The Series’ Finest Film to Date

With Sonic the Hedgehog 3, we’re entering a fresh era of live-action adaptations for Sega’s speedy platformer, and it feels like a game-changer. The Sonic films have been gradually shedding their “family movie” image, aiming instead to authentically capture the anime-inspired twists and melodrama that the game series is known for. And in this latest installment, they strike gold. Sonic 3 loosely adapts one of the most cherished stories in the franchise’s 30-year history. While a few elements are adjusted, the film fully embraces the intense, otherworldly drama that set Sonic apart in the early 2000s. It slips occasionally with childish humor, but overall, the movie earns its right to delve into the video game extravagance that fans have adored for years.

Sonic 3’s real triumph lies in focusing on its nonhuman characters rather than sidelining them for the less engaging human ones. After the disappointment that was the human-centric Knuckles series, seeing Sonic 3 spotlight the anthropomorphic characters with compelling storylines was a relief. At the heart of this is Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of Shadow, whose backstory is slightly tweaked but still driven by themes of grief and revenge. Though Reeves stumbled in the Shadow Generations tie-in DLC, his soulful film performance captures the weight Shadow carries, exploring one of the darkest narratives in the series yet.

By drawing heavily from Sonic Adventure 2’s dual character perspectives, Sonic 3 creates distinct tonal shifts between its main hedgehogs. Shadow’s segments mirror the introspective and intense atmosphere of his original Dreamcast appearance, while Sonic’s scenes remain bright and hopeful, with occasional undertones of Shadow’s angst. The film attempts to explore loss through both characters’ lenses, delivering an engaging narrative crisscrossing cheerful moments and somber reflection.

This dualism is what makes Sonic 3 stand out as a polished video game adaptation compared to its predecessors. While it misses the presence of Rouge the Bat, expected by some fans, the delicate balance between Sonic’s optimism and Shadow’s brooding nature highlights a newfound directorial clarity. Gone are the cheesy distractions like Sonic 2’s wedding subplot. Instead, Sonic 3 aims for authenticity that hopefully engages all ages while paying respect to its origins. It dives into Sonic and Shadow’s stark contrasts with surprising depth, earning its spot by acknowledging the complexities of its characters.

One unexpected letdown was Jim Carrey’s return as Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik and his grandfather, Gerald. Although Gerald, traditionally a posthumous role, is humorously brought to life, the portrayal minimizes the character’s more chilling franchise moments. Carrey ends up as a one-man show, losing much of his earlier films’ sharp wit to silly antics aimed at younger audiences. It’s a missed opportunity for an actor of Carrey’s caliber and for characters that deserved a more nuanced script.

Paramount’s focus on human characters has often detracted from the magic of Sonic films, with actors struggling with lackluster material. Sonic 3 isn’t entirely free of this, despite adding Krysten Ritter as the fleeting GUN agent Director Rockwell. Meanwhile, Idris Elba’s Knuckles felt inexplicably absent, claiming a title that doesn’t deliver. While Carrey initially seemed immune to this “human ailment,” Sonic 3’s focus on Sonic and Shadow pushes the distracting segments onto his laps, diminishing their quality and impact.

However, when the film loops back to its leads, like with Alyla Browne as Shadow’s best friend Maria or the father-son dynamics between Sonic and cop Tom (James Marsden), it shines. Lee Majdoub’s Agent Stone, interacting with Eggman, also delivers genuine moments. Yet, the burden of entertaining children mainly through zany acts weighs down Carrey’s involvement, stripping him of the brilliance he displayed in previous installments. It feels like an acting powerhouse wasn’t adequately utilized.

With Gerald’s addition, Sonic 3 also diverges in areas familiar to even casual fans. Though it makes subtle changes to the narrative, the film embodies the nostalgic, edgy atmosphere of Sonic’s early 2000s era with respect and flair. Watching Sonic and Shadow’s exhilarating face-offs feels vibrant and alive, culminating in a climactic showdown that feels earned after the series’ positive progression.

Reflecting on Sonic 3, the word “earned” resonates. These films have evolved considerably since Paramount’s first, ill-received reveal of Ugly Sonic. Gradually, they reintroduced the quirky, genuine elements that have kept Sonic and Shadow dear to fans for decades. Two decades ago, a live-action Sonic Adventure 2 adaptation seemed improbable, and if once suggested it’d be this good, it’d be even harder to believe.