For longtime fans of the games, the Sonic films strike a perfect balance between originality and nostalgia, upholding cinematic appeal whilst maintaining a dedicated faithfulness to the games. The first movie served as a relatively safe introduction, making the series accessible to all – even those unfamiliar with the games – while still satisfying dedicated fans. The franchise has continued to introduce Sonic and his friends at a pace that both fans and newcomers can appreciate, preserving the iconic essence of the Sonic brand whilst not overwhelming new viewers with its extensive history. With each new instalment, the films continue to improve, offering an increasingly enjoyable experience for all audiences.
The newest addition to the franchise offers a thrilling and fun adventure that builds on the stakes of its predecessors, taking their carefully paced narratives and expanding on them significantly. With higher stakes, more complex characters, and even more exhilarating action, the film delivers an exciting experience all while staying true to the games. The plot is largely based on Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), packed with countless easter eggs that fans will be excited to spot, including references to Green Hill, the chao, and iconic lines from the series (“Talk about low budget flights, no food or movies… I’m outta here!”).
As well as the titular Sonic the Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz), the film includes returning characters such as Miles ‘Tails’ Prower (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba). After the well-established introductions of all three characters in the previous films, watching the trio interact feels immensely satisfying as their distinct personalities play off of each other seamlessly, with their wholesome and compelling dynamic serving as one of the film’s highlights.
The standout performance of the film, however, comes from Jim Carey as Ivo Robotnik. Carey fully embraces the eccentric nature of character, unapologetically committing to his role with flawless comedic timing, hilarious meta references, and excellent chemistry with every character he interacts with, even himself (yes, himself!). Whilst the film itself is strong in its own right, his performance undoubtedly underscores the entire narrative, bringing that whimsy and charm that only Carey himself can provide.
Most notably, the film introduces Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) as the main antagonist, Sonic’s long-lasting rival since 2001. The addition of Shadow adds a surprisingly dark edge to the typically upbeat tone audiences have come to expect from the series. His tragic backstory adds a level of emotional complexity not yet seen in the Sonic movies, fuelling Shadow’s motivations and establishing him as a tragic parallel of Sonic. This deeper and darker narrative thread adds to the profundity of the film, making Shadow not just a formidable rival to Sonic but also a compelling character in himself. Yet, despite the depth that the addition of Shadow brings, it is evident that, like its predecessors, the movie remains targeted towards a younger demographic, with humour that occasionally misses the mark for older viewers as well as a tendency toward overly simplistic storytelling.
Whilst the movie can lean too heavily into its child-friendly appeal, sacrificing the depth of the plot for the sake of accessibility, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 nevertheless cements the Sonic films as an iconic franchise that all audiences can enjoy. The mid and end-credit scenes signify an equally promising future for the series, teasing exciting new directions for the narrative. It’s certainly a far cry from the infamous ‘ugly Sonic’ that fans were shown back in 2019, firmly establishing the Sonic movies as one of the best videogame movie adaptations of all time.
