Search - Sonic X - A Super Sonic Hero (Vol. 1) (Edited) on DVD

Superb Anime Cartoon!

05/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sonic X is really Excellent and very faithful to the games. Perfect for any sonic fan young or old. It Starts out when Sonic goes to Dr. Eggman's base to rescue Cream and Cheese. when he arrives, he learns that Eggman has collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds and put them in a powerful machine. Eggman accidentally activates it causing it to malfunction and set off a blast of "Chaos Control" set off by the Emeralds,sending Sonic and his pals(even Eggman) to a Strange new world. while there Sonic meets a lonely boy named, Chris. he later gets reunited with his friends, Tails,Knuckles,Amy,Cream,and Cheese(and his enemy Eggman).together they try to collect the 7 Chaos Emeralds before Eggman does, so they can get home.(SPOILERS) But I here later stuff happens like adaptions to Sonic Adventure 1&2, Sonic Battle, and maybe Sonic Heroes. I'm excited about those.

PROS
They've got the all the characters in the right roles.
Great Animation and Effects.
NOT produced by DiC(shudder).It's all anime.CONS
I'm not too fond of the English Version. 4kids gave it different voices,not the same actors from the games, and they put in a different music track(I liked the original Japanese version better). the editing hurts the show alot.Overall it's good to watch. Nothing to hate about it, except for the cons I said.Anyway, To Heck with the comics and the other sonic cartoons! This is the one for you!"

A Review of the Series and the DVD

02/09/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Sega's beloved Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has finally received the television treatment once again. After the simultanueously-running Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) and Adventures Of (AoStH) series in 1993, the incredibly alternate-universe Sonic Underground in 1998, and an underrated direct-to-video movie in 1999, Sonic triumphantly (cough) returns to the small screen. So, just how exactly does Sonic X stack up against the other shows?

Well, for starters, it's a whole lot more Japanese. True, while the actual Sonic characters look exactly like the Sonic Adventure promo art, everything else looks pretty much like the standard anime "every human must look just alike" junk (anime fans, go ahead and say this review isn't helpful). I greatly preferred the art style of previous Sonic animation ventures, especially the movie (even though it was an anime, it didn't have that normal crapime look).

Also, a potential T-Rex of a show has been stuffed to the brim with Barney dolls, had its teeth removed, and painted pink to make it "Saturday Morning Suitable!" Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to glorify inappropriate content, it's just that something that older audiences would enjoy just as much would be great. In addition, the show contains some of most dull jokes ever cracked on television, such as the diving bell joke in later episodes. Please, people, can we have some real jokes?

Then there's the original characters. No, there's nothing wrong with original characters, but come on! Chris Thorndyke (like they couldn't have picked a better last name) often takes over main characters' roles entirely in adaptation episodes! You will be put to sleep by the two-dimensional original characters, including Chris (who has so much screen time compared to the actual Sonic characters that the show should probably be called Chris X), Danny, Helen (Chris's equally annoying friends), Ella, Tanaka (the Thorndykes' servants), and my personal least favorite, Grandpa Chuck, with his smarter-than-Tails-and-Eggman-combined-ness and irritating personality. Original characters like the above and Sally (StH), Sonia (SU), and Manic (SU) were okay "back in the day" when the games didn't have plots, but now, we want the REAL main characters. Also, there are so many plot inconsistancies with the games, such as Chaos Control being Eggman's tower base instead of the force that teleports the gang to earth in the beginning, and the fact that, in the games, Sonic and friends are earthlings, while they are aliens from another planet in X. While this is acceptable before Sega changed the setting from Mobius to Earth in 1999's Sonic Adventure game, it's simply confusing why they would do such a weird thing. Eggman is also portrayed as a bumbling idiot instead of an actual threat.

The one aspect where Sonic X stands tall is voice actors. All of the voice actors are about a hundred times better than the game actors. Amy's awful, constantly flat-toned VA in the games is replaced by a much better VA who can show a wide range of emotions. Jason Griffith (Sonic, Shadow) is about equal to Ryan Drummond (games) and the Shadow game voice actor. Dan Green (Knuckles) is most likely known for voicing Yugi, Yami, YamiYugi, Yu-Gi-Oh, YugiYami, or whatever the heck his name is on The WB's Yu-Gi-Oh. He is an excellent Knuckles. The only problems I have with the cast are Tails (sounds like a girl) and Rouge (stinky VA in both games and X). Fortunately, all the actors have been used in the recent Shadow the Hedgehog game, in which Jason Griffith is a much better Sonic and Dan Green seems to have his Yugi Motou voice turned on.

