Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) continues the trend of cranking things up a notch with the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog onto the silver screen. Roughly adapting elements from the games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 does a good job of introducing Sonic’s most iconic foil to the big screen.
Picking up shortly after the events of the Knuckles TV series, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 doesn’t waste any time getting the ball rolling. The movie opens with the titular hedgehog preparing to race his furry friends during a camping trip, which is predictably interrupted by Eggman holograms.
“…Sonic the Hedgehog 3 doesn’t waste any time getting the ball rolling.”
In a twist, however, it is quickly revealed that Eggman (Jim Carrey) is not behind the trick, prompting Sonic and the gang to investigate further. Meanwhile, on Prison Island—a location featured in Sonic Adventure 2 that now serves as Tokyo—Shadow the Hedgehog (voiced by Keanu Reeves) awakens and makes his inevitable escape. This prompts G.U.N. to enlist Sonic and his friends to help capture him.
Unlike the events of Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has Sonic team up with G.U.N. instead of having him be mistaken for the black hedgehog, pitting him against the military. This change-up honestly works better and makes the premise more believable as Sonic looks almost nothing like Shadow, outside of happening also to be an anthropomorphic hedgehog.
Eventually, after Sonic and his friends realize they are no match for the new and mysterious hedgehog, they call a temporary truce with Eggman. Together, they explore an abandoned G.U.N. base, only to encounter both Shadow and Gerald Robotnik, Eggman’s grandfather, also portrayed by Jim Carrey.
Unlike his role in the game, Gerald Robotnik has a much more significant on-screen presence in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, transforming him from an interesting but enigmatic background character into a full-fledged villain—albeit one reduced to a gag character aimed at children.
Of course, the runaway star of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is none other than Shadow, portrayed by the legendary Keanu Reeves. No stranger to video games, Reeves does an excellent job of bringing the brooding and dark hedgehog to life (although a few more “damns” would have been nice).
Like the games, Shadow serves as a strong foil to Sonic’s happy-go-lucky attitude, further emphasized by his lack of family and the trauma tied to his past (which I won’t spoil for newcomers). This contrast ties in well with the film’s recurring theme of friendship and found family.
Admittedly, some of the good kids’ movie values come across as heavy-handed at times, making Sonic the Hedgehog 3 feel overly saccharine, even for a film aimed at younger audiences. Thankfully, solid action sequences, particularly the final two set pieces, compensate for any excessive sentimentality with scenes that longtime Sonic fans will appreciate.
“The runaway star of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is none other than Shadow, portrayed by the legendary Keanu Reeves.”
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is fundamentally a children’s movie, yet it skillfully caters to the extensive and passionate fan base Sonic has garnered over the years. The film includes numerous references and subtle nods to the beloved Adventure games, making it a treat for longtime fans. Additionally, it features some well-executed surprises, including cleverly crafted MCU-style post-credit scenes that hint at exciting developments in future instalments of the franchise.
If I had to nitpick, there are a few instances of subpar CGI or, at the very least, awkward green-screen effects, where the live-action actors noticeably stand out from the background. Additionally, the character Director Rockwell, portrayed by Krysten Ritter, feels like a missed opportunity, as she primarily serves as an ambiguous force throughout Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s runtime.
All in all, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ticks all the boxes necessary to satisfy fans of the series while keeping the lore and themes light enough for younger audiences. It strikes a balance as a family-friendly movie that retains enough of its cool edge to appeal to older viewers.
