Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are back and this time they’re up against a powerful force from the past.  His name is Shadow, a Hedgehog who has been imprisoned for over 50 years.  Now he’s escaped and wants revenge for a wrong that cannot be forgiven.  Against a foe capable of matching their combined might, Sonic and friends have to turn to their sworn enemy, Dr. Robotnik, for help on this one…and he’s not the only one playing their own dangerous game with Shadow.  But when the stakes get personal, how far and how fast will Sonic have to go to stop Shadow from destroying the world?

The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have a very personal place in my heart.  While that might influence how I look at them a little bit, there’s still no denying that the first two films are awesome and helped begin the break away from the dreaded Video Game Movie curse (still some duds there though, see this years Borderlands).  And with the promise of fan favorite Sonic frenemy Shadow the Hedgehog and even more Jim Carrey, Sonic 3 looks to continue that positive hype train.  But does it reach the same heights as its predecessors or is if going a bit too fast.
 
One of the main reasons why the Knuckles TV Miniseres from this past summer sucked was because it wasted it’s titular character and kept him away from why he works so well.  Sonic 3 is evidence of this because seeing Sonic, Tails and Knuckles back in action alongside their foster parents, Tom and Maddie, just feels so right.  Their chemistry together and in sub groupings is the beating heart of this live action franchise and you can feel the growth of characters in each scene.  Sure Sonic is still headstrong and quippy but he’s gotten wiser over the years.  Same for Knuckles, who’s still literal and all business but knows when to back off and remember the lessons taught to him about being part of a team and family.  These bonds are tested big time in the ridiculously good third act of the film that really pushes just how far Sonic is willing to go to stop the bad guys this time around. 
 
Then there’s Shadow, the one everyones been waiting for and not just because he’s being voiced by John Neo Wick himself, Keanu Reeves.  Shadow is very much the anti-Sonic of the film, a dark reflection that could even be one from an alternate reality where he didn’t have the same familial support Sonic has gotten over the years.  Shadow is moody, he’s angry and he’s got justification to be both.  It would have been easy for the screenwriter to just repeat what made Knuckles a huge win in Sonic 2 but thankfully they don’t go that route with Shadow.  And thanks to Keanu being well Keanu aka awesome, Shadow is played pretty straight forward and serious (save for one observation line that is one of the funniest in the film).  You do feel bad for what he’s lost, even if taking out his rage in a destructive matter isnt the best therapy.
 
Natrually, the humans are back too.  James Marsden and Tika Sumpter are still great as Tom and Maddie, the ever supportive and fun parents of Team Sonic (also being the offspring of an interracial marriage, its always nice to see such representation in films).  The film thankfully dials back the return of Maddie’s sister and her husband from Sonic 2, only having them pop up for one quick gag and that’s all (no stopping the movie for ten minutes for their wedding BS again.)  And, of course, there’s Jim Carrey, who pulls double duty as two demented Robotniks.  The visual effects department deserves cudos alongside Carrey for making twin versions appear on screen seem pretty seamless and Jim Carrey is more than game to “double the villains, double the fun.”  Buuuuut this might be against the grain but I feel like the movie does give a bit too much time to Robotnik and his Grandpa.  The energy is there but the gags go on a little too long and it’s screentime I feel could have been better spent with Shadow instead.  Also, Kristen Ritter is here in a throwaway role as a GUN agent who’s beef with Sonic doesn’t really go anywhere and feels like a bad retread of a plot line from the Knuckles Miniseries (Jessica Jones deserves better guys, come on).
 
Like I said earlier, the action is still…well fast, and fun but the third act WOW.  For all of me thinking they couldn’t try to outdo the scale and awesomeness of the Sonic 2 finale, Sonic 3 is where the movie goes from good to really freaking great.  Sonic and Knuckles’ throwdown is still my favorite in the series but Sonic and Shadow taking their fight to the world itself is a nice way to step things up a notch.  And yes, Knuckles does get to ride a motorcycle, brandish his gun and even make an Akira bike slide.  Why do you ask?  No reason, ITS JUST SO FREAKING COOOOOOOL!!!  The films have gotten better leaning more into the alien on alien fight scenes rather than having Sonic on the run from humans and Sonic 3 has some of the best action to date, especially since things get pretty personal at various points.
 
While I don’t think it hits quite the same highs as Sonic 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a more than worthy continuation of one of the best Live Action Video Game Adaptations ever.  The cast is still solid (even if some are either overutilized or underserved).  The action takes the scale to a whole other level.  And the climax, wow somehow these movies seem to keep toping themselves in scope and imagination.  We’ve come a long way from the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie and the Blue Blur is only getting better, and faster, on the big screen.  Bring on Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
 
8/10