They don’t award Oscars for most improved, but if they did, the Sonic film series would probably win. Following a pathetic first film and a passable second outing, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” defies the odds and is the most fun I have had seeing a film this year.
Fun is the operative word here. Sonic 3 is by no means one of the best films of the year, but it absolutely kept me entertained for the full run time. After doing the bare minimum necessary in terms of setup, its foot hits the gas and never looks back.
The action sequences are the highlight. Cinematic portrayals of superspeed are tricky and the first two films really struggled capturing just how fast these characters are moving. The first film looked like a straight to television Hallmark movie given a special effects budget. Years later and the third film’s action sequences are stunning. The characters’ bold colors ricochet off each other as they race through large extravagant set pieces. The opening chase through Tokyo sets a high bar that is impressively topped by the heart pounding climactic duel between Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog in his cinematic debut, here voiced by Keanu Reeves.
It would have seemed impossible that Shadow would not only be in a film but be so faithfully adapted 10 years ago. If, unfortunately, watered down a little. It is obvious throughout the entire runtime that director Jeff Fowler’s career started working on the cutscenes for the 2005 game “Shadow the Hedgehog.” Fowler has a palpable affection for the character that reminds me of why 12-year-old me fell in love with Shadow to begin with.
Sonic 3 is almost scientifically designed to target every last ounce of nostalgia. It is a cinematic love letter to the Sonic games released during the sixth generation of video game consoles. The cutscenes from “Shadow the Hedgehog” are recreated, Sonic and his friend perform the totem pole formation from “Sonic Heroes” and Sonic himself directly quotes “Sonic Adventure 2.” All of those are just in the opening minutes of the film.
The plot loosely adapts “Sonic Adventure 2.” After 50 years in government captivity, Shadow the Hedgehog awakens and escapes, seeking revenge on all of humanity for the death of his friend, Maria Robotnik. Team Sonic is enlisted by the government to stop the rampaging Shadow. After failing, Team Sonic forms an uneasy alliance with their rival, Dr. Eggman.
As an adaptation, the fanboy in me wants to complain about every single change made to the core story, but I will reluctantly acknowledge that a one-to-one adaptation would never work on film. Though, it is about as good an adaptation of the story as “Sonic X.”
Jim Carrey reprises his role as Dr. Eggman, but also pulls double duty as Eggman’s grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik. He earned his paycheck. The antics of the duel-Robotniks take up a great deal of screen time that begs for a viewer with an affection for classic Jim Carrey. I am not that viewer, but I can respect his craft.
Across the board, the performances are notably a step up from the second film, due to the way better material. James Marsden’s Tom Wachowski has developed a personality. Idris Elba sounds like he is having a blast voicing Knuckles the Echidna, compared to sounding like his career was flashing before his eyes in the prior film. Tika Sumpter is still good as Maddie Wachowski, but I will just have to continue to pray that she is given something to do in the next film.
The stand out is Ben Schwartz who is finally able to show his talent as a voice actor. Sonic was often insufferable to watch in prior films, but is now characterized far closer to how he is portrayed in the video games. Sonic is funny and witty, but when he gets angry you can feel the emotion Schwartz is bringing to the table.
I would be remiss to leave out Colleen O’Shaughnessey. Seeing as she has been voicing Tails the fox for a decade, it is amazing how seamlessly the character has been ported to the big screen.
On the other hand, Krysten Ritter’s talents are inexcusably wasted playing Director Rockwell, who isn’t so much a character but more a shameless plot device given a face, hands and feet. Utterly shameful, especially because Ritter would’ve been a perfect fit if they ever feel like introducing Rouge the Bat.
Good is thrown around so much it is hard to remember what the word actually means. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is an exemplary example of good. It never breaks through to being great, because it does not need to be. Which is after all what Sonic has always exceeded at, being good.
Word of advice: If you would prefer to watch this film without 20 year old men shouting and clapping everytime Shadow does something, see a matinee on a weekday without many people. I’ve been to screenings of “The Room” that are quieter.
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