The Screen Scribe

Going to the cinema involves certain prerequisites, such as popcorn. Soft Drinks. Chocolate. And having fun and enjoying a film. That is exactly what Sonic the Hedgehog 3 delivers. A damn good time at the cinema. In a year where good films are hard to come by (yes Hollywood, it’s been a poor year, just admit it) Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is one of the few films I can recall thoroughly enjoying, laughing out loud and being generally excited about. It’s easy to watch, funny, a visual feast and both children and parents seem to be loving it.

The Sonic film franchise has become something of a unicorn. It’s a successful video game adaptation, something many of the big studios have failed to deliver for the last twenty years, and throughout its three films it has gradually improved in quality, critical reception and box office returns. The Knuckles tv series was a slight bump in the road, and while I enjoyed it myself, there are many who did not. But if the end credits (yes there is another credits scene) is anything to go by, Sony is not slowing down but doubling down on the success of this franchise. It’s beginning to remind me a little bit of the early years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with each subsequent film introducing new characters that are later explored to greater depth. If Sony can continue to sustain and even improve on the quality of this franchise, most notably focusing less on the human characters and bringing us to more fantastical locations, then the Sonic film franchise could be around for a while yet.

But back to the film itself. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues the narrartive from its predecessor while loosely adapting the fan favourite story of Sonic Adventure 2, introducing audiences to Shadow the Hedgehog and his tragic past. Keanu Reeves delivers a heartfelt and emotional performance that encapsulates Shadows rage and need for vengeance driven by the sorrow of his past. This is contrasted both visually and tonally with Sonic, who is constantly optimistic and fun, but later examines how both characters deal with loss and delivers the age-old message that we are stronger with our friends by our side.

Jim Carrey deliver his usual zany, wacky performance that at times hits the mark but more often that not the timing seems strangely off, or the scene just falls flat. While Carrey’s performance as the mad scientist Robotnik is still enjoyable, I can’t help but feel the script let him down in comparison to previous entries. His turn as Gerald Robotnik however is excellent, pivoting between emotional angst, wacky grandfather and vengeful scientist, manipulating everyone around him for his own gain.

Of the three films in the franchise thus far, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 feels more like a video game than the other two, as it examines the duality between both hedgehogs, the involvement of the military organisation GUN and the threat of the Eclipse Cannon. The exploration of the differences and similarities between Sonic and Shadow is at the heart of the film, spurred by Reeve’s emotional performance. In some ways, it’s a more emotionally mature film that its predecessors, as Shadows story unapologetically portrays the darkest aspects of his backstory, but the film never loses sight of what it is: a fun, family film to be enjoyed by all.

3.5 / 5 ✨ from the Screen Scribe.