Sonic 3: Le film

You can tell the people who made this movie care. They care about creating something true to the source material. They care about the fans and their enjoyment. They care about just making a good movie.

This third chapter in the series is a blast. We see continued escalation and expansion while balancing so many characters and story points. It could have easily been a jumbled mess, but it's so smooth.

Two things that jumped a level from previous entries: the action and the visuals. There are several beastly action scenes that had me grinning ear to ear. And so many shots are visually mesmerizing, even borderline trippy. And sometimes these two things overlap... like I said before, they care.

Jim Carrey is the GOAT. This is the third time I've written that in a Sonic review. With his ridiculously deep filmography, I never thought I'd say Dr. Robotnik is one of his best roles ever.

As long as they keep putting this much care into making these movies, I will watch as many as they want to make. Every other prospective video game adaptation needs to take notes.

(1 viewing, opening Thursday UltraScreen 12/19/2024)

Let's be honest: You're seeing "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" because you're either a fan of the gaming franchise or the two films that came before it. I'm a fan of the latter, although they are not perfect. I knew, didn't think, but knew that this third installment would beat them both, and I was right.

Beginning with Keanu Reeves, breathtaking is putting it mildly. His performance and the overall character of Shadow the Hedgehog, coming from a guy who has never played the games, was jaw-dropping. Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles are great villains in the prior two installments. Shadow surpasses them by having an origin story that, while familiar to veteran players of the games, is more tragic than any of the other characters in the franchise, Sonic included. I'm a huge fan of Reeves; what more is there to say?

Even though Shadow steals the show, the returning characters are still strong. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are just as funny and charming as their appearances in the previous two entries, helped by Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Idris Elba's energetic performances. What surprised me the most was how they put all three in a shocking internal conflict, one which I refuse to spoil in any fashion. You need to see it for yourself!

I can't forget Jim Carrey as the two Robotniks. First of all, he came out of potential retirement for this. This review is written by a tremendous Carrey admirer, making it a big deal to me when they announced that he would reprise his role as Dr. Robotnik in this trilogy-capper. Of course, he recently said he returned because he needed the money, which is understandable, but this was no cash-grab role for Carrey. He brings some next-level comedic energy when playing both Ivo and Gerald Robotnik. Every time he's in a movie, he always makes me, and millions more, smile and laugh, and here is no different. Power-rest with pride and dignity, Carrey. Your work will continue to inspire generations to come.

I want to take a break to discuss the experience instead of the movie's contents. I saw it at a Dolby Fan Event, my second time with the format since "Wicked." Dolby enhanced both films for me, so be sure to see it that way. The theater I was in did something unexpected: skipped coming attractions. AMC usually allows audiences twenty minutes to go to the restroom or get popcorn by playing trailers for future releases, but not here. I feel bad for the people who came in late under the impression that it wouldn't start right when they arrived. Additionally, I reserve that time to go to the restroom quickly. However, the film began immediately, and I only focused on the movie rather than anything else, a testament to how excited I was and how extraordinary the following presentation was.

I'll resume talking about the movie itself now. The action was some of the best I've seen all year. The other Sonic films, admittedly, had incredible action, but this cranked the volume up to 11! If we're only covering action, you bet it's super fun!

What else makes the movie remarkably powerful is it's hilarious, the story outside of Shadow is compelling, the CGI remains beautiful, and the people in my theater were freaking out at the mid and post-credit scenes. Make sure to stay for that, Sonic fan or not!

If I were to give any semi-negatives, the comedy simultaneously surpasses and is consistent with the other two films. It's consistent in how it's sometimes juvenile to its detriment. I also found Krysten Ritter's Director Rockwell to be weak, but here's what's truly remarkable: I don't care. In a year in which I've perhaps become more of a critic than a film fan despite my personal beliefs that I haven't, I deserve and need to overlook the flaws because the rest of the film is unbelievably phenomenal!

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" blew my mind, and I didn't expect it to. I went in with high expectations, yet still accepted the possibility that it can't be as wonderful as the hype warrants. I was wrong.

Technically, the voice acting and performances from the humans (awkward way of saying it, apologies), the CGI, the well-used runtime, and the impactful narrative make the technical score a 9/10. Said 9 is because of some issues relating to the screenplay.

For the enjoyment score, I loved it! It's easily the best of the trilogy and one of the year's best films. I'm writing this before I watch the second film in the hopeful next Barbenheimer post-Glicked: "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" and "Mufasa: The Lion King." Mufasa has no chance! My problems with some dialogue and Rockwell can't prevent the enjoyment score from being a 10/10. The flaws are not enough to hurt the experience, and I'm happy I can ignore them. This experience is a must-watch for any Sonic fan and enjoyer of the preceding two films, and I'm thrilled to see what this franchise offers next!

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is easily the best of the trilogy.

Best writing, best characterisation, great humour and Keanu Reeves was absolute CLASS as Shadow.

This movie differs from the first 2, most evidently being in the tone of the movie, this movie is a soul adaptation of Sonic Adventure 2 and they handled it better than I would've ever thought.

Shadow's past is portrayed hauntingly beautiful, not to mention his immaculate CGI model, I was so impressed by how he looked.

Jim Carrey was humorous as usual, an absolute treat to have in our franchise, he was hilariously amazing as both Ivo & Gerald.

Ben Schwartz, Colleen & Idris all shined more than ever.

As a huge Sonic fan, this movie passed my expectations, what a feeling to be a Sonic fan!

This movie goes down as a rich part of Sonics history.

9/10.

Easily the best one, which coincidentally contains the majority of actual Sonic moments in this entire trilogy. Keanu Reeves absolutely steals the show as Shadow, he portrays the ruthlessness and immense emotional pain of his character incredibly well. Also Jim Carrey pulls off acting as the dual Dr Robotniks with incredible comedic timing, especially with each himself, as it really feels like these are two separate characters.

The human subplots are as mediocre as usual but are infinitely more tolerable here as they tie into the main story much more naturally. Also, while they do adapt the Sonic Adventure 2 storyline as best as they could in the universe they've established, I feel like they could have gone deeper in exploring the bond between Shadow and Maria.

GenX reporting in. Just got back from the first screening at our AMC with my 12 year old. We both agreed that this was the best sonic film, the closest to the games, with great action scenes, a ton of laughing... Jim Carey nails this once again, but even funnier with two of him on screen! A fantastic soundtrack including one of my all time favorite bands, The Travelling Wilburys! Fantastic visual effects that are very 3D in the 2D format. The perfect run time, isn't too short, and just as soon as you get tired it wraps up. Stay past the beginning credits for a scene that hints at part 4, which satisfied all the kids around us. We walked out smiling, this one had it all! Well done and recommended.