The Sonic the Hedgehog Movies Bring Back A Beloved Old Trope (2024)

The Sonic the Hedgehog movies are among the best video game adaptations on the big screen. Part of their success comes from the source material. There aren't many video game characters in the history of the medium as straightforwardly enjoyable as Sonic the Hedgehog. The games arguably sell themselves more on the character than on the gameplay. Sonic's love of chili dogs is one of those character traits that feels straight out of the 90s. The movies keep it alive as a charming nod to Sonic's non-game appearances and the Trademark Favorite Food trope.

Like most video game characters, live-action cinema was not Sonic's first run to the screen. The 80s and 90s packed in countless Saturday morning cartoons about the most popular NES and Genesis icons. Sonic also starred in countless comics, many of which established lore that would influence the character's perception for decades. Even in the early days of the franchise, Sonic games were only a small part of the blue blur's personal mythology.

Sonic the Hedgehog and the Trademark Favorite Foods trope

Sonic the Hedgehog's love of chili dogs and Knuckles' love of grapes both fit comfortably into the Trademark Favorite Foods trope. That term, as defined by TV Tropes, covers any food or drink that a fictional character loves so much that they make it a critical part of their personality. In one of the earliest examples, Bugs Bunny rarely appears without a carrot in his mouth, mimicking the gestures many contemporary standup comedians would use with a cigar. Some characters, most notably Popeye, use a distinct food as the source of their power. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles solidified this trope in a way. The titular turtles love pizza, a detail of their character that remains stable but becomes less common in every iteration. Their constant cravings for a New York slice inspired the many comparable "animals with abs" series to try out the same gimmick. Thus, the Biker Mice from Mars loved hot dogs, the Extreme Dinosaurs claimed Mexican food, and the Street Sharks picked burgers, shakes, and hot dogs again. The Street Sharks even took time to proclaim their disdain for pizza as a little dig at their rival series. Sonic got wrapped up in the same fondness for favorite foods.

Sonic's history with the Trademark Favorite Food trope

As every fan knows, Sonic has expressed his fondness for chili dogs since the early days. Though it's been a common element of the character since the early 90s, the games didn't mention them until 2004. He wasn't seen holding or eating his favorite food in a game until 2008's Sonic Unleashed. The original obsession emerged from the Archie Comics, the first issue of which featured a real-world recipe for chili dogs. The idea to give Sonic an appreciation for that specific confection came from the 1992 behind-the-scenes story bible for the 1993 Sonic the Hedgehog Saturday morning cartoon. It was a consistent element of the cartoons, comics, and official art for over a decade before it appeared in a game.

Knuckles also plays with this trope

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduced Knuckles to the big screen. With Idris Elba's powerful voice, the character became an instant fan favorite. As established in the film, Knuckles is a big fan of grapes. There's something funny about Sonic's favorite food being the most processed imaginable meat product and Knuckles choosing a healthy, natural snack from the produce aisle. Knuckles' love of grapes didn't start in the movie. It's actually a reference to the manual for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the game that introduced the character. The text mentions fruit, but especially grapes, as Knuckles' favorite food. Only the movies have exploited this opportunity to use grapes the way Scooby-Doo uses Scooby Snacks.

Why is this trope so uncommon now?

The Ninja Turtles still love pizza, but they seem to mention it far less frequently than they used to. There are multiple reasons that franchises have moved away from the trope. It's a humorously old-fashioned concept, so indulging in it feels like a throwback. It mostly exists among characters who were around long enough to establish that gimmick back in the 90s. Live-action figures can't reasonably only eat one thing. Imagine if the Avengers discussed shwarma in every film after the first one. Cartoon characters are less likely to promote unhealthy foods in the modern era. One of the other concerns is brand integration. The most recent live-action Ninja Turtles movie made some of its money through an ad deal with Pizza Hut. It's hard to celebrate the wholesome fun of a character with a favorite food when it's going to be used as a commercial first and a joke second.

The Sonic the Hedgehog films happily play with the Trademark Favorite Food trope as a fun nod to the franchise's history. Sonic's love of chili dogs isn't really a character trait, but it is a comedic detail that sets the stage for plenty of gags. The movies have established themselves as celebrations of the long history of the blue blur and everything it stands for.