Yay, special eddition commentary!! Well, since I'm scripting Sonic Excelsior and will start casting after I complete and upload the "Shadow: It Doesn't Matter" music video (I haven't forgotten it or shoved it in a drawer, I've just run into a few technical sticky spots), I decided to write a little commentary about voice acting in the Sonic games and cartoons. I've been a fan since the Power Rangers were both Mighty and Morphin', so I decided to throw my two cents into the whole "Voice War" thing.

Sonic The Hedgehog has had four English Language voice actors. From present to deep past they are (Counting speaking roles only, sorry "Sonic Underground" fans...if there are any besides me...), Jason Griffith, Ryan Drummond, Martin Burke, and Jaleel White. The most hotly contested for the title of "Best English Language Sonic Voice Actor" are Griffith and Drummond, but I believe that Jaleel White holds the title.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all the other guys suck and Jaleel White is the Jesus Christ Superstar King Emperor 1337 All Your Base Are Belong To Him Godzilla of voice actors. All of the guys who have lent their voices and acting skills to Sonic have their own merrits. What I am saying is that of all of the actors to have portrayed Sonic in the English language, White has been the most fluid, the most consistent, and the most entertaining of them all. It's as if the man's acting never (or hardly ever) falls flat. From the very first episode of "The Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog", he had Sonic's character and attitude down pat. Griffith and Drummond both seemed to struggle to get into character with Sonic, but White had him dead on from his first cartoon. Some could attribute that to the fact that Jaleel White never had to try and lip synch to pre-animated mouth movements while still remembering his lines and staying in character, but there are plenty of English Language voice actors who are able to pull off while dubbing this feat and make it look like the animation was synched to their performances instead of the other way around.

No, What White brought to Sonic was exactly what he brought to Steve Urkel in his aproximately decade-long role on "Family Matters"...pure talent. That ability of an actor, whether it is on stage or on screen, vocally or live action, to breath life into a character and make him, her, or it believable. When t comes to anything animated with dialogue, the animator can have the skill of a god, but if the actor can't pull the character off convincingly, the audience's belief is only suspended about half way. Jaleel White has that ability to suck the audence all the way in, which is what made Urkel a break-out hit and what the casting department at Dic and ABC understood when casting him as Sonic.

"But, what about Drummond and Griffith?", you're probably thinking now. "Where do they stand?" Well, Drummond doesn't stand tall on my list. He never got a chance to really grow into the role, so his work as Sonic can be pretty awkward, especially when heard next to White or more recent Griffith. Griffith was quite awkward in the begining as well, but I think he's gotten more in touch with Sonic's character, which shows in the steadily improving quality of his acting. He may even get as good as White in a few years time. Burke edges Drummond out for third place because, although he only voiced Sonic once, he still sounded better acting wise than Drummond. Sure, there were awkward bits here and there, but to me he wasn't as awkward as Drummond line-for-line.

Now you must be thinking, "So, for your project, what the heck do you want in Sonic's voice, anyway?" Well, I'll tell you, plain and clear as day. What I'll be looking for is an actor who can come close to White's level of characterization and acting, and wrap that in a voice that sounds like kind of a happy medium between Jason Griffith or Ryan Drummond and Jaleel White. That, to me, would be perfect for Excelsior.

I know now that you're probably tired of my psuedo-scholarly overview of Sonic voice actors. Heck, you probably want to reach through the computer and pimp slap me if you're a Drummond or Griffith fan. Just keep in mind that the words above are only my opinion. This has been a Coming Attractions Special Edition. Thanks for reading, keep your comments civil, and remember, brush your teeth every day, because the same plaque that grows on your teeth can go right to your artery walls when swallowed (No, really, look it up, it's a medical fact.).