We’re currently just over a week away from the release of Detective Pikachu, a live-action video game adaptation with some surprisingly strong buzz behind it. That last part probably can’t be applied to the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie, but now that the first trailer is finally with us, you can at least judge Paramount’s take on the speedy blue hero for yourself.
That being said, the promo is already getting some heavy down votes online. In particular, many fans of the series are taking issue with the title character’s latest design, who’s voiced by Ben Schwartz of Parks and Recreation fame. Indeed, watching this zany new footage, it’s hard not to be reminded of the live-action 2017 Woody Woodpecker movie, or even the 2011 Easter Bunny film Hop, complete with James Marsden as the straight man sidekick.
Meanwhile, given all the memorable music from the games that the trailer could’ve drawn from, was “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio really the best soundtrack choice?
In all fairness, one part of the trailer that seems to have gone down well with viewers is Jim Carrey’s take on Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Many fans are already predicting that the star’s larger than life performance will be the best thing about the movie, which serves as the feature debut of director Jeff Fowler. The core cast, meanwhile, is rounded out by Tika Sumpter from the Ride Along films and The Mindy Project actor Adam Pally.
We’ll find out if Sonic the Hedgehog can transcend the video game movie curse when it arrives in theaters on November 8th. But so far, it must be said that the film’s marketing isn’t exactly winning over skeptics.