Sonic the Hedgehog 3 speeds into theaters at just the right time! This Holiday season has plenty of adult films to offer but very few for the kiddoes. Luckily this one is kid approved and family friendly with enough smart humor to make up for the over the top Jim Carrey moments.
Synopsis: Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba), and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow (Keanu Reeves), a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance.
This franchise has done well with two impressive films before this one. Each prior film built on the the one before adding Knuckles and Tails to Team Sonic. This one adds another alien visitor in the form of Shadow. A hedgehog who strikes a very similar look to Sonic, but we discover has been here a lot longer. Fifty years ago the government – as the always do – tried to harness Shadows power. When the failed they kept him on ice, or in this case liquid, this whole time. But now he is awake with nothing but revenge on his mind.
There is a lot in this 3rd story about the importance of family. Though they never say it you get the feeling that family is more bond over blood. And rightly so. Sonic is still learning to be a team player but luckily has the family down pat. The movie starts and we see them all getting along well together. This bond is important when they are soon called into action.
Shadow has not been the only one tucked away the last fifty years. Another evil genius emerges which adds to the fate of planet earth. Of course you can’t have a Sonic movie without Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) getting into the fray. We find him this time looking a lot like Thor in Avengers: Endgame. If you have’t seen it. He is not in good shape at all. But when there is evil brewing he is always quick to bounce back. Also returning in this one – if just for a minute or two – are several faces from the second film. For better or worse.
This is a PG film and so much of the humor is trained toward your young movie goers. And for that I applaud it. Not everything has to be full of teenage and adult humor. There are several lines from Sonic that will hit with adults and you will laugh out loud. The most cringe worthy moments for ayone over eight will be the antics and character of Robotnik. If he annoyed you in the other films he will super annoy you in this one.
As mentioned there are some returning characters, but they are there I guess for nostalgia. The moments feel forced and poorly written. But thankfully they are brief. The rest of the story has a lot of commendable moments. Plenty of action, humor, and beautifully blended effects. You will forget that Sonic and friends aren’t real or a suited up person.
Shadow is voiced by Keanu Reeves which was smart casting. Shadow is focused, determined, and set on revenge. Sound like anyone you know? At the same time you don’t just hear Keanu. You can engage with Shadow without picturing Reeves, which is so important with voice work.
There is no doubt that this franchise will keep speeding along. This is the 3rd film and it shows no signs of slowing. All three films are a hit with fans, and gamers alike. This one could be the best so far. Robotnik just needs to cut the pill in half next time.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor, thematic elements and mild language. Fast fun for the whole family this Holiday season. Oh, and stay through the credits for even more to jump and shout about.
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