Sonic Prime: Season One Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Sonic Prime: Season One Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown March 19, 2024

Sonic Prime is exactly what you'd expect from a cartoon aimed at aging Gen Z kids and whatever we're calling the generation following in their footsteps. Lots of noise, lots of splashy color, tons of quick-witted characters, and plenty of action, punctuated by everything from slapstick faceplants to charged-up shoes to pirate ships to still-colorful dystopian hellscapes. There's a Paradox Prism at stake, not that it matters what the McGuffin is named, and its shattering shatters reality into a multiverse of villains and heroes. Cause what could be more early '20s than a multiverse storyline? Kudos to Sega of America, Netflix Animation, WildBrain Studios and Man of Action Entertainment, though, for skipping episodic fun in favor of a more cohesive saga that spills from one episode into the next.

Season One offers eight quick-hit, easily digestible episodes -- not too long, not too short -- and the animation team keeps the locales varied and the lightning-sparking action intense, with enough cute comedy sprinkled in between as Sonic, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Rouge, Big and other favorites (Shadow!) face Eggman and his multiversal allies. Does it all get unnecessarily convoluted? Yep. Will you enjoy it as much as your kids? Nope. But come on, share the wealth. Sonic Prime isn't for those of us who had a Genesis, or really even for those who pile into theaters to catch the live-action movies. It's for the next generation of Sonic fans, even if it occasionally feels like one long commercial for the videogame series, accompanying toys and action figures, you name it. But let's not act surprised. Cartoons have long been a thinly veiled marketing machine. No word yet if the second and third seasons will be released on Blu-ray (completing the story), but changes are good. With all that said, a lightning-round episode breakdown seems to be the only box left unchecked:

1. "Shattered" - Sonic is hurled to a strange New Yoke City after shattering the Paradox Prism in a fight with his nemesis, the evil Dr. Eggman. Much like the Council of Kangs in the MCU, this dark version of NYC is ruled by a council of five Eggmans, all bent on multiversal rule. Thankfully Sonic meets Nine, a variant of Tails, who lends his assistance in getting Sonic, who's apparently absorbed the Prism's multiverse warping energy, back home to his friends.

2. "The Yoke's On You" - Shadow travels through time to try to stop Sonic from shattering the Prism, but for all his best intentions, only makes things worse. The Council, determined to capture Sonic and harvest the Paradox energy, send Rusty Rose, an evil cyborg version of Amy, and an army of Badniks to track him down.

3. "Escape from New Yoke" - Sonic and the variants of his friends battle their way to the heart of the Council's lair, reprogramming Rusty Rose and gaining her as an ally (perhaps temporarily). It isn't long before Sonic finds himself in possession of both the crystals and technology needed to hop from one reality to another.

4. "Unwelcome to the Jungle" - Traveling back through time, Sonic overshoots his present and lands far in the past, where he has to earn the trust of Prim, Hangry, Gnarly and Mangey: feral versions of Rouge, Big the Cat, Knuckles and Tails. While there, Sonic hunts for another shard of the shattered Prism.

5. "Barking Up the Wrong Tree" - Thorn, a prehistoric variant of Amy, races to stop Sonic, until he learns that she was once an ally to his new friends. Working to patch up old wounds, Sonic reunites the frenemies who come to a perfectly cartoon-happy solution to their feud after realizing both parties need to grow and change.

6. "Situation: Grim" - Sonic returns to New Yoke City, but he finds Nine and the Resistance less trusting of his intentions. Working to restore their faith in him, Sonic journeys with Nine to a space of shattered time and reality called the Grim.

7. "It Takes One to No Place" - Shadow is trapped in an alt-dimensional void while Sonic is flung to a reality where pirates reign over the seas. There he meets Cap'n Knuckles the Dread, Batten, Sails, Black Rose and Catfish; pirate versions of Knuckles, Rouge, Tails, Amy and Big.

8. "There's No ARRGH in Team" - With Nine captured by the Eggman Council, it's up to Sonic to face down Rusty Rose and the cyborg's worst, as he fights his way to free his friends and set the multiverse right again.

Sonic Prime: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sonic Prime's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation is energetic and efficient, making quick work of any challenge in its path. Colors are bright, bold and vibrant. The palette favors purples whenever Sonic travels to New Yoke City, but then trips to Green Hill and other locales are awash with blazing blues, beautiful greens and earthy browns. Detail is pixel-perfect too, with razor sharp edges and zero slip in clarity at any point. All that without any significant banding, perceptible artifacting or other nuisances.

Sonic Prime: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release of Sonic Prime: Season One features a strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Voices are clean and clear, prioritized without flaw, and balanced nicely with the series' at-times chaotic soundscape and electro-action music. LFE output is strong and assertive (though lacking the depth and resonance of a big screen animated adventure) and rear speaker activity is busy and ably frenetic. Directionality is precise, if a bit two-dimensional, and pans are smooth as well, allow Sonic and his pals to ricochet from channel to channel with hyperactive ease.

Sonic Prime: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blu-ray release of Sonic Prime: Season One doesn't include any bonus episodes or special features.

Sonic Prime: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Yeah, yeah, I'm sure there's more potential in a new Sonic animated series than the multiverse du jour of the moment. But kids won't care, kids'll have a blast, they'll laugh and cheer, and they'll ask for more. What else could you ask for? Sonic Prime: Season One also features a great little AV presentation. It would've been nice to see some bonus content for the kiddos but ah well.