Sonic X: Return to Soleanna

Sonic X: Return to Soleanna is a 2010 animated film, the fourth film into the Sonic X film series and nearly based onto the original TV series Sonic X (2003-2006). Events used from 2006's Sonic the Hedgehog, the movie was directed and produced by Dana McFarland, as of written by Michael Haigney and Ted Lewis. It stars Jason Griffith, Amy Palant, Dan Green, Lisa Ortiz, Kathleen Delaney, Mike Pollock and Rebecca Honig as the voices of Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Rouge the Bat, Cream the Rabbit, Doctor Eggman and Shadow the Hedgehog. Other characters features with the return of Team Chaotix, Blaze the Cat and Babylon Rogues. Lacey Chabert, who voiced Princess Elise from 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game, will reprise her role for the film. Ben Linkin will voice King Lydio the Hedgehog, the new villain for the franchise. Animation for the movie begins on November 17, 2009. The film also features the return of Elise and Blaze, and the first appearance of King Lydio the Hedgehog, who quickly died into this film, as of Cosmo.

Released in theaters worldwide on June 4, 2010, the film was the first installment to release in IMAX. The June 4, 2010 release date is the original release date for the previous film, Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic to release to, which has since moved up to October 2, 2009, because of that production is already completed. The film enjoyed with successful film reviews and has set a record for the biggest midnight premiere for an animated movie ever with the release in nearly 3,000 theaters, including widest release for animated movie. But was unable to reach over Shrek the Third, where it was the third biggest opening for an animated movie behind it and Shrek 2. Toy Story 3 later surprised it, where this film now became fourth. Worldwide, the film is up to $861 million, become the second most successful film of 2010 behind Alice in Wonderland. Despite with that, it is the franchise's most successful film.

Plot
Years after the death of Raven Radix, King Lydio was unleashed as the newborn villain to rule over the world, within army of Raven Radix were under their command to start to rule over the world searching for their new boss to help them, with the help from King Lydio. Meanwhile, he gives Shadow the Hedgehog an assignment to become evil, displaying the fact of lying to him that he will be reborn as evil. Meanwhile, Sonic the Hedgehog plans on heading to Soleanna to see Elise again, where they start to spend a great time with each other together, where King Lydio attacks Soleanna as Sonic and Elise escapes from them.

Later, Elise gets is nearly kidnapped by King Lydio and Shadow, using Chaos Control to make him and Elise disappear to escape. Meanwhile, Cream the Rabbit begins to have feelings with Miles "Tails" Prower but overseas to Cosmo, until they were attacked by King Lydio's new army from Raven Radix, attemping to kidnapped Cosmo. Meanwhile, Rouge the Bat is able to keep her save, but King Lydio sneaks and kidnapped Cosmo and set fire at Tails workshop and Tornado 2. Meanwhile, Sonic and Elise begins dating, but they kissed making Amy Rose to ended her relationship with him, and goes over with Silver, who now has feelings for Blaze.

Meanwhile, King Lydio kidnaps Shadow and puts him in his control, also goes to Metal Sonic out making Doctor Eggman furious. Knuckles the Echidna and Amy spots Shadow and Metal Sonic joining evil and caught Cosmo and Elise, where they were enterupt by their army. Sonic finally caught them and saves Cosmo, Elise and Shadow. Sonic uses Chaos Control to escape from them.

Meanwhile, Rouge begins to have feelings for Shadow, when Knuckles falls in love with her and tries to protect her, but ended with Shadow and Knuckles fighting over Rouge, and starting to give her own decision to choice who does she like more. Meanwhile, Blaze explains to Rouge that Shadow is born as a good guy, but if joining the dark side lets him to make a mistake. While Silver the Hedgehog thinking, he gets attacked by one of Raven Radix's army, till Blaze the Cat, returns and rescues him where they head to Soleanna, where they later head to search for Sonic to help him destroy the army as well as King Lydio.

Meanwhile, the Chaos Emeralds were hidden through out seven places around Soleanna. They journey to find all seven, there King Lydio steals one of them. The battle went back to Soleanna. Back in Soleanna, the gang gets trapped behind the powerful force field, as King Lydio transforms into an ultimate beast as well as Shadow becoming Super Shadow to take over with him. Elise wishes on getting the Chaos and set them free to get power to Sonic and Silver to fight for the final time. In conclusion, King Lydio uses the Chaos Spear nearly killing Silver, but Cosmo rescues him and kills herself, where Silver also died as he fell dead to the ground as Sonic uses chaos spear as well, when Blaze kisses Silver in the forehead. King Lyio was destroyed and Shadow became normal, as well as Elise were now save, but Cosmo is not where she disappered. Shadow later heals on Silver, as he gang mourn on Cosmo, as Soleanna is saved. At Cosmo's funeral, Tails kiss Cream for having feelings for her, as of Rouge chooses Shadow instead of Knuckles. Everyone took their ride home on Tornado 2, as Elise ended her relationship with Sonic, where they became only friends. Meanwhile, before he leaves Elise, Sonic proposes to Amy. Sonic than takes Amy on a run for their romantic date, while others head home on Tornado 2.