My ranting about the series over, I would simply like to say one thing and move on to the actual DVD review: Games > Movie > StH = the Archie Sonic comic series > Sonic X > AoStH. I don't know about Sonic Underground.

Now, the actual DVD review. Individual reviews for each of the episodes.

1.1: Chaos Control Freaks: The premiere episode. A weak episode on all fronts, it shows no promise for the rest of the series. Most of the episode is one non-stop action sequence with little story until the very end, where Sonic meets Chris and exchanges ridiculous banter with him, leading to a weak and abrupt ending. An episode only worth watching for its lack of Chris. 2/5.

1.2: Sonic to the Rescue: Too. Much. Chris. Who is this little idiot kid stealing all of Sonic's screen time? What is he doing to the series? Grandpa Chuck is supposed to be smart, but he instantly believes Chris about Sonic being a blue, bipedal, talking hedgehog? The DVD box promises a shocking last-minute surprise. Surprise? You're kidding. Gee, Eggman's here too! Well, DUH! More of the same "95% action, 5% story" formula that made the last one so "good." Oh well. At least it brought Cream and Tails in. If we're lucky, Chris will be gone by next episode. 2/5

1.3: Missile Wrist Rampage: Guess what? Chris is still here. But even with Chris, this is by far the best episode on the entire DVD. Missle Wrist Rampage delivers a heaping-helping of Amy and Knuckles, two of the more well-written characters on the show, and keeps the focus on the story for the most part, while still delivering a fast-paced action sequence near the end. This is also the first episode to imply any "more-than-friends" relationships with the characters, with some Sonic/Amy hints as well as what might be considered Knuckles/Amy in some places. Dan Green (Knuckles) delivers an excelllent performance, adding to the episode's greatness. While not Joss Whedon-esque (note to the uninformed: Joss Whedon is a television god) television gold, it's easily television bronze. 4/5.

Bonus Episode: Pure Chaos: Pure Chaos takes place some time at the beginning of Season 2. Guess what? CHRIS IS STILL HERE, and he's more annoying than ever. Eggman unleashes Chaos (a Chaos energy god in the games, but one of his creations here; most likely changed for the US to prevent religious groups from killing the show, although they haven't gone after Yu-Gi-Oh), a blue raspberry Jell-O monster on the city after much Chris screen time. A halfway decent episode that is loosely based on 1999's Sonic Adventure. 2.5/5.

DVD Content: The so-called extras include character bios and commercials. At least it's better than The Best of Tokyo Pig's non-existant extras. 1/5.

All in all, only purchase this if you are baby-sitting very young children or are an absolute die-hard Sonic fan like myself. Otherwise, stay away. Total Score: 3/5."

Sonic X DVD isn't the X factor

Paul Spicknall | Maryland | 05/08/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"If you didn't know who 4Kids (who dubbed Sonic X) is... you might want to know. They are the ones who take great popular animes from Japan and turn them into crap.... just a few of the animes they have done are Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Megaman NT Warrior, and now Sonic X. While Sonic X is the best dub they have done so far, it's no where near a good dub or even a poor dub, uncalled for edits and cuts make an anime which should be for older kids for all kids now... it's like taking "The Simpsons" and editing it for very young kids.I have grown up on Sonic the Hedgehog ever since he first appeared on the Sega Genesis way back in 1991... while I am totally happy that we finally have a real Sonic the Hedgehog TV show that is an anime, I am disapported from the dub version, the voices are really bad, and they didn't even allow Ryan Drummond, who voiced Sonic in all the games from Sonic Adventure and up... due to the fact that he didn't live in NY... when he even was going to move... they put in dumb lines and voices are bad enough as it is... the music is even changed (OK, I have to admit that I'm a fan of the English opening, but still...) when will it end?If you want to watch Sonic X, go out and look for the Japanese Version... you can find them around the net... I am not going to pay around 20 dollars for a DVD like this... they don't offer a Japanese track, unedited version, all they give you is 3 episodes that you can see on TV for free and maybe a character bios that are totally off with spelling errors most of the time. If you offer only 3 episodes... at lease give us uncut episodes with the japanese soundtrack... or offer an Unedited and Edited DVD's... which they don't...I do not recommend this DVD or any DVD's of Sonic X Dub version... only buy them if your super hardcore fans (in which you need EVERY Sonic the Hedgehog Item) or a parent who has a child under 5 years old who likes this show. If your a big fan, find the Japanese Version of the Show. I will wait till Uncut episodes come (which will never happen)"

