she rushes to help save Sonic when he is trying to get away with the Emerald.
    • The trailer also reveals that Tom is carrying one of Sonic's rings, and doesn't hesitate to use it when Sonic calls him for help.
• Despite not having the best boss, guess who celebrates when he learns that Robotnik has returned to Earth…
  Agent Stone: HE'S BAAAACK!
  • It's also sweet that Robotnik truly sees Agent Stone as a friend as he unveils his plans to him. It’s possible that being on his own made him realize how important Stone truly was to him. This Valentine's Day clip shows that Robotnik, despite his claims to the contrary, did genuinely miss Agent Stone while stuck on the Mushroom Planet.
• Despite the fact that Sonic has only just met Tails, he befriends him rather quickly.
  • You can see the admiration on Tails' face when he looks at Sonic.
  • In the final trailer, we see an avalanche barreling down after Sonic, who's carrying an unconscious Tails and calls Tom for help. He's not only trying to save himself, but trying to save his new buddy, and maybe he's taking Tails to Maddie, since she's a vet, and she helped him before when he was unconscious. Isn't it cute how Sonic clings to Tails as they go through the ring?
  • At the end of the music video for Speed Life, we see Sonic and Tails doing their own handshake.
  • In this snippet from an interview with the characters by CKN, Sonic openly calls Tails "a double-threat: fluffy and adorable" and when Tails mentions that's he's nervous about being on camera, Sonic reassures him that he's doing great.

General

• The entire friendship between Sonic and Tails. No matter the medium, these two are destined to find each other and become the best of friends.
  • Tails had heard about Sonic's incredible speed and worshiped him as a hero back on his home planet. When he heard Knuckles was after Sonic on his quest for revenge, Tails immediately left to warn Sonic, despite his fears and (in his own words) being a Non-Action Guy.
    • In fact, when Sonic is about to head to Siberia to search for the compass to the Master Emerald, he insists that Tails come with him and promises to have his back, even with Tails' hesitancy and mentioning that he's "not a field guy". He clearly saw something in the young fox despite only knowing him for a few hours, and he also wanted to repay him for saving his life earlier.
  • The dance battle in the Siberian tavern serves as a moving moment Sonic and Tails bonding. Sonic is quick to ask Tails if he's okay when the latter starts hyperventilating and when Sonic switches the music to "Uptown Funk" he takes Tails' hand and reassures him he'll be fine. Cue them busting out their best moves and winning the dance battle.
    • Afterwards, as the two of them are winding down, Sonic refers to Tails as his pal. When Tails asks him if he really means it, Sonic earnestly confirms it. Tails then warmly hugs him. As he explains, Sonic has been the only one to truly accept him for who he is, two tails and all. He then tells Sonic that seeing him become a hero for what makes him weird made him think that maybe being weird isn’t so bad after all. This can be particularly touching for any viewers who have ever felt different from the rest of the world.
    • Right after that, the two buddies have an absolutely adorable Sleep Cute moment, pictured above. Sonic drapes a blanket over the fox when he falls asleep in front of the fireplace before lying down next to him. Tails in turn drapes his bushy tails over Sonic.
  • In the Siberian cave, when laser pointers are trained on Tails and Sonic realizes the danger they're in, what is the first thing he does? Sonic puts himself between Tails and danger.
  • When Tails gets knocked unconscious, Sonic immediately forgets about the compass, running to make sure he's okay (which also causes Knuckles to pause and question whether Sonic is actually bad or not). Also, when Tom teleports them to the wedding with the ring, notice how Sonic clings to the unconscious fox as they pass through the ring with an avalanche behind them.
  • When GUN captures Sonic, Tails, and Tom, Sonic seems to be more worried about Tails (who is still unconscious) than anything else. He's desperate, clawing through the snow to retrieve the kit's unconscious body. He even begs agents to call a doctor or vet, his voice cracking. It sells that he really is just a kid, a child that just wants to make sure his loved ones are safe.
