Hybrid animation and live action film Chip n' Dale: Rescue Rangers premiered on May 20 across the United States following a limited debut in Orlando, Florida on May 16. The film, which drew inspiration from the 1989 animated series of the same name, is currently available for streaming via the Disney+ service. Fans were excited to watch the movie due to the promise of cameos from other animated properties. However, viewers were surprised by one rather unexpected - and less than pleasing - cameo appearance.The film, which takes place thirty years after the airing of the original show, sees an estranged Chip and Dale forced to team up once again to investigate a rash of toon kidnappings. In addition to other Rescue Rangers characters such as Gadget Hackwrench and Monterey Jack, the film features appearances from Beauty and the Beast's Lumiere, the titular family from The Simpsons, the "mane" cast of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and even a Banzai Bill from the Mario franchise. Other referenced properties include PAW Patrol, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Kingdom Hearts, and the original toon-live action hybrid film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?When Chip and Dale visit a fan convention to look for clues, they run into none other than "Ugly Sonic," the prototype design for the title character from the 2020 film Sonic the Hedgehog. This version of the character, who was slammed by fans for his small eyes, narrow body and human-like hands and feet, has fully embraced the "Ugly Sonic" moniker, and makes money selling autographs to fans and starring in his own reality show where he helps the FBI solve "even uglier crimes." Like many other characters in the film, he is voiced by a comedian: long-time Saturday Night Live writer Tim Robinson.
"Ugly Sonic" first appeared in posters and previews for the film in early 2019, and was immediately met with negative fan reaction. Fans felt that this Sonic, who had two separate eyes and a taller, rangier frame, was too realistic and "human-like," making him appear unsettling rather than cute. In particular, this Sonic was criticized for his "human teeth," an element which is called out by name in the Rescue Rangers film. Ultimately, Sonic was redesigned in response to criticism, bringing his appearance in the film more in line with his look from the original video game series. The Sonic the Hedgehog film was a success, grossing over $300 million worldwide and spawning a sequel which released in 2022.
The prototype design's appearance in Chip n' Dale: Rescue Rangers caused the hashtag #UglySonic to trend on Twitter. Most fans were amused to see the uncanny valley version of the Blue Blur return, with some feeling that it was a positive thing that even the creators of the original design were now able to laugh at it and acknowledge it as ugly. Others were horrified, expressing that they had no wish to see Ugly Sonic ever again and that they hope he does not make further cameos in the planned Sonic the Hedgehog cinematic universe.
Chip n' Dale: Rescue Rangers is currently available to stream via Disney+.