Our favorite speedster is back for the third installment of the growing Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The first two films grossed over $700 million and were met with critical and audience praise. However, can the creators strike gold for a third time? I review the movie and share my thoughts on whether or not you should check it out on the big screen.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails, who reunite against a new adversary, Shadow. With their abilities outmatched, the trio must seek help from an unlikely foe. The film sees the return of James Marsden, Jim Carrey, and Ben Schwartz, and the debut of Keanu Reeves as Shadow.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Review
As an avid fan of the game, I was excited they continued adding more game characters to the movies. That said, everything that the first two films delivered was lost in the sauce in the third installment. They were filled with elements of heart but leaned heavier into the comedic aspect of the story and didn't try too hard to be serious. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 gets too serious, and they don't blend the stories well enough throughout the film.
The stakes are simple, Shadow is attempting to seek revenge for what happened to him over 50 years ago, and Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are teaming up to take him down. However, as they attempt to peel back the layers of Shadow and Dr. Robotnik, it becomes a little too serious for its own good. We saw lighthearted comedic elements in the first two films, but they are few and far between.
Sonic is supposed to be fun and not taken too seriously. The writers attempt to make this franchise more than it needs to be. These are the types of movies you turn your brain off and enjoy the hilarity of it all, which was missing massively.
Jim Carrey is innocent because he delivered the fun elements as Dr. Robotnik, albeit in several cringe-worthy scenes. I don't blame Carrey, as he was doing his part (and, in his own words, cashing the check), but the running theme is that they tried too hard and made his character dumb.
Is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 worth watching?
If you are a completionist like myself, then go to the theaters and see it on the big screen. I would say the same if you are a fan of the franchise or even have little ones because I am sure they are excited to see it. If you are on the fence because you were lukewarm about the other two, this is an easy pass, so wait till you can catch it on streaming.
Ultimately, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 discarded everything that made the first two movies good. Ben Schwartz and Idris Elba did their part with their voice work, while Keanu Reeves underwhelmed me as Shadow. I am pretty sad because I loved this franchise and had high hopes of knocking it out of the ballpark again.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters on December 20.