The much anticipated “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” arrived in theaters on Dec. 20, 2024, and many great names came with the project. Directed by Jeff Fowler, it is the third installment of the Sonic live-action film series.
Upon the film’s trailer premiere, many fans were excited to see a long-awaited character from the Sonic franchise appear on the big screen, Shadow the Hedgehog. Played by actor Keanu Reeves, the character of Shadow plays a significant part in this film due to his contrast against the main cast, embracing a much darker path fueled by revenge and anger.
Alongside Reeves, many important characters from the previous films return, including actors James Marsden and Tika Sumpter in their roles of Tom and Maddie Wachowski. Similarly, iconic actor Jim Carrey returned to portray the iconic Doctor Eggman and the newly introduced Gerald Robotnik.
Carrey’s return as such a beloved character excited fans to see the actors’ performance of such a comedic and brilliant character. However, when it was revealed that Carrey would also be playing the grandfather of Doctor Eggman, fans were intrigued to see how this casting decision would play out.
Ultimately, the chemistry between the two characters and the hilarious performance delivered by Carrey was a major highlight of the film. Though feeling a bit cheesy at times, the humorous film was largely successful, which I had not expected due to the film being aimed at a younger audience.
While much of the film focused on Ben Schwartz’s character, Sonic, Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s character, Tails and Idris Elba’s character, Knuckles, also held significant roles. The film’s heart was Sonic and Shadow’s dynamic contrast and interactions.
Plot-wise, this film delivered an excellent story that met fan expectations. The plot progressed consistently throughout the movie, efficiently exploring the dark moments of the otherwise lighthearted cinema, such as Shadow’s devastating backstory and Sonic being forced into the shoes of the ‘villain.’
Alongside the excellent story, the cinematics of this film are also delivered in a polished state, offering impressive visuals, especially given the main characters were computer-generated on top of scenes filmed in real life. An aspect of movies that often brings down their overall score for many is an overuse of CGI. Luckily, while this film did require CGI for many scenes involving non-human characters, it was executed well and was not overused to the point that it became overwhelming.
Overall, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” has a fantastic list of talented actors that help bring the film to greatness. This film was enjoyable to watch, especially as a fan of the older Sonic games. The well-thought-out plot, fantastic cinematography and varied soundtrack provide viewers with a great cinematic experience that I recommend watching.
