Cast: Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves
Genre: Comedy, Family
Director: Jeff Fowler
In Irish Cinemas: 21st December 2024
Sonic the Hedgehog