Development
On October 16, 2009, with the box office success of Sonic X: Curse of Raven Radix, Sonic X: The Shadow Snow and Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic, Sega wants to make more sequels for the Sonic X movie franchise, to make the franchise popular. On November 6, 2009, the film has announced a title as Sonic X: Return to Soleanna, where is going to be about Sonic makes his return and see Elise once again, as her world is attack once again.

Animation begins at the end of the year originally, but starts in November, for summer 2010 release, which is July 21, 2010, till the date later changed to June 4, 2010 confirmed from Fox. Rather than release Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic in June 2010, but moved it to October 2009, they are planning to make another one to come out in 2010, and to make Sega more popular.

Director Dana McFarland, who directed the first three films; Sonic X: Curse of Raven Radix, Sonic X: The Shadow Snow and Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic, said that he will return to direct this film. On January 1, 2010, Fox decided to release the movie as the final one into the movie franchise for it's popular video game franchise, as well to be the first movie to release in IMAX theaters, similar announcment for Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3 and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Animation
Animation for Sonic X: Return to Soleanna begins on November 17, 2009, and will last for nearly couple of hours. It will draw a scene of a new villain appearing and planning on to take over the world. Following the scenes that Sonic seen Elise and new villain attemp to kidnapped her and take over the world. Scenes will seen a result of Silver's death. Animation also takes place over seven places for the hidden Chaos Emeralds to be found, like they made from the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game, which was for "The End of the World".

As of other scenes that were met to be drawing for the movie will be well used, they will be a drawing scene of Shadow joining the dark side. There are other scenes of the drawing to be showing Tails and Cosmo kissing each other, when Cream became jealous because she has true feelings for him. Also, they is a scene where Shadow and Rouge begins to have feelings to each other, when Knuckles became jealous, when he secreterly fell in love with Rouge. Also, there will be a scene where Amy celebrates her 14th birthday.

More scenes will include as well with Silver, Amy and Knuckles spots King Lydio doing his plans when Shadow was seen with him to do something evil. They also draw scenes of Sonic, Silver and Shadow got their transformation to battle against King Lydio for the last time, as King Lydio stabs Silver in the chest as he dies falling when his power goes down, but Shadow brings him to life using a chaos emerald.

Also, there will be romance scenes between Sonic and Elise, who both were having a crush on each other, which was a way of a human and creature falling in love, starting to make Amy jealous. Also, other scenes will be in the movie is Shadow and Knuckles both fighting over Rouge for who will she choose. Also in the movie, they is a funeral scene where Cosmo has died, and Sonic and Amy are met to get married at the end of the movie.

Cast

 * Jason Griffith as two characters:
 * Sonic the Hedgehog, The main protagonist of the series. Sonic is a male hedgehog with blue fur. His primary ability is super speed; in fact, Sonic is capable of running faster than the speed of sound, and able to move faster than any sort of opponent. He plans to see his beloved friend Elise once again. He joins as member of Team Sonic to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Shadow the Hedgehog, A black hedgehog created by Gerald Robotnik with use of DNA from Black Doom. He almost died saving the world, and after falling from space he was found in a capsule by Rouge in one of Eggman's bases. He is now an agent working for G.U.N. Meanwhile, Shadow became overwhelmed of new born villain, King Lydio the Hedgehog, who assistants him to join evil.
 * Jet the Hawk, the leader of the Babylon Rogues, who helps Sonic to defend the world, while going over seven places to search for all seven Chaos Emeralds.


 * Amy Palant as Miles Prower, Sonic's best friend who is a young fox with two tails hence his nickname, which he can twirl like helicopter blades to fly. Tails is also incredibly talented with technology and robots; his skill equals that of Dr. Eggman's. He joins as member of Team Sonic to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Dan Green as
 * Knuckles the Echidna, A hotheaded echidna with red fur, he is the strongest character in the series, capable of breaking anything with his fists. He is the guardian of the Master Emerald, and also a friendly rival to Sonic. He joins as member of Team Sonic to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Storm the Albatross, tough member of the Babylon Rogues, who helps Sonic and others to protect the world from King Lydio, when he and others goes to seven places to get all of the seven chaos emeralds.


