Would you believe me if I said Knuckles (at least existing) STILL actually adds to what screentime they give Wade?

Just got out of my own viewing, thoroughly enjoyed in myself. Would say it's a 7/10 as a movie, but Sonic-brained me goes to 9.5/10.

Also cool thing, I ran into Johnny Gioeli at the theater there to see the film himself.

It never really comes up if that's what you mean. As far as the story's concerned, the important aspect there is that they're Sonic's family.

I don't know about Cartoonish but while Carey's Eggman seems about as I remember him in the previous outings, the story itself does treat things as seriously as they warrant I'd say.

I would go as far as to say it's the strongest interpretation of the SA2 story overall. I was skeptical about some changes just being "okay I can deal" but most things legitimately work to its benefit, as upgrades or at least alternatives.