Game – Movie Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Do you remember that trailer? That god-awful Sonic the Hedgehog reveal trailer from 2019? The one that caused such a backlash that it saw the entire character redesigned? Doesn’t that feel like such a long time ago now? Especially as we’re now three films deep, and not only is the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise wildly successful, but they’re actually good films.

I think so, anyway. Not great films, as each has its flaws and that’s no different with this third entry, but enjoyable family-friendly action-comedy romps with plenty of video game nods. There’s nothing complex, nothing to analysis, and nothing to get outraged about. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an entertaining watch, but that doesn’t mean it completely lacks depth.

Directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, the film stars Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Keanu Reeves, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Idris Elba. All are reprising their roles expect Reeves, who steps into the sneakers of Shadow the Hedgehog. Yes, this third film is an adaption of the two video games: Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog.

Shadow has been in suspended animation at a top-secret G.U.N. facility for many years, but someone hacks into the system, freeing him. Angry and vengeful (he has a tragic backstory), he goes on a rampage in Tokyo and Team Sonic (Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles) are called in, but are easily defeated.

Who freed Shadow? It must be Dr. Ivo Robotnik, of course. Except he has fallen into a deep depression and his second in command, Agent Stone, proves he isn’t to blame. However, whoever did free Shadow is using Eggman’s tech and that is enough for Ivo to want to track down the mysterious person. The two sides agree to team up and infiltrate an abandoned G.U.N. base that Shadow was held at once before. There, the truth is revealed. Shadow was released by Gerald Robotnik, Ivo Robotnik’s estranged grandfather.

The older man is working with Shadow to take control of a super-weapon orbiting Earth called the Eclipse Cannon, and with it, they can take revenge on those who hurt the ones they loved. Whereas, having never had a family before, Ivo is more than happy to go along with his grandfather’s plan, even though he may be being deceived too.

Can Team Sonic put a stop to Shadow and the Robotniks’ evil plan? Will Shadow learn how to forgive? Will anyone care about the human characters in this film?

The answer to the last question is a resounding no, and while James Marsden’s Tom and Tika Sumpter’s Maddie are harmless, their reduced roles here are welcome. Evident by the extremely laboured London infiltration scene that thinks it’s far funnier than it actually is. Although I would take hours of scenes with them in it, if I never have to get another scene with Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) ever again. Mercifully, he’s in one brief scene and then never seen again in the film. If you’re wondering what my problem is with the character, go read my review of the Knuckles TV show here.

The humans have become less and less important to this film franchise, as even Robotnik has become more cartoon like as the films have developed. Once again, Jim Carrey steals the show, but here he gets to do it twice. Playing the elderly Gerald and having great chemistry with himself. There’s good comedy and some touching moments, with just the odd awkward scene, such as the ‘laser dance’.

He continues to be the best thing about the franchise though, although Shadow the Hedgehog gives him a good run for his money. The character is great in the games, his layers of emotional depth standing out amongst a group of sunny and peppy characters, and that is recognised here and embodied brilliantly by Keanu Reeves (even if he is doing his John Wick thing).

Shadow dark story plays off Sonic’s light story well in this film, and the intertwinement of familial drama makes them both more relatable. Inevitably, the others have to take a backseat to this, but it’s fine as it ensures Shadow (in particular) never feels undeveloped. In fact, for being CGI, he’s one of the realest characters in the film. That’s testament to the writing, voice acting, and animators, who have worked hard to make this film look spectacular. It’s the most elaborate one, and some of the sequences are breath-taking.

All of which should combine to make this the best of the series yet, but alas, while all of this is great, there’s a ton of padding and (once again), it just feels too long. The entire London section could be cut from the film, for example, and you wouldn’t really miss anything. There, we get so many dragged out scenes and comedy moments that fall flat (such as the gravity room). It’s one of the film’s more obvious moments of filler, but there are more.

Still, flaws aside, Sonic the Hedgehog is another entertaining entry in the franchise. Three successful and enjoyable films, who would have thought it?