 * Lisa Ortiz as Amy Rose, A female hedgehog with pink fur, Amy is in extreme love with Sonic and is often chasing him. While celebrating her 14th birthday, she joins as member of Team Rose to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places, and also jealous of Sonic having a crush on Elise.
 * Caren Manuel as Rouge the Bat, A secret agent working for G.U.N., and jewel thief in her spare time, who joins as member of Team Dark to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Jon St. John as the President, The president of the United Federation, who lives in the White House in Central City.
 * Rebecca Handler as
 * Cream the Rabbit, one of Amy's friend, who joins as member of Team Rose to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Vanilla the Rabbit, Cream's mother.


 * Oliver Wyman as Big the Cat, one of Amy's friend, who joins as member of Team Rose to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Bella Hudson as
 * Secretary, a assistant to the President.
 * Blaze the Cat, 14 years old and appointed as defender of the Sol Emeralds, as one of Silver's friend, knowing to become his love interest. She returned and helped Sonic and others to get all of seven Chaos Emeralds.
 * Wave the Swallow, member of the Babylon Rogues, as a love interest to Jet, helps Sonic and others to defend the world from evil King Lydio.
 * Tikal the Echidna, 14-year-old of Knuckles' memories of Chaos.


 * Mike Pollock as Dr. Eggman, The main antagonist of the series, also known as Dr. Ivo Robotnik. A mad scientist who is constantly trying to take over the world. He specializes in robotics and advanced technology. He helps Sonic and others to protect the world by getting all seven Chaos Emeralds from Kingd Lydio
 * Pete Capella as Silver the Hedgehog, headgehog from future was killed in the film, as Shadow rescues him. Joins to help Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Ben Linkin as King Lydio the Hedgehog, the powerful and dark hedgehog, is taking over the world.
 * Lacey Chabert as Princess Elise, princess of her hometown of Soleanna, which it was no longer safe, after the attack of King Lydio the Hedgehog taking over her. Sonic and the gang must protect her. She has a crush on Sonic
 * David Wills as Espio, member of the Chaotix team who helps Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Carter Cathcart as Victor, leader of the team Chaotix, who helps Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Amy Birnbaum as
 * Charmy, a member of team Chaotix who helps Sonic and friends and allies to get all of the seven Chaos Emeralds from seven places.
 * Cosmo, Tails' love interest, who is kidnapped by King Lydio, and broke up with him before she kills herself to rescue Silver, who also is killed.


 * Ryan Drummond as Metal Sonic, a robotic copy of Sonic, as one of Eggman's robots, who became out of control to join King Lydio's side, must reboard him away.

Lacey Chabert, who voiced Princess Elise from 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game, will reprise her role for the film. Ben Linkin will voice King Lydio the Hedgehog, the new villain for the franchise.

David Wills as Raven Radix/Espio Bella Hudson as Tikal the Echidna/Woman/Maria Robotnik Carter Cathcart as Victor and Amy Birnbaum as Charmy/Cosmo will reprise their roles.

Marketing
Since the announce of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse announcing for release in IMAX, Fox represents for Sonic X: Return to Soleanna to release in IMAX as well, to set the movie much darker, and much bigger than the previous films. A teaser poster was released on March 25, 2010, as well as Wallposters were released on March 27, 2010.

Character posters were released on same day with a teaser poster, featuring Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow and Rouge. Wallposters features Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy, Shadow, Rouge, Eggman and Omega. Action figures with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Rouge, Eggman and King Lydio in one single box were released in stores, including some from Burger King.

The Sonic X: Return to Soleanna motion picture soundtrack will be composed by James Arnent. A teaser trailer premiered online December 26, 2009. On January 1, 2010, the first promoto photo was released online. On February 5, 2010, a first trailer for the film was released online. The film's theatrical poster showing Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy was released on April 7, 2010.

On May 16, 2010, Burger King begins promoting toys for Sonic X: Return to Soleanna, as of the film's title seen on a Burger King bag and cups, and including action figures of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Rouge, Eggman and King Lydio. A photo of Sonic the Hedgehog is seen on a cup which appears to be winning $5 million for a car and a free vacation to Los Vegas.