  • When Sonic goes off alone to face Knuckles and Eggman, though he doesn't say so, he trusts Tom and Maddie to take care of Tails.
  • Tails wakes up immediately after Sonic leaves, attempting to follow him and being deterred by his injuries; when Tom and Maddie urge him to rest and recuperate, he expresses concern about the hedgehog going solo in the face of terrifying odds. The fox is determined to help Sonic, and with all the kind things his idol has done for him in their short time knowing each other, it's hard to blame him.
    Tom: Hey, take it easy, little guy. You're hurt.
    Tails: But we have to help him! You don't know what he's up against!
  • In general, just how quickly the two of them bond and become best friends. They even avert the Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure by never fighting each other and always staying together throughout their adventures.
• Although it takes the two some time to get there, Sonic and Knuckles develop a friendship by the end of the movie that looks to be as strong as Sonic and Tails'. After a heart-to-heart talk with each other, Sonic encourages Knuckles by saying that can he have a better life than before and that he shouldn't let failure stop him from reaching that.
  Knuckles: On the mountain, you told me you lost everything, the way I did. But you seem so hopeful and free. How did you move forward despite failing again, and again, and again, and again-
  Sonic: Okay, I didn't fail that much. But I didn't do this all alone. I found a new family, new friends. And you can too. (extends his hand) You don't have to be alone anymore.
  • The first moment that shows they could potentially be friends is when Sonic reveals that Longclaw died in the battle between their tribes, and appeals to Knuckles' sense of empathy. Both of them lost their families overnight. Sonic was right, they're not so different from each other.
  • When the temple holding the Master Emerald floods, Knuckles looks ready to accept his fate, lying down peacefully under heavy debris and not even struggling. Sonic refuses to accept this, and despite his inability to swim, he goes back to save Knuckles. Although Sonic himself nearly drowns in the process, Knuckles repays the favor by coming back to help Sonic once he realizes the hedgehog is in trouble.
  • Knuckles even questions why Sonic would bother to help someone who has spent the last few days trying to kill him. He is unable to wrap his head around this, claiming that Sonic only saved him because the act lent him a confusing tactical advantage. Sonic responds that he wasn't even thinking in terms of battle tactics: he just couldn't leave Knuckles to die. Sonic shows what being a hero truly means when he tells Knuckles what Tom told him earlier on their boating trip.
    Sonic: Why did you save me?
    Knuckles: Because you saved me first. Which clearly gave you a tactical advantage I do not understand.
    Sonic: It wasn't a tactic. I couldn't just let you die.
    Knuckles: Why? I've been trying to destroy you since the moment we met.
    Sonic: Because being a hero isn't about taking care of yourself. It's about taking responsibility for other people.
    Knuckles: Hm. Wise words. An ancient Earth proverb?
    Sonic: No, sir. That's a Wachowski family special. I got it from a guy in a rowboat. Someone who means a lot to me.
  • By the end of the movie, Sonic and Knuckles are on considerably better terms. Knuckles is fully comfortable with playing baseball and goofing off with Sonic and his family. They even casually bicker about who wins the most between them.
• Tails and Knuckles' relationship is not given as much focus, but they've also grown to trust each other by the end of the movie. Tails looks delighted when Knuckles picks him up and hoists him on his shoulder, like a Cool Big Bro picking up his little bro.
  Knuckles: Come on, fox! Our dessert adventure awaits!
• While Robotnik still treats Agent Stone as an underling and acts as though no time has really passed, Robotnik is a lot less abusive towards him. It seems that his long isolation on the Mushroom Planet has taught him that some human companionship wouldn't be all that bad. The way he says "Papa's got a brand new 'stache!" upon reuniting with Stone makes it look like he's bantering with a lifelong friend.