Decent, but only if you're a devoted Sonic fan.

01/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Sonic X Volume 1 contains the following episodes:

01. Supersonic Hedgehog Appears! - Also known as Chaos Control Freaks. While on a mission to rescue Cream the Rabbit from the realms of Dr. Eggman's warzone of a base, Sonic accidentally explodes one of the mechanisms and erupts a massive Chaos Control thanks to the uncontainable power of the seven Chaos Emeralds, sending everyone on different areas of a foreign planet. As Sonic attempts to recollect what just happened, he is greeted by the unfriendly police force of Station Square and is sent on hot pursuit down the blocked highways.

02. Infiltrate! Area 99 - Also known as Sonic To The Rescue. The previous night Sonic had met a young boy named Christopher Thorndyke and his grandfather Chuck, though he barely has any time to kick back and relax as he takes note of Cream's current wherabouts. Chuck soon finds out that Cream is being held at a secret military weaponry called Area 99, and while Chris is worried about Sonic's well-being the smart, speedy, and stylish himself is not too worried about the planned recovery mission.

03. Dr. Eggman's Ambition - Also known as Missile Wrist Rampage. Sonic, Cream, and an aid to Sonic by the name of Miles "Tails" Prower have been united, though Knuckles and Amy are still missing, and Dr. Eggman has already settled in. To start, Dr. Eggman unleashes a robot to terrorize Station Square, and the residents are on the brink of destruction. Tails takes on Dr. Eggman with his special bi-plane, the Tornado 2, but as the two forces are sedated, Knuckles and Amy appear to make it their duty to catch Dr. Eggman's attention as Sonic hurries to the scene.

27. The Beginning Of Disaster - Also known as Pure Chaos. This is adapted from the 1998 game known as SONIC Adventure released for SEGA Dreamcast. Six months after Super Sonic has defeated Dr. Eggman's superpowerful machine, E-99, the self-proclaimed doctor has been working on many simultaneous plots that could possibly not fail. Introducing the E-100 series, a line of robot brothers that are designed to locate a certain frog named Kaeru-kun, and to serve on the Egg Carrier, Dr. Eggman's latest addition to the Egg Fort series. If things could not get any worse, a water demon by the name of Chaos 0 appears and terrorizes Station Square. Sonic, upon returning from his adventure, immediately takes on Chaos 0, though the fight is not as simple as it seems as Chaos 0 absorbes two Chaos Emeralds and transforms into a new and more powerful form, Chaos 2.

This volume is definately not the best of the series as it places episode 27 right in the middle of it, which may throw off many Sonic X viewers if they have not been keeping track of episodes 25 and 26. While "Supersonic Hedgehog Appears!" is one of the better dubbed episodes in the series, "Infiltrate! Area 99" is rather boring compared to other episodes, due to it setting in a place resembling Dr. Eggman's base but lacking the guard robots that always made the later zones in Sonic the Hedgehog games fun. "Dr. Eggman's Ambition" is a fun episode as it finally introduces Dr. Eggman himself and his conquest for world domination, and for the first time in the series the classic battle between Sonic and Dr. Eggman. "The Beginning Of Disaster" is rather tedious, admittingly, if you have already played SONIC Adventure, but if you're looking forward to watching this game animated, then you would not find it too bad. The only problem I have with the English version of this episode is that Tikal's touching speech about the good of humanity at the beginning is cut and skips directly to Big the Cat in the Mystic Ruins. Other than that, Sonic X Volume 1 is a good introduction to Sonic X English DVD collecting."