Of all the video game film adaptations, only one franchise surpasses all others, and that’s Sonic the Hedgehog! That’s because nobody tried to put their unique interpretation on top, and best of all, the producers listened to the fans. While feedback is important during test screenings, the reason I love Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the backstory of another rodent unfolding during the film. He’s the lead character’s ultimate rival and the emotional attachment he had with a human is comparable to Sonic’s with his surrogate parents. This beating heart is why I’m so invested.
Also, whether Jim Carrey “came out of retirement” so he can play Robotnik is debatable. He’s most likely being a lot more picky these days because some roles are draining for this aging comedian. When he plays two characters in this latest film, I wonder who his stand-ins are and what cinematic witchcraft made those scenes with the two characters look seamless. Although a film based on SEGA’s hottest mascot won’t feel like one without him, I can handle it (more on this later).
When Sonic’s counterpart, Shadow (Keanu Reeves) arrived on Earth decades earlier and got captured, he had little to do. Although he lived in a science facility, the scientists and military were indifferent to the tomfoolery going on. Maria (Alyla Browne) lived here with her grandfather (Gerald), and she quickly became a ray of sunshine to this black-haired rodent. She must have somehow persuaded her grandfather to join the escape, but when everything went wrong, a life was lost.
As a result, just what keeps on motivating this hedgehog is to honour everything she represented. He’s more Klingon than Knuckles. Although the two never had a one-on-one fight, I suspect any result would be a standoff. And as for whether he’ll ever see the light (pardoning the pun), I have my second most favourite character identified! Although the film doesn’t clearly explain why he crash-landed on Earth, I suspect it involves events from the first film, when echidnas attacked Sonic’s home. He wasn’t the only one who escaped. While others travelled through black holes and what not, displacing them through time and space, others did not.
And for all the craziness that must ensue to make the boss battle a spectacle, this third entry gets dazzling and colourful! All the other supporting friends and family don’t have as much of a role since new characters are being introduced, and it’s a bit of a shame since I think Tom and Maddie’s time with the franchise is over.
But as for continuing the story, I have to wonder if a fourth film is even necessary. I hear that it’s been green-lit, and 2027 is a reasonable wait between films. As much as I’d love more Sonic the Hedgehog movies, I hope executive producer Neal H. Moritz Knows when even all good things must reach an end. Stretching a franchise too far when there’s no content is like painting yourself to a corner. Thankfully, tons of content exists to draw from, and while not everything involves Sonic, I’ll still follow it!
One spinoff mini-series is Knuckles, and I enjoyed it! That’s because it offered not only a great road trip story but also showed the Echidna and human as a double act. Even though Wade Whipple’s (Adam Palley) story became more important during the later episodes, the CGI character has a major role to play. Without his resolve to encourage the human. I doubt he could have confronted his deadbeat father! Pete (Cary Elwes) is a piece of work. He got his just deserts when seeing the ex (Wade’s mom) again!
As for who else may get their own story also includes Shadow. While much of his reason to stay near Earth is well explained, there’s an even deeper backstory which will have to date him to whether he’s from Sonic’s homeworld or not. Also, not everyone knows who Amy Rose is, a character introduced during the credits. Gamers recognize she’s an ally of Sonics, but for others, she’s going to be a mystery.
4 Stars out of 5 (averaged between the two works)
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Trailer
Knuckles Trailer (Streaming on Paramount Plus)