  • In turn, Stone is still loyal to Robotnik, sitting on a secret base (disguised as a coffee shop) as he makes latte-art depicting him before he returns to Earth. Even though their relationship isn't the healthiest, Stone truly valued being around him. After Robotnik returns and announces his descent into super-villainy, he doesn't hesitate in helping him. He's even seen picking out a new villain outfit for his debut for World Domination.
  • Note that when Agent Stone questions Robotnik about working with Knuckles, considering his simplemindedness, Robotnik doesn't abuse him for questioning him. He calmly gives his reasons as well as sharing Stone's disdain for the echidna.
  • After Robotnik gains the Master Emerald's powers and begins building his giant robot, Stone pleads with Robotnik to take him as well. You'd think at this point, after effectively becoming a Physical God, willingly ditching Stone earlier to go to Siberia with Knuckles, and abandoning Knuckles as well once he got the Master Emerald, Eggman would just completely ditch any companions he had. However, Robotnik obliges without any hesitation, brings him along, and even trusts Stone to take control of the robot's weapons as well.
  • With Robotnik at the center and Stone at the controls, they have this exchange.
    Stone: Doctor, you're magnificent!
    Robotnik: Thank you, sycophant! Your admiration is inevitable.
  • The mere fact that Robotnik sounds genuinely impressed after Stone manages to use one of the robot's secret weapons to destroy the Tornado in one hit after Robotnik himself spent several minutes fruitlessly trying to shoot the plane down. Stone beaming with pride at the compliment is really sweet as well.
• Despite having been presented as a gruff, serious, and no-nonsense individual at first, Knuckles is shown to have a heart that's as big as his muscles underneath his serious, honor-bound demeanor, such as showing visible disgust at Robotnik ditching his minion, almost letting go of his vendetta against Sonic when he learns that he shares a mutual personal tragedy with him, saving Sonic shortly after the hedgehog saved him, shielding Tom and Maddie from what he believes to be Super Sonic going mad with power after he sees how much they mean to Sonic, even though Knuckles only just met them, and eventually becoming something of a Cool Big Bro to Tails.

Film

• Early in the film when Sonic returns to Green Hills in the morning after a night of trying to be a hero, he runs past Wade, wishing him a good morning, who does the same to Sonic with a smile. Sonic then runs to the top of a hill and loudly screams "Good morning Green Hills!" at the top of his voice. It shows how Sonic no longer needs to hide in Green Hills and is now accepted as a part of the community by everyone, allowing him to live his life and not be alone anymore like he was forced to in the previous film.
• Sonic immediately starts partying once Tom and Maddie are out of the house, and what's really adorable is he includes Ozzy the Dog in all of his activities. Sonic views Ozzy as a member of the family, not just as a pet. And for his part, Ozzy seems to enjoy himself too.
  • Sonic also uses his rings to grab more snacks at the store when he and Ozzy run out. Since he can't be seen though, he just leaves some cash on the shelf before closing the portal.
• Despite his intentions for marrying Rachel being a lie, Randall admits to her that he genuinely did fall in love with her, even going as far as to take a taser shot from Commander Walters for her.
  Randall: Rachel. Look at me. Before I met you, I didn't think that I was even capable of real happiness, but that all changed when you walked into my life. And I ended up breaking the first rule of undercover work.
  Rachel: Which is?
  Randall: Never fall in love.
  [The two kiss, finally confirming their relationship.]
• After Robotnik cuts the power to the house, Sonic accidentally scares Ozzie (or so it seems). When the dog runs off, Sonic drops the bit and starts apologizing.
• Longclaw appears as a hologram to entrust the Master Emerald to Sonic. Just before she disappears, she informs Sonic she loves him one last time, while Sonic's eyes well up with tears.
• A young Knuckles appears in a flashback, eager to protect his tribe and fight alongside them. Sure, Knuckles' father forbids him from participating, but his youthful enthusiasm is adorable.
• Doubling as Awesome; Rachel and Maddie's sisterly relationship. It's not the smoothest, but they love and support each other. When Maddie is caught sneaking into the building where Sonic, Tails, and Tom are being held, Rachel doubles back to knock out all of the guards surrounding her sister, with a weapon she didn't even know how to use!
