DVD Review: Sonic Underground - Volume 1

Dr. Robotnik discovers a prophecy that the hedgehogs will eventually defeat him, be reunited with their mother and restore peace to the planet. He makes it his mission to ensure that Sonic, Manic and Sonia don't fulfill their destiny. With the assistance of powerful medallions, the three siblings are doggedly determined to win the fight for freedom over the evil Dr. Robotnik and his high-tech swatbots.

Sonic (voiced by Family Matters' Jaleel White), is the quickest and coolest hedgehog on the planet. Everyone wants to be like him. His patented "super spin" allows him to buzz right through robots, walls and any other barrier put in his way. Manic (also voiced by Jaleel White), Sonic's brother and the drummer in the band, is pretty much focused on his drumming all the time. Sonia (once again voiced by Jaleel White), is the groups keyboardist. Her portable synthesizer folds up and serves as a gun when needed. Sonia can also do a "super twirl" which allows her to gain speed into a "whirlwind spiral." The siblings need all the power and fortitude they can muster, because Dr. Robotnik is the epitome of evil. He will do whatever it takes to wipe out the hedgehogs and his crew of swatbots are there to help him. Dingo and Sleet are Dr.Robotnik's evil Bounty Hunters. Dingo is buff and none too bright, but in love with Sonia. However, he can make himself into anything. Sleet is a very smart wolf who comes up with solid ways to catch Sonic and his siblings.

Shout Factory has just released Sonic Underground - Volume 1. The three DVD set includes the first twenty episodes of the cartoon series. Some of the best episodes of this set are as follows:

"Beginnings (Origins, Part 1)" - Queen Aleena tells the story of how Dr. Robotnik took over Mobius, and how she had to give up her three children to fulfill a prophecy exclaiming that one day, the siblings would be able to rise against Robotnik's rule and restore peace to the planet.

"The Price of Freedom" - In a confrontation, Sonia, gets down 'n' dirty with Sleet and Dingo, and to freshen up, she and her brothers travel to east Mobius. There, Sonia is reunited with an old friend, Mindy Latour, and her father. Mindy gives Sonia a locket. Unknown to Sonia or Mindy, the locket is a tracking device designed by Robotnik. Sonia finds out too late, and soon, Mindy's kingdom is swarming with similar wristwatch-style robots, all programmed to capture the hedgehogs. Can the siblings stomp out this huge threat?

"Last Resort" - The hedgehogs come across Lake Valley, a beautiful resort with friendly people. The hedgehogs wonder, how can it be beautiful when Robotnik's controlling the rest of Mobius? Sonia finds out the hard way, things aren't always what they seem.

"Come Out Wherever You Are" - Sonia has been invited to a debutante ball, arranged by Robitnik's right hand man Bartleby. Sonic helps her get there without being caught, but more problems arise when Cyrus chooses her to fly the captives of the "Predator" to safety.

"Friend or Foe" - The band travels to the Floating Island in search of their mother. There they meet Knuckles the Echidna, the island's guardian, who has been falsely told by Sleet and Dingo that the Sonic Underground is after the Chaos Emerald, and he jumps to a lot of false conclusions.

Those are just a few of my favorite episodes. Sonic Underground: Volume 1 also includes: "Getting to Know You (Origins, Part 2)," "Harmony or Something (Origins, Part 3)," "To Catch a Queen," "Mobodoon," "Underground Masquerade," "Tangled Webs," "The Deepest Fear," "Who Do You Think You Are?," "Winner Fakes All," "A Hedgehog's Home is Her Castle," "Artifact," "Bug," "Sonic Tonic" and When in Rome."

Sonic Underground - Volume 1 also includes a bonus CD, Sonic Underground's Greatest Hits. Culled from the episodes on the DVD set, the eight track disc allows fans to rock on to the tunes of the Sonic Underground at anytime.

Aside from the CD, Sonic Underground - Volume 1 offers an impressive array of special features. There is a documentary titled, "Developing the Underground," where executive producer Robby London reminisces about the creation of the show. "Songs from the Underground" features Robby London and Sonic Underground's songwriter Michael Piccirillo. Add to this a music video jukebox and story boards to screen featurette and you have a pretty impressive DVD set.