I liked Sonic The Hedgehog 3. With the exorcism of Ugly Sonic, SEGA created a surprisingly heartfelt series of kids movies that both reinterpret the iconic blue mascot in a fun way while also showing a lot of reverence for its source material.
In summary, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is just an expansion of this approach to the movie franchise. Introducing Keanu Reeves as Sonic’s edgy rival Shadow The Hedgehog in a surprisingly heartfelt take on a storyline more people remember for its association with cheering on a child getting shot.
Seriously, It’s Just Fun
Now, the biggest problem with your typical blockbuster franchise movie is always the formula. It’s why I’ve by-and-large skipped most of the MCU- it exists for pedantic nerds who just need to see their checklists hit of phrases, scenes and teasers for the future. That’s not to say that Sonic 3 isn’t just as nobly hitting its franchise obligations- but the important thing is that the movie itself exudes fun.
From the double-dose of Jim Carrey to whatever the comedic equivalent of chewing scenery is, there’s a lot of moments in the film that feel like they appreciate the amount of talent working on the movie. It feels like the best part of early 2000s superhero movies- a desire to make sure you’re never not seeing something interesting. Ben Schwartz’ Sonic is still very much a zoomer teen riding an ego high, and he’s playing it well.
Keanu’s Shadow is equally enthralling- just like how movie Sonic is younger and more child-like, The Ultimate Lifeform has a raw earnestness to him. He’s just as lost as Sonic is in the events of the movie, he’s just handling it in a significantly less healthy way.
And yet, the portrayal still makes sure to encapsulate why Shadow is such a beloved character anyways. There’s no time spent justifying why he’s so cool- he just is. While the first Sonic movie reminds you that his behavior is a product of consuming earth culture in hiding, Shadow’s just that good at what he does. From the Akira sliding to the Dragon Ball-level teleport combos to even the way he skates instead of running, not a quill in Shadow’s appearance is out of place.
Understanding The Core Of Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Ultimately, it works so well because it plays into the story’s core emotional beats. It’s a story about family, and doing right by the people around you. Sure, it’s not breaking new ground, but it’s also well-made. By the end of the movie, everyone’s got something to say about family, bonds and superpowered hedgehogs. In a way, you can say they’ve lived and learned.
I’m really glad that Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is as good as it is- given the fan popularity of Shadow and the storylines the film draws on I’d gone in fearing that this was just going to be reading off the Wikipedia summary of Sonic Adventure 2.
Instead, what I got was the kind of all-ages romp with a touching message at its spiky core that looks as much fun to make as it was to watch. As impressive as two CGI hedgehogs duking it out and destroying the Earth in the process is it’s just as engaging when it’s two CGI Hedgehogs talking about their feelings and families. Absolutely give this one a watch.
Final Score: 9/10
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in cinemas 26th December, screening courtesy of UIP Malaysia and GSC.