Within in that promotion, picutres of Sonic X: Return to Soleanna were shown pictures of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles on the popcorn boxes and cups. Also, t-shirts, hats and shoes for Sonic X: Return to Soleanna were promoted for the film as well in the markets. This can get attention for fans to watch the film. On May 11, 2010, the final trailer for Sonic X: Return to Soleanna was released online, along as an IMAX version, which is three weeks before the film's release. Ben Linkin will make his appearance on Late Show with David Letterman on May 14, 2010. On May 13, 2010, the film's movie clip was released, with Sonic and Elise being attacked by King Lydio the Hedgehog, and kidnapping Elise.

As of May 21, 2010, the film issued a PG rating by the Motion Picture Rating System: the reason for the film gets this rating is because of the film has "mild sequences, some violence and mild language". This is also the fourth film to have a PG rating, since the previous films were rated PG. A character banner featuring with several of the characters was released on May 14, 2010.

On May 20, 2010, 20th Century Fox released eight of the poster for the movie, featuring with a couple of characters into the film, including Blaze the Cat, Big the Cat, Babylon Rogues, Lydio the Hedgehog and Team Chaotix. More movie clips hits the web since May 23, including Knuckles and Shadow arguing and fighting over Rouge, Rouge and Blaze talking about Shadow, Sonic and Elise out on a date and were about to kiss, and King Lydio and Shadow attacking Tails, Cosmo, Cream and Big and Sonic and Shadow battling each other.

Release
Within the previous film, Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic changed its' release date from June 4, 2010 to October 2, 2009, Sonic X: Return to Soleanna will opened in theaters on June 4, 2010, originally set to release on July 21, 2010 nor July 23, 2010 as well for others like June 25, 2010 and June 23, 2010, with it's new release date was the 19th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog release, but wishes for the movie to have the 20th year anniversary of the franchises' beginning.

Sonic X: Return to Soleanna was released earlier than the United States' release date. It was released on June 2, 2010 in United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico and France. It was be released on June 3, 2010 in Poland and Hong Kong. However, it was also be released on June 4, 2010 in United States and Canada. The movie wil be the first one to have IMAX nor IMAX 3D. The film was released just eight months after the previous film, Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic was released. It was previously tried to release it sometimes between June 30, 2010 and July 2, 2010 for an 4th-of-July premiere, but was taken away, due to releases of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (June 30) and The Last Airbender (July 2).

On April 30, 2010, tickets have been on sale, and were quickly sold out as of May 11, 2010. The film's world premiere will take place in Los Angeles starting on May 27, 2010. Ben Linkin will be invited. The film will begin in London starting on May 31, 2010, which is two days before the film's release in UK on June 2, 2010.

The film's runtime is 112 minutes (1 hours and 52 minutes), making it the longest, for a Sonic X film into the franchise, suprising a 110 minutes (1 hour and 50 minutes) of Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic, which is 2 minutes shorter than Return to Soleanna.

On June 4, 2010, 20th Century Fox plans to premiere the film into more than 4,000 theaters, to make sure that it has the widest release for an animated film, since Shrek 2 was released in only 4,163 theaters. Shrek Forever After has the widest release for an animated film for 4,359 theaters, in order for it to become the most successful film of 2010. The previous film, Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic was released in 4,125 theaters, while Curse of Raven Radix and The Shadow Snow were both were released in more than 3,000 theaters.

Return to Soleanna opens in 4,391 theaters, becoming the widest release for an animated movie, as well as the widest release of all-time, beating Iron Man 2's record of 4,380 theaters. Fox became happy for their film has the world record for large number of theaters. On June 3, 2010 at 12:01, the film will debut in 3,000 theaters, making it the first animated film to release in that amount of theaters for a midnight premiere of any animated film, and the widest for that movie. On it's second weekend, it gains 10 more theaters to play the film now in 4,401 theaters. Now on it's third weekend, the film now gains 130 theaters and now played in 4,521 theaters, become the best number of theaters ever.

Critical reception
As of June 8, 2010, the film scored with mixed reviews scoring 85% from the Rotten Tomatoes based on 100 reviews, with an average score of 5.6 out of 10, the second highest rated film from Rotten Tomatoes behind the previous film. The film also had mixed reviews on the "Top Critic" scoring 100% based on 200 reviews, with average score of 5.8 out of 10. Meanwhile, Cream of the Crop also gives the film a popular review describes it: "beautiful, fun, romantic, asskicking and sexy movie." However, it holds 54% based onto the 30 reviewers. Metacritic scored the film a 44% over the ratings from 50% of reviewers.

