So, the film “Sonic 2” was based on the games “Sonic 2” and “Sonic 3,” but the movie “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is based on “Sonic Adventure 2. That doesn’t get confusing at all.
Regardless, the third movie installment picks up with Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) living peacefully with their adoptive guardians. What’s not so peaceful is what takes place at a GUN base where hacked systems cause the release of Shadow (Keanu Reeves).
Another hedgehog, Shadow is an immensely powerful being and proves it quick. Team Sonic is recruited to stop him and he makes quick work of the trio. Things get more dire when Shadow partners with Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who’s tied to the hedgehog through a past connection.
Like the second installment, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is loaded with material that will make plenty of fans (like me) happy. Whether it be slight references or full on recreations of sequences from the games, the filmmakers were dedicated to honoring the source material.
Also, like the second movie, they manage to do so while still putting together a coherent, accessible feature film. However, it’s not quite as tight narratively as part two was. This time around, the story at play is a bit more complex, to the film’s detriment.
The second picture was more straightforward, both in terms of the new characters’ background and the overall quest the heroes go on. This time around it’s all scaled up, which isn’t inherently bad. However, difficulties can arise when trying to tell a more serious, intricate type of tale while also having the commitment to being a family film.
The result in “Sonic 3” is a movie that’s not only a tad convoluted, but also has clashes in tone with exaggerated goofy moments adjacent to more somber sequences. With that said, the good news is the film is still largely a really enjoyable time. Similar to the first two, the movie is bursting with energy.
There’s plenty of action and humor to go around from start to finish. But more importantly, it’s all done with sincerity. There’s care put in to these characters and their emotions, making their actions meaningful. That’s true for the returning trio and the newcomer Shadow.
Carrey’s Robotnik, and the other character he plays in the film, Robotnik’s grandfather Gerald, are kind of hit and miss. The problem comes more with the latter, as Gerald has a rather tragic backstory and goes to some dark territory, but Carrey is playing him with a lot of humor and camp.
One wishes he could have given a more serious take on the mad scientist. Have him be more dignified, rather than an older mirror of Robotnik we get. Still, there are some key scenes where Carrey’s performances work.
Perhaps most important in “Sonic 3” is how well it delivers on the entertainment front. The final climactic sequence is phenomenal, and features probably the greatest needle drop in the history of video game-based movies. It’s an absolute gem that fans and non-fans alike can appreciate.
While the story isn’t as fine-tuned as the second film and it can feel a bit like a retread of its predecessor (a new rival arrives for Sonic and is manipulated by Robotnik), “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is still a movie that largely works. It’s a fun romp that treats its main characters right and provides audiences with a memorable adventure. 3.7 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 