In his long acting career, Jim Carrey has been seen in more than two dozen films, although his turn as the villainous Doctor Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog is certainly carrying a fresh feel around the portrayal. In order to fully prepare yourself to understand his performance, you should check out his filmography for certain other movies.
Here, we’re not talking about his best films; rather, we’re looking into the movies that are relevant to his role in Sonic. These ten films prove Jim Carrey can be an awesome villain, as well as providing evidence that he is a remarkably diverse actor who can make you despise or love his characters when need be.
Batman Forever (1995)
In one of his first appearances as a villain, Carrey hammed things up big as The Riddler, in a role that had him be directly in conflict with Val Kilmer’s Batman. While the film itself was criticized for being more campy than dark - although critical reception has improved since then - Carrey’s performance is generally praised.
Playing the twisted Edward Nygma, Batman Forever is a fine example in showing how the actor fares in a part that bolsters the lead further, while having the ability to both antagonize the viewer as well as entertain them.
Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
In this movie, Carrey oddly played one man but whe the hero and the villain as well. In Me, Myself & Irene, the story sees a state trooper developing a split personality after years of being a pushover. Here, Carrey was required to play on two extremes.
On one end, he was the very likable, straight-laced Charlie, while on the other end, he played the foul-mouthed and hostile Hank. The film relies squarely on the actor’s shoulders, being a hilarious comedy that shows off Carrey’s talents well.
The Mask (1994)
Considered by most as Jim Carrey’s most famous character, The Mask overall, is a must-see for those who love a good comedy movie. It was the first film where Carrey had a dual role of sorts, playing both The Mask and Stanley Ipkiss.
The film has a simplistic plot, with a timid store clerk gaining a wild side by putting on a mask made by Loki. It's got dancing, jokes, over-the-top antics, and even action sequences. Carrey was at his best throughout all this, making this a complete film with a complete performance.
Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events (2004)
Having one grip on comedic elements, but mainly being a vehicle that steered toward dark, gothic territory, A Series of Unfortunate Events is an unsettling affair, one that still pulls in significant interest for its unique story and cinematography.
Here, we saw Jim Carrey unlike ever before, as his role as the villainous Olaf was unrecognizable; even his funnier scenes had a scary quality to them. The film, which tells the story of Count Olaf’s attempts to kill off his young relatives to claim their family fortune, is a heartbreaking tale of loss and love.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
A rendition of the classic story by Charles Dickens, this version of A Christmas Carol pulled no punches as it presented an insight into the story that was harsh and direct. Ebenezer Scrooge is shown at his worst, and his terrible trip in that night is shown in all its darkness.
Filmed through the use of motion capture, the performances of the cast was too lifelike to only considered as part of animation, and Carrey was the standout here. You hated him, wanted to see him suffer, only for the finale to turn things around and make you root for Scrooge.
The Cable Guy (1996)
We can’t list down Jim Carrey’s villainous roles without bringing up The Cable Guy, where you just can’t figure out what the deal is with the titular character. A stalker with an obsession, he takes to harassing a man he desperately wants to become best friends with.
In this film, Carrey once more combined his comedic flair with his talent for dark material, as the jokes were laced with genuinely thrilling moments. It’s still way funnier than it is scary, yet there’s no doubt it comes across as a finely balanced movie.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The popular Dr. Seuss story came alive in this 2000 film, where Carrey was buried under mountains of makeup to become the Grinch. It’s a comedy fit for the family, as the initially antagonistic Grinch takes a turn for the better once he learns to enjoy the Christmas spirit.
One has to give Jim Carrey credit for going through with this role, as he not only had to play a strange creature from Whoville, he also had to pretend as if the makeup on him was natural. The film goes to show the talent the actor possesses, while also being a feel-good feature.
Dumb And Dumber (1994)
In another one of Jim Carrey’s early successes that has remained relevant even twenty-plus years later, Dumb and Dumber is a film that highlights how the actor can charm his way into the viewer’s heart, even if the character is a total dummy.
Despite a ridiculously simple story of two dimwitted guys mistakenly returning ransom money to the person who dropped it off, the chemistry between the pair ensures it’s a winner. From this film forward, audiences started actively seeking out Jim Carrey performances as cuckoo as this one.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
You might wonder how this movie relates to a Sonic feature, and the answer would be that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind showcases the range of acting ability that Jim Carrey has to the maximum potential.
In a film that is part-science fiction, drama, and comedy, the framing device takes viewers back to the past from the present, placing the main character in a position to reevaluate his love for the one that got away. Carrey drew the sympathies of the audience, while also being flawed enough for the viewer to relate to the female main character as well.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)
While Carrey didn’t join the list of A-listers to voice the character in a game based on the series, he did appear in the first sequel of his career with When Nature Calls. It deserves more praise than the first one too, being an all-round funnier venture and fully exposing Carrey’s mastery in physical comedy.
If at any point in Sonic you come around to thinking that Carrey’s being too over-the-top, then just remember that he once wrestled and surfed fully-grown alligators in this feature when Ace Ventura had to search the African jungles for the Great white bat Shikaka.