The Times newspaper rated the film on a scale of a 3 out of 5. Entertainment Weekly Amanda Humphrey gave the film a C and also praised: "for what's something about drama, is something that audiences were expected to listen and watch to hear the whole thing for it. The movie is far as the best movie of 2010." Blogcritics praised: "Sonic X 4 is way better than the last movie. I mean... its' one of the best movie ever. Because, this has much of a darker experience and there a more action, and bit of a couple of romance. This is indeed the best animated movie ever saw. People were expected to see some kissing on big screen between Sonic and Amy, Sonic and Elise, Tails and Cosmo, Tails and Cream, Knuckles and Rouge, Shadow and Rouge and Jet and Wave. Kissing scenes might be the best one yet. That's why that it should be the best movie ever." '

Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers praised the film: "This movie is like taking you on an adventure. This is far as the best Sonic X movie of them all." Richard Stengel of Time magazine praised: "This is far as the best movie of 2010. Anyone has to watch this movie. Romance, actions, drama and sometimes comedy and more are being showing. I think that this might be a blockbuster hit for the summer." David Halberstam of New York magazine reviews the film when praising: "When it comes on watching so many animated movies of the franchise. Video game fans were seeming to enjoy them and asking Hollywood that they want to see more and more."

Box office
The film grossed $11.5 million, making it the biggest opening for an animated movie at its' midnight premire ever in 3,000 theaters, beating The Revenge of Sonic ($3 million) in 2,000 theaters, as well as the seventh biggest midnight opening of all-time. The film than grossed with an ultimate $40.2 million on its' opening day in 4,321 theaters broke the previous film's record for biggest opening day of all-time for an animated movie ($38 million) back in October. That record was later broken by Toy Story 3 with $41 million two weeks later.

The film than took the #1 spot grossing in an ultimate $105 million making it the second biggest opening for an animated movie of all-time behind Shrek the Third's ($121 million). It is now third until Toy Story 3 ($110 million) was released. With an #1 opening overseas of $94 million, giving the film's worldwide total to $199 million, become the highest-grossing opening for an animated movie worldwide of all-time. The film stayed at #1 for two weeks, where it made another $77 million. As of July 5, 2010, total tickets sales are $280 million, with a still $581 million overseas, and currently up to $861 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2010.

Awards

 * 2010 Teen Choice Awards - Choice Movie: Animated - Pending

Sequels

 * Main article: Sonic X: The Black Knight

Developing for the fifth installment begin on August 2009, after Sonic X: The Revenge of Sonic rescheduling for release from June 2010 to October 2009, setting for release in summer 2011. But turned out that they are no plans for making a fifth movie, so 20th Century Fox reported the fifth film as hoax. However, on May 26, 2010, it announced that 20th Century Fox is not done with the film series yet, because of them have other plans on making more movies about Sonic X movie sequels to help Sega to have its' successful charts. It announced to make more Sonic X sequels titled in Sonic X: The Black Knight, setting for May 13, 2011 release. Animation begins in June 30, 2010. The film will have effects from Sonic and the Black Knight. The film will have Knuckles, Shadow and Blaze as Amy's black knights, when Amy will be as Lady of the Lake. Releasing in May 2011, it will, for the first time, release in 3D and IMAX 3D, 2D will included.

The new character's name was announced as Greg the Fox, and will be voiced by The Twilight Saga star Taylor Lautner. Jane Hoop Elementary actor Ben Linkin will reprise his role as King Lydio the Hedgehog, and Lacey Chabert will reprise her role as Elise. Raven Radix, who has died from two previous film, will return and will be reprised by David Wills.

The movie will be written by Michael Haigney and Ted Lewis. Director and producer Dana McFarland will not return be directing, because he only wants to try one at this time. Instead, Peter Chelsom, the director of Hannah Montana: The Movie will instead be directing the film. Meanwhile, Fox also signed up to make another movie, and will at this time be featuring with guess apperances of the Mario characters.

20th Century Fox signs up for two more movie sequels. The sixth film would be released sometimes in 2012, and was announced on June 8, 2010, that it will be the final installment sometimes known to be as Sonic X: The Final Chapter. While working on the fifth installment, they're also working for the release date of the sixth installment between a May or June 2012, where it's having trouble deciding which release date is perfect for the film.

It will be featuring with Mario characters, including the return of Chip from Sonic Unleashed at this time. A new villain is yet to be confirmed. Animation will be beginning between summer or fall 2011. It will also features with several other characters such as Sally, Bunny, Manic, Sonia and more. Original cast will be replaced by new cast members. Lacey Chabert will reprise her role as Elise one more time.

On June 20, 2010, Fox cancels the film, because of Fox having plans to let Sonic to end his story of staying in the real world and be with his own family, friends and fans to take over his life. The cast, who are previous met to be appearing into this film, will instead to appear in The Final Stand.