As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I have seen my fair share of video game adaptations, some good and some bad. But Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has managed to surpass all expectations and catapult itself into the realm of greatness.
It appears as though it was only recently when the internet was abuzz about Sonic’s uncanny human-like teeth. Wisely, director Jeff Fowler decided to revamp the speedy blue hedgehog in 2019, a move that has proved successful as he now boasts an impressive franchise. The upcoming film Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the latest installment in this movie series inspired by Sega video games. Once more, Ben Schwartz lends his voice to Sonic, joining forces with Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessy) to combat a formidable hedgehog named Shadow (Keanu Reeves).
As a die-hard Sonic fan, I’ve got to say that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 surpasses all expectations and sets a new bar for the series. While the first movie was a fun buddy road trip, the second one had Sonic forming a team against Dr. Robotnik. The sequel upped the ante with more action and iconic Sonic settings. However, this third installment outshines them both. It keeps the superpowers and thrilling action scenes we adore, but trims down some unnecessary elements, making it an even more enjoyable ride for us fans.
From the beginning, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 moves at a delightful pace. We have a new villain, Shadow, a hedgehog with a tragic past. Shadow is voiced perfectly by Keanu Reeves, the “national treasure” Sonic watched on TV in the first film. This movie also comes fully equipped with a reference to Speed (1994). Reeves is known for being one of the most likable people in Hollywood, which makes it so fun to see him play against type as a baddie. He’s excellent here, and Shadow is a well-rounded character. The opening scene shows how powerful he is, as does a gorgeously filmed action sequence in Tokyo where he takes on Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles.
As each installment of the series unfolds, Fowler appears more assured in his directorial role. His visuals are impressive, almost making it seem like real people are interacting with computer-generated creatures. The characters possess such depth and complement the human actors so seamlessly. While the second movie leaned a bit too heavily on humans, Sonic 3 smartly reduces their presence. Characters Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter), who were key figures in the first two movies, are mostly missing from the initial and final acts of this film.
Our focus is on Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, and perhaps the secret ingredient that has made this franchise work: Dr. Robotnik, played by the legendary Jim Carrey. I could talk about Carrey for hours. It’s incredible to see Carrey step out of retirement to give a classic over-the-top performance just like he would in the ’90s. One thing you can say about Carrey is that he does not phone it in, no matter the paycheck. Here, he has a dual role: he plays Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik, sporting a belly that rivals Thor’s in Avengers: Endgame, and he plays his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik.
In this scenario, Jim Carrey shines brightly, demonstrating exceptional comedic talent. It’s reminiscent of classic comedy skits where veteran comedians use makeup to portray various characters in a film. Everything he delivers is priceless, and his physical humor is outstanding, making viewers emotionally invested in his storyline. Idris Elba also brings laugh-out-loud moments as Knuckles, a character who seems somewhat detached from modern speech and behavior patterns. Interestingly, the film’s least amusing jokes originate from our main protagonist. Both Carrey and Elba’s characters are side-splittingly funny, but Sonic often relies on pop culture references, much like in the previous two installments. Using movie references can be amusing in casual discussions, but they sometimes fall flat when incorporated into film dialogue.
From the get-go, the risks are significantly greater for the trio as they face an overwhelming amount of peril, struggling to stay alive. The movie’s second act takes a turn reminiscent of a heist flick. It’s astonishing to observe how this series has evolved from its initial film, which was primarily focused on setting the stage in hindsight. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 offers an engaging viewing experience, whether it delves into Shadow’s background to garner empathy or showcases the sheer fun of having two Jim Carrey performances.
As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly ominous, taking the main character on an unpredictable journey. Each principal character reaches their peak performance in this film. Although human characters take a backseat somewhat, the development of Sonic and Shadow’s bond makes watching worthwhile. The movie seems tailored for fans, evident in its numerous references to Sonic media and careful attention to detail drawn from its origin. The climactic peril surpasses anything seen in the first two films, and I can’t overlook how poignant many parts of it are.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is one of the best video game movies ever made, and it works exceptionally.
SCORE: 8/10
According to the review guidelines on ComingSoon, a rating of 8 is equivalent to “Excellent.” Although there are some small flaws, this score indicates that the artwork accomplishes its objective effectively and leaves a lasting impression.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review.
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2024-12-18 17:13