Review of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024).

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) continues the trend of going one step further with the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog to the big screen. Roughly adapt elements from the games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the hedgehog (2005), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 does a good job of bringing Sonic’s most iconic counterpart to the big screen.

Begins shortly after the events ankle The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 TV series wastes no time getting the ball rolling. The film begins with the titular hedgehog preparing for a race with his furry friends during a camping trip, which is predictably interrupted by Eggman holograms.

“…Sonic the Hedgehog 3 wastes no time getting the ball rolling.”

However, it quickly becomes apparent that Eggman (Jim Carrey) is not behind the trick, prompting Sonic and the gang to investigate further. Meanwhile, on Prison Island – a location featured in Sonic Adventure 2 which now serves as Tokyo – Shadow the Hedgehog (voiced by Keanu Reeves) awakens and makes his inevitable escape. This prompts GUN to ask Sonic and his friends to help him capture him.

Unlike the events of Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has Sonic working with GUN instead of confusing him with the black hedgehog and pitting him against the military. This change honestly works better and makes the premise more believable since Sonic looks almost nothing like Shadow, aside from the fact that he also happens to be an anthropomorphic hedgehog.

Finally realizing that they are no match for the new and mysterious hedgehog, Sonic and his friends form a temporary truce with Eggman. Together they explore an abandoned GUN base and meet Shadow and Gerald Robotnik, Eggman’s grandfather, also played by Jim Carrey.

Unlike his role in the game, Gerald Robotnik has a much more significant on-screen presence Sonic the Hedgehog 3which transforms him from an interesting but enigmatic background character into a full-fledged villain – albeit a reduced gag character for children.

Of course, the runaway star of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is none other than Shadow, portrayed by the legendary Keanu Reeves. Reeves is no stranger to video games and does an excellent job of bringing the brooding and dark hedgehog to life (although a few more “damns” would have been nice).

Like the games, Shadow serves as a strong counterpoint to Sonic’s carefree attitude, which is exacerbated by his lack of family and the trauma associated with his past (which I don’t want to reveal to newcomers). This contrast fits well with the film’s recurring theme: friendship and building a family.

Admittedly, some of the good children’s films can sometimes seem a bit heavy-handed and make-believe Sonic the Hedgehog 3 I feel overly saccharine, even for a film aimed at a younger audience. Fortunately, solid action sequences, particularly the final two set pieces, offset the excessive sentimentality with scenes that long-time Sonic fans will appreciate.

“The Runaway Star of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is none other than Shadow, portrayed by the legendary Keanu Reeves.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is essentially a children’s film, but one that expertly taps into the large and passionate fanbase that Sonic has built over the years. The film contains numerous references and subtle allusions to the beloved adventure games, making it a treat for long-time fans. It also offers some well-executed surprises, including cleverly designed MCU-style post-credit scenes that hint at exciting developments in future installments of the franchise.

If I had to nitpick, there are a few instances of shoddy CGI, or at least awkward green screen effects, where the live-action actors stand out noticeably from the background. Additionally, the character of director Rockwell, portrayed by Krysten Ritter, feels like a missed opportunity as she functions primarily as an ambiguous force throughout Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s term.

In total, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ticks all the right boxes to satisfy fans of the series while keeping the story and themes light enough for a younger audience. As a family-friendly film, it strikes a balance that retains enough coolness to appeal to older viewers.