“You shouldn’t let your pain define who you are,” Tom, portrayed by James Marsden, tells Sonic at the beginning of *Sonic the Hedgehog 3*. Although the franchise primarily showcases speed, ring collection, and battling Doctor Eggman, the third film significantly emphasizes themes of trauma and personal development. To ensure the message resonates, this line makes a repeat appearance later, accompanied by various comments on making wise decisions. As I observed, I found myself reflecting on my own decisions—particularly the ones that brought me to review *Sonic the Hedgehog 3*.
Fortunately, this isn’t the sort of disastrous video game film adaptation that haunted Hollywood for ages, such as the peculiar 1993 *Super Mario Bros.* or the lackluster 2024 *Borderlands*. However, *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* doesn’t exactly achieve greatness either. It finds a spot in the middle ground, rendering it a tolerable, albeit nonessential, viewing experience for anyone older than 10 who didn’t have a Sega Genesis or Dreamcast as a child. While it may captivate kids and die-hard Sega enthusiasts, others might feel their interest waning, hoping the movie could match Sonic’s pace so they could swiftly move on to another film.
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### What is *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* themed around? (Besides personal trauma.)
The film begins on Prison Island in Tokyo Bay, where an enigmatic hedgehog breaks free and causes chaos. Enter Shadow, voiced by none other than Keanu Reeves, who inflicts destruction across Tokyo. Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and Knuckles (Idris Elba) unite to confront him; however, Shadow’s immense strength—and the torment from a significant loss he endures—render him a challenging adversary. Unexpectedly, Sonic may need to enlist the help of his foe, Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey), to tackle this new menace. But is Robotnik genuinely trustworthy?
With more action scenes than its earlier entries, *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* pursues a grander vision, transporting Sonic and his companions from Green Hills, Montana, all the way to Tokyo, London, and even outer space. The stakes are elevated, with the Earth’s fate at risk. The franchise appears to mirror the *Fast & Furious* approach, escalating in epicness with each new chapter and transforming rivals into friends—Knuckles and even Robotnik join forces this time around. Like *Fast & Furious*, the series also focuses on themes of family, particularly with the introduction of Robotnik’s grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, also portrayed by Carrey. Gerald may even possess a darker nature than his grandson.
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### Jim Carrey continues to shine.
Carrey stands out as the most engaging performer in the series, showcasing his trademark exaggerated antics through vivid facial expressions and energetic performances. While Schwartz lends his voice to the titular character, Carrey emerges as the genuine star. It’s challenging to discern the purpose of these films beyond financial gain, yet it’s hard to resent a franchise that allows Carrey to display such delightful silliness in a family-oriented film. In this third chapter, he doubles the fun by playing both Robotnik and his grandfather, bringing twice the comedic flair to the screen.
However, the movie’s more somber elements sometimes conflict with Carrey’s comedic dynamics. Shadow’s narrative, fueled by his quest for vengeance over a young friend’s demise, comes across as excessively heavy when contrasted with Carrey’s playful antics and the lighthearted exchanges between Schwartz’s Sonic and Elba’s stern Knuckles. The plot and character motivations have never been strong points for the franchise—*Sonic the Hedgehog 2* was similarly disorganized—and this tale serves more as a backdrop for action and comedy rather than a captivating storyline. There are emeralds, keys, and even a dance number thrown in, purely for entertainment’s sake.
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### Where is James Marsden? And perhaps more crucially, where is Natasha Rothwell?
Regrettably, the heightened emphasis on action and spectacle detracts from the more sincere, emotional moments that anchored the previous films. This results in reduced screen time for James Marsden’s Tom and Tika Sumpter’s Maddie, Sonic’s adoptive parents. With each film, their significance has waned, and by the upcoming *Sonic the Hedgehog 4* (hinted at in a mid-credits scene featuring a character I needed to look up), they may only appear as brief cameos. Even Adam Pally and Natasha Rothwell, who injected refreshing comedic energy into the previous movies, find themselves sidelined to minor roles here.
The animated trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles remains the least captivating aspect of the series for adult viewers. Although the CGI that merges them into live-action scenes is adequate, it is challenging to become invested in these characters or the film overall. Director Jeff Fowler