“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is the strongest installment of the franchise because it stays true to the series’ values and appeals to families.
It effectively adapts the beloved games and lore from childhood, keeping the legacy alive as time passes, unlike many other gaming franchises that have struggled to remain relevant when transitioning to film.
Director Jeff Fowler’s latest adaptation into the realm of the Sega sandbox is relatively free, allowing everyone attached to the project to stay authentic to the franchise’s legacy and lore, which many have come to know and love.
From the simple musical tracks that trigger pure dopamine, feeling earned, never forced due to being embedded in the film’s score, pieced and remixed through the craftsmanship of series composer Tom Holkenberg (Junkie XL), causing audiences to jump in unison to carols of nostalgia, to scripture and character animations plucked from the fabled iconography and timeline of the franchise.
Each element of reference is ideally noted, assembling a sturdy foundation through the visual effects, which feel a tad more polished, lending way for the film to boast more potent visuals and a tighter story, carried and upheld by solid performances from the entire cast, notably newcomer Keanu Reeves, and Jim Carrey in a double role of playing double the trouble as Dr. Ivo Robotnik aka Eggman and his grandfather Gerald. Treading back, Reeves is yet another perfectly ballpark home run casting expertly juxtaposed with Ben Schwartz as the Sega fanboy Sonic himself.
Nonetheless, fans can be safely assured that Reeves shines as the fan-favorite Shadow the Hedgehog because the script and personal attention to the mannerisms and characteristics of the game offer a broader sense of character development and humanity to the once-shelved and misunderstood Sega creation.
Shadow has long been seen as a Sonic lookalike since his debut in the praised Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the Sega Dreamcast, a nostalgic piece of gaming history. He was sidelined and turned into merchandise to fit the darker side of the Sonic brand. When his own game was released, Shadow faced some writer’s confusion, leaving many fans feeling cautious and disappointed, as he had been overlooked and rejected for years.
However, those lingering woes are quickly proven wrong as the chemistry between the actors transcends and reflects the pure adrenaline of the games. Everything works in cohesion, folding into one another as Fowler incorporates various authentic character tropes into each character, such as Shadow’s motorcycle, the character using guns, and even the patent Akira slide. Sonic enjoys a chili dog from time to time but still feels he has become a protector and now a leader, as the trio has forged Team Sonic, comprised of Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Miles “Tails” Prower (Colleen O’Shaughnessy), each feeling comfortable in their role on Earth, no longer longing to find a way home.
Our group of heroes is now redeemed and tethered to the value of family morals of humanity, which at the core of Sonic is represented by each character recognizing the nurture of their new environment achieved throughout the trilogy of films, which is all serviced and noted in the narrative’s journey.
Elba as Knuckles is just pure comedic goofiness, and it works, as the timing of his delivery and how the character questions various pop-culture references while drawing back to the misunderstood role of being a guardian when no one is around to be protected.
Shaughnessy’s performance as Tails is effectively used; he is no longer just Sonic’s buddy but has his own purpose and importance in the plot. His performance highlights the value of having a dedicated voice actor who brings care and attention to the character. This raises the question of why voice actors should be cast in larger-budget adaptations, even if their impact might only be felt by gamers at home discovering the hidden joys of the game.
Running congruent to the freedom and tight-knit family circle of James Marsden and Tika Sumpter being the surrogate parents of three famous icons, which feels like a more family-centered TV pilot, is the critical decision of the writers to paint and input the character of Shadow as a corrupted moral deconstruction of Sonic is genius.
It’s painted and pushed through the lens of the film, declaring the film Shadow’s story; despite the antihero duking it out with Sonic and friends and the occasional high jinks of Jim Carrey’s magic and the ever-loving Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub), there’s an underlying current and sense of empathy that even the coldest victims, in this case, Shadow, were once filled with innocence and joy.
Drawing out the mystery of how the conduit to his peace in the presence of his only friend, Maria Robotnik (Alyla Browne), who is a key figure in the narrative of the character from not only the games but all other forms of visual media, left an imprint on the soul and moral conscience of the identity of the red and black hedgehog, pushing him further into the void of rage and devastation.
I praise Fowler and his team of production designers and set creators for leading us to one location just before we enter the painful nightmare of the rose-tinted mirage that Shadow and the audience wish to hide. This serves as a reminder to those not in the loop that there’s more to the anti-hero’s subtle isolation and the tragedy that shaped him into who he is now.
This leads to points of pure aggression and the morality of our heroes facing a dilemma: What if we slip and give in to our anger? How would Sonic react? Would everything he achieved crumble like a house of cards and fade from his heart? It’s a question raised as the theme throughout the film and works for the moral being conveyed.
The film includes some human comedy that varies in quality, featuring a mission-impossible montage and drawn-out subplots. The highlight is Carrey’s joyful performance, showcasing his zany dance numbers and an outrageous montage that should remain unspoiled to protect the comedian’s creative freedom. Carrey effectively reinterprets the classic Sonic antagonist while staying true to the character’s core essence.
Now, in the case of Carrey, as Gerald Robotnik, it felt a bit odd at times, but in other moments, seeing his darkness emerge and how he perceives Ivo (Eggman) just as a tool to be used to advance his machinations raises the point of false love and attention, and how we are all trying to find our purpose and the beacons we aspire to meet aren’t who we genuinely envision or create in our minds.
Building to the point, the screenplay makes you feel a bit empathetic for Ivo and the imposter syndrome the writers equip to the character’s portrayal and journey, and how throughout the trilogy his regression as a child seeking the attention of a parent begging for reassurance molds him into his video game counterpart, highlighted by a few surprises.
Of course, the film also carries the series in a different direction that, during my screening, left my audience speechless before initiating a cacophony of pure excitement. With all this noted and discussed, it should safely be stated that Paramount Pictures and Fowler are 100% committed to the future of the blue hedgehog, especially with the potential for where the adventures of Sonic can go, particularly with a fourth film already being greenlit and set for release in 2027 due to the fervent excitement and critical reception of the franchise surpassing the elusive and coveted 1 billion dollars at the box office threshold.
The final takeaway is that the film’s third act is impactful, full of emotion, and fires on all cylinders, well worth the price of admission. Don’t miss out, and until then, be on the lookout for “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” when it releases on digital and streaming on January 21.
About ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet.
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Director Jeff Fowler returns along with an all-star cast, including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog.
The story was written by Pat Casey & Josh Miller; they also penned the screenplay alongside John Whittington.
“Sonic The Hedgehog 3” is currently available in theaters.