  • Speaking of Rachel, the fact that she's much less abrasive towards Tom in this movie than she was in the previous one, and even offers to reconcile with him (even though she also takes the opportunity to threaten him should he ruin her wedding). Later on, she also teams up with Maddie to help her rescue Tom, Sonic, and Tails.
• After Sonic and Tails win their dance-off, the patrons of the Siberian bar, who called them freaks and monsters less than three minutes ago, lift Sonic and Tails into the air and cheer them.
• A blink and you'll miss it moment. When Sonic and Tails come through the portal to Hawaii with the avalanche right behind them, both Tom and Randall immediately pull Maddie and Rachel to the side to protect them from the incoming snow.
• As the GUN Agents are taking Sonic and Tails away in cages, Tom rushes to save Sonic. He doesn't mind taking on federal agents to save his son.
• Despite having only just met Tails, Tom and Maddie immediately come to his aid when he wakes up and tries to follow Sonic despite being injured.
  • When Tom and Sonic are talking, you can see Maddie crouched in the background with Tails, stroking his hand.
• Sonic counting to three and saving a pinned Knuckles underwater. When Knuckles seemingly abandons Sonic, he eventually returns the favor.
• Sonic and Tails working seamlessly together with Knuckles to fight off the robots and coming up with a plan to stop Robotnik and finally having some small friendly banter before they execute the plan is both awesome and heartwarming.
  Knuckles: Hedgehog, you are a brave and noble warrior! Go to your certain death with honour!
  Sonic: (amused) We're gonna have to work on your pep talks, pal!
  (Knuckles smirks in response)
  Tails: (laughs) Yeah!
  • Notice how Knuckles is hammier and more boisterous than he was before his Heel–Face Turn? It's because Sonic and Tails treating him like a genuine ally and friend has caused him to be more open.
• The heroes have failed to defeat Robotnik, and the Master Emerald has shattered into pieces. At his darkest hour, Tom and Maddie refuse to leave Sonic to die alone, even though he's begging them to leave. If Robotnik's going to kill Sonic, he's taking them with him.
  • Earlier, Maddie directly refers to him as "our kid" as they go to save him.
• After Super Sonic defeats Robotnik, Knuckles stands in front of Tom and Maddie. Despite having only just met them, he's getting ready to protect them. He may be literal-minded about all Earth customs, but he's still an honorable hero in his own right and wants to protect innocent lives from danger.
  • Even more heartwarming, Knuckles must have seen how much Tom and Maddie mean to Sonic and vice versa before they were seemingly crushed before Super Sonic rescues them. Hence why Knuckles solemnly tells them that Sonic is no longer whom they once knew (or so he thinks) as he shields them. Knuckles' empathy here speaks volumes.
    Knuckles: Wait! You cannot touch him! The hedgehog holds the power of the Emerald! I am sorry. He is no longer the Sonic you once knew.
• There's something silly yet oh-so-heartwarming about Super Sonic conjuring up the perfect deluxe chili dog for his victory against Robotnik. He sniffs it as if smelling a fine wine, takes a bite, and comments on its taste by offering one to his family. What makes it so heartwarming is that this is the only thing Sonic does for himself after using his power to defeat Robotnik (as opposed to going on a Drunk with Power rampage of subjugation); he never loses himself, his conscience, humor, or consideration for his friends and family to the power of the Chaos Emeralds. He even light-heartedly makes a fool out of Knuckles after accidentally dropping the aforementioned chili dog on his face.
  • After Sonic relinquishes the Chaos Emeralds and reverts to normal, Tom and Maddie immediately embrace their adopted son. And what's more, they invite Tails into the Group Hug as well.
  • When asked why he would give up the ultimate power, Sonic's response?
    Sonic: Because... I still have some growing up to do. And I kinda like being a kid.
