RJ Writing Ink

Close Enough Episode 8 Review

Well, here we are at the apparent end to the first season of Close Enough. I don’t know what’s crazier: the fact that I binged it all, or that I wrote all these reviews in one day? Fortunately, my love for this show has kept me going, and the last episode may be one of the funniest ones Quintel’s done. I had no idea he was such a big fan of Jim Carrey.

Not So Psyched Anymore

Every year for the last fifteen years, Josh and Alex have gone to Medieval Times to drink ale and spout Jim Carrey quotes. However, this year Alex chooses to bail on it in lieu of meeting a publisher for his sci-fi Viking story. Josh doesn’t take it very well, so he goes alone, gets drunk, and winds up befriending this talking dog in an alley.

I’m not joking about that. Josh does, in fact, find a talking dog in an alleyway. His name’s Tory, but everyone calls him Dogboy. He’s a genetically engineered human-dog hybrid running from his creator. The two end up bonding over Jim Carrey and Josh decides to make him his new best friend. Then Alex ends up befriending him after getting pointers on his book, and things get even weirder. The scientist lady comes and kidnaps Dogboy for her crazy plans, and the two have to reconcile to save him.

Another Friendship Problem

While of this is happening, Emily and Bridgette have their own friendship problem to deal with. Bridgette wants them to write a new song, but Emily’s too focused on Candice to pay attention to her. When she tries taking them to a cabin in the woods, that also fails and tension starts to rise.

Really, the whole episode is about two friendship problems between two pairs of adults. One member wants to connect with their friend like they used to, but gets mad when the other doesn’t want to focus on it. Yet another example of the tribulations of adulthood: drifting away from your friends.

As fate would have it, though, both pairs end up getting some great advice from unlikely sources. While Josh and Alex get it from Dogboy, Emily and Bridgette get it from Weird Al Yankovic, guest starring as himself! His advice is that they should both accept their differing views and values, as that’s what will create harmony. That, and to summon a demon song god. Al Yankovic, you’re a national treasure. don’t ever change.

Why Jim Carrey

What I’m puzzled the most about this episode, though, is how it amounts to basically a love letter to Jim Carrey. I get that the guy’s a really great actor, and I think that The Mask is one of his best performances ever. However, why is this episode so fixated on him. Is it supposed to be a jab at his career in the 90s when most Millenials grew up? A nostalgic look at what we loved as a kid?

Ultimately, I don’t think that it detracts from the episode, but seems to enhance it. Especially since it’s Josh and Alex’s re-enacting of that famous “most annoying sound in the world” that saves Dogboy from that crazy scientist.

Speaking of which, her plan was to make dogboy into a movie star to cash in on the demand for more practical effects. Guess people are sick of CGI now.

A Hilarious Finale

While this episode doesn’t reach the same heights as some of the season finales to Regular Show, I still think that it’s a strong finish to the first outing of Close Enough. I loved it, and I think fans of Regular Show will, too.

The one downside to all of this, though? We have to wait who knows how long for more episodes to drop.

I Give “The Canine Guy” a 4/5

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Click here to see my review of the entire season.

When I heard that Paramount was making a Sonic the Hedgehog movie, I thought it was a terrible idea. Then I saw what they made Sonic look like, I lost it like the rest of the Internet. Thankfully, the studio made the right call, delayed the movie to fix their mistake, and released it this week. Now, what once seemed destined to be a failure is the highest grossing film based on a video game in history.

I just got back from seeing the film on its opening weekend, and I can safely say that it’s good. For one thing, they redesigned Sonic so that he’s more faithful to his in-game appearance. Furthermore, while they could have gone the easy way and just made the whole thing in CGI, Paramount chose not to. Instead, they chose the harder route and have a story take place in our world. Either decision could have back-fired if done wrong, but the studio and Sega pull it off fairly well. They don’t go overboard with the CGI, only using it when necessary, mostly involving Sonic.

In the film, Sonic has been living on Earth for years near the town of Green Hills, Montana, trying to keep his powers a secret. Trying to keep Sonic under wraps, though, is like trying to give a cat a bath. Next thing he knows, he’s attracted the attention of the US Government, who send in Dr. Robotonik to capture him. Add in a local sheriff who wants to leave Green Hills, and you got a buddy-road-trip-action film.

Supersonic Cast

Now, the story itself isn’t that original: quirky character and a straight man go on a life-changing trip. What makes this film work, though, is the execution. More specifically, how its stellar cast plays off each other.

Playing the lead role as Sonic is the lovable Ben Schwartz. Most people know him from Parks and Recreations; I just know him as the voice of Dewey Duck in the reboot of Ducktales. Ben brings the same energy and self-confidence he shows as Dewey and channels it into an accurate portrayal of Sonic the Hedgehog. He’s energetic, playful, likes saying one-liners and telling jokes. At the same time, though, we see how lonely he is and how much he wants to have a real friend. By the end of the film, he ends up getting one in the form of Tom Wachowski, played by James Marsden. The duo have a genuine chemistry as friends and seem to play off each other fairly well.

Of course, the one who manages to steal the show is Dr. Robotonik, played by Jim Carrey in his best performance in years. He plays the Eggman with the same manic fervor and body language that made him a hit in 90s films like The Mask and Ace Ventura. It’s almost like the 90s Jim Carrey came twenty years into the future to play Dr. Robotnik. Underneath the manic behavior, though, we see he’s already the mad scientist fans know. He knows he’s smarter than anyone else, he’s used to being on top, and is utterly ruthless in his desire to remain there. In short, he’s a good villain.

Where To Now?

So, now that Sonic’s managed to have a hit movie, where does Sega take him? In an ideal world, this would be the start to rebuilding Sonic’s reputation, marred by games that range from average at best to garbage at worst. Or Sega could try and make this a multiple film series and see how well it goes. The ending provides enough sequel bait!

Me, I’m just hoping that Sega doesn’t waste this opportunity for the blue blur. Their star character now has a second lease on life, and they shouldn’t waste it. If you’re a hardcore Sonic fan or only casually know, then I recommend you got see this movie. Gotta Go Fast!

I Give “Sonic the Hedgehog” a 4/5

Click here to see my reviews for various films.