Review: Sonic The Hedgehog 3
New Adventure. New Rival.
INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film Sonic The Hedgehog 3. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.
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THE PLOT
Via Letterboxd: 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.
QUICK REVIEW
It feels like ages ago that the first trailer for Sonic The Hedgehog dropped back in 2019. The initial design of Sonic (dubbed “Ugly Sonic”) was met with such widespread backlash that the film’s release date was pushed to early 2020 to allow for a redesign more faithful to the video game character.
Conspiracy theories about the drama aside, the redesign turned out to be a wise decision. The film earned mixed-to-positive reviews, strong audience scores, and became one of the biggest box office hits of the pandemic era. Two years later, the sequel built on that success, earning slightly better reviews, higher audience scores, and an even larger box office haul.
My relationship with these movies has been a bit complex. My best friend is one of the biggest Sonic collectors in the world and has been an ardent supporter of the films, much like I am with Godzilla movies. The first Sonic film took time to grow on me; the road trip aspect initially made it feel middling, but over time I’ve come to see it as a decent little family-friendly popcorn flick. The sequel resonated with me much more quickly, as it felt like a proper video game adaptation with a killer finale.
By now, you’ve probably seen that the reviews for this third installment are the strongest the franchise has ever received. Much of the praise revolves around Shadow the Hedgehog, particularly the subplot centered on his backstory with the child Maria. This emotional arc forms the heart of the film and is its greatest strength. Shadow’s internal struggle, balancing revenge and hope in the wake of grief, grounds the movie even amid its many goofy moments. Keanu Reeves’ voice acting deserves special mention for helping audiences fully connect with Shadow’s journey.
Of course, no discussion of these films would be complete without highlighting Jim Carrey. His performance here is his most ambitious yet, as he plays two roles (with the film even poking fun at this via a clever fourth-wall joke). One of these roles features some remarkably impressive makeup work that adds depth to the character. Carrey does deliver, making me buy in each character he plays as their own individual.
The comedy in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a mixed bag, mostly hits but with a fair share of misses. There are more childish-level jokes than in the previous films, but there are also plenty of moments that elicited genuine laughs from me, including clever pop culture references and adult-oriented humor. However, some of these jokes may lose their impact over time with future audiences as cultural references fade.
The final act is where the movie truly shines as a big-budget, family-friendly blockbuster. While I felt the second film had a slightly stronger climax, this installment still delivers an exciting finale packed with fan service, which drew cheers from the audience I watched it with.
In summary, if you’ve enjoyed the previous Sonic The Hedgehog films, you’ll know what to expect from this one. The humor occasionally panders to younger viewers, but Jim Carrey’s performance, stellar voice acting, and thrilling action sequences elevate the film. What sets this third entry apart is its emotional depth, thanks to Shadow’s compelling character arc. Overall, I’d give Sonic The Hedgehog 3 a solid B+. It’s not gonna’ end up one of my favorite films of the year, but it comes close enough thanks to being a very fun time at the movies.
INITIAL GRADING