    Tom: And you're not just any kid. You're our kid.
• With Robotnik defeated and the Master Emerald restored, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles agree to form a new order of heroes to protect it, Sonic and Knuckles in particular putting aside the past animosity between the echidnas and the owls (Sonic being the last "heir" of the owls due to his association with Longclaw).
  Knuckles: I've spent my whole life questing for this. Now I have it. Now we have it. What do we do with it? What next?
  Tails: There were once two orders of heroes who protected the galaxy from those who would use the emerald for evil.
  Knuckles: But they've all passed on to the great battleground in the sky.
  Sonic: So we start a new order. The three of us.
  Knuckles: This is no light task. We must make a vow to use our powers to keep the universe safe. To watch out for each other. Our new tribe.
  Tails: Oh, I know! A power bump! (holds up his fist)
  Sonic: Good idea! (puts his fist against Tails' fist)
  [Knuckles looks confused.]
  Tails: It's an Earth custom. An unbreakable promise.
  Knuckles: Very well. A power bump it is.
  [Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles put their fists against each other in the center.]
  Sonic: Power Bump!
  • What makes the "power bump" even more heartwarming, is that at the beginning, Maddie introduces the power bump to Sonic before she and Tom leave for Hawaii, then before Sonic and Tails go out to search for the Master Emerald, Sonic introduces the power bump to Tails, and finally after Robotnik is defeated and the Master Emerald is restored, Tails proposes a power bump as a vow to form a new order to protect the universe, and watch out for each other, in the process teaching Knuckles the power bump just as Sonic taught him and just as Maddie taught Sonic. Maddie and Tom watching them like the proud parents they are and performing the gesture themselves seals the heartwarming factor of this scene.
  • It also shows how, despite being unaccustomed to Earth's customs, Knuckles is willing to learn them, therefore showing his open-mindedness.
• During the scene in the boat, Sonic miserably tells Tom to stop trying to be his father, because he still thinks of him as just a "friend". At the very end, Sonic fully accepts Tom in this role, even calling him "Dad". Tom holding back Tears of Joy seals it.
  Tom: I'm happy for you, pal. You got your wingmen. Perfect friends to grow up with.
  Sonic: I've got a lot more than that... Dad.
  (Tom smiles, visibly holding back Tears of Joy)
  Tom: Race you to the truck.
• Before Tom and Maddie make it through the ring to Hawaii, he offers Sonic a hug, but the hedgehog says he's too old for that. But Maddie offers a fist bump, and Sonic happily accepts. The three put their fists together and happily shout "Wachowski!". They really are a family.
  • Speaking of which, with Tom and Maddie adopting Sonic at the end of the first movie and Sonic acknowledging Tom as his father at the end of this movie, some fans have decided to call Movie!Sonic "Sonic Wachowski", both to acknowledge his bond with Tom and Maddie and to tell him apart from his videogame self.
• The very idea of the baseball game at the end. In the previous movie, Sonic played baseball all by himself, and the saddening isolation he felt kickstarted Robotnik's entire pursuit of him. But now, Sonic's finally not alone. He has friends from both worlds who truly care for him. Well, he's got more than friends; he has parents in Tom and Maddie and it's implied that he's gained brothers in Tails and Knuckles.
  • Knuckles having fun and being happy after winning the game is both funny and adorable.
  • What's more, as Maddie notes, Sonic finally has friends who are around his age to hang out with and relate to.
    Maddie: I really like his new friends, especially the red one. He cracks me up.
  • Ozzy comes in to greet Maddie as everyone is going to get ice cream, to show the whole family being at the game.
• Tom and Maddie are implied to have adopted Tails and Knuckles into the family at the end of the movie. Looks like everyone got what they wanted: a big happy family.
  • Knuckles is even seen lifting Tails onto his shoulder, much like an older brother will do for a younger brother; further establishing them as not just friends in this universe, but a true found family with Tom and Maddie as their parental figures.

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