SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3: Unbelievably Epic Threequel

By Harrison J. Bahe

Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.

The thing about these Sonic movies is that they shouldn’t be this good. Like, I’m actually baffled at how good these films actually are. They have no right being this good and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an unbelievably epic threequel that is somehow better than the previous two entries! I remember a time when everyone on the internet was so shocked beyond belief about the design of Sonic. So much so that their negative reaction instigated a movement to change the design of Sonic to a far more video game accurate design. That feels so long ago now. Nobody is laughing now because now everyone is cheering their favorite video game character and his silly, chili dog eating, fast moving antics.

There is just something that works with these films probably because it takes the source material seriously in such an over-the-top way. Like, I’m still baffled at how well these movies work. They seamlessly juggle goofy antics, epic action, and heartfelt emotion so flawlessly. Not since Avengers – Endgame have I heard such uproarious reactions to a movie. Now, I’m not too well versed in the Sonic video games knowing very little of side characters so, when some big cameos (especially in the mid credits sequence) appeared, I wasn’t sure who they were but the core audience did and their cheers of excitement got me all giddy. That just shows how much passion and love went into the making of these films. These are films clearly made for gamers and the curse of the video game to movie adaptations has been proven wrong three times in a row with this Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy.

The introduction of Shadow voiced by Keanu Reeves was exhilarating. He’s the exact opposite of Sonic and is actually portrayed as quite a believable tragic character who is driven by white hot revenge. His character arc and epic displays of awesome power are breathtaking. Jim Carrey of course steals the show again with his portrayal of not one but two villains: Dr. Ivo Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik. Despite knowing the fact that Jim Carrey did this movie for the money, he certainly didn’t skimp on the performance output. He’s giving it his all creating two distinct yet equally wily villains who steal every scene they’re in. As much as Sonic makes these movies work, they’re nothing without Jim Carrey’s villainous portrayal of Dr. Robotnik.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is such a fun film to watch. Seriously, it’s just an all around fun movie to experience with the largest audience of hardcore fans you can find. This trilogy of movies about a super fast chili dog eating blue hedgehog, his red blunderous punching echidna, and his duo tailed flying fox has no right to be this good! It dazzles with its action, entertains with its goofy comedy, pulls at those heartstrings with drama, and completely delivers on what it promises, which is why I give Sonic the Hedgehog 3—

4.5 Rings out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is Rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor, thematic elements and mild language. It is currently playing in theaters nationwide.