Sonic the Hedgehog 3
There seems to be an almost impossible formula to making a great film based off a beloved video game franchise. So many have attempted to adapt the fun aspect and quality storytelling of the games to the big screen in a way that respects the lore and its fans. We all know the horror stories of past video game adaptations like Double Dragon, the recent versions of Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat (2021), and Max Payne. But we all adore the good ones like the first Resident Evil film in 2002, last years' The Super Mario Brothers and the greatest of them all, Mortal Kombat (1995). The formula that made the latter film so fun and memorable was studied and rewritten by the makers of the Sonic the Hedgehog films and my goodness they have consistently blew me away with each film. The first film captured that since of heart and comedic timing that was perfectly tongue and cheek. The sequel built on that with even better action and fan service. This newest entry, while not as laser focused I might say, still manages to capture the consistent since of fun, wackiness and heart this trilogy started so strongly with. This entry borders on the almost too absurd and zany to be taken seriously with all the antics of past characters returning with double the caffeine induced mania. The cast of characters you loved all return and still manage bring it home to a fun conclusion.
Ben Schwartz continues to be the loveable and impetuous titular hero, Sonic the Hedgehog. He never stopped being so much fun to watch and his comedic timing with the quips and topical one liners were even sharper this time around. I loved that his bond with his family has gotten even stronger and they actually felt like a team. Colleen O'Shaughnessey continues to be the ever present positive energy and tech savvy companion, Miles "Tails" Prower. He was truly the brains of the many operations in this film and I loved that he wasn't cut short for screen time in an already crowded film. Idris Elba continues to dazzle as the steadfast, hilariously serious warrior spirit of the group, Knuckles. He gets to have a great deal of depth in this film and you see his loyalty truly be tested in a very tense scene. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter return as the loveable couple Tom and Maddie Wachowski. Their chemistry with each and the hedgehogs continues to be the highlight of the franchise. I love that they get an equal amount of the action and their own adventure as a couple was funnier and fun weird at a moment. Krysten Ritter was commanding and cool as Director Rockwell. She joins the hunt for the antagonists of the film in a very Mission: Impossible inspired sequence.
Jim Carrey returns and this time he's doing double the work as both the brilliant mad scientists Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik. The both of them have their differences in levels of evil, but they’re equally fun to watch together. There is a dance sequence between them that was unexpected and best described as a psychedelic moment of comedy. Lee Majdoub returns as Ivo's trusted assistant, Agent Stone and he was a true standout in the film. He got to stand on his own two feet for a change and truly became a man of his own. Keanu Reeves steals the film as the main antagonist / fan favorite anti-hero Shadow the Hedgehog. Keanu was beyond perfect and Shadows' intensity and brutality was amazing. I loved that he got to have a well fleshed out backstory that was both tragic and informative of his mindset and morality scale. Gerald's granddaughter Maria Robotnik, played wonderfully by Alyla Browne, was the spark that kept Shadow motivated and brought out the heart of the character.
Composer Tom Holkenborg returns once again and he delivers the intensity and pulse pounding dramatic score throughout the film. His score matches the action and momentum of the story so immaculately. It really sores the during the epic final 30 minutes of the film as everything started to get darker and inventive as the plot thickens. Like I said before, this new entry continues that same fun tone, but it lacked a bit of focus throughout. It went for the zany nature with Robotnik and it kind of took away from the more serious nature of Shadow. With that being sad, somehow it balances out in the finale with a shocking amount of heart. Director Jeff Fowler has figured out how to deliver a truly fun and heartfelt third film while honoring the video game lore, characters and the many Easter eggs for the true fans. I believe we're looking at the best trilogy of video game adaptations. Do stick around for the wonderful two end credits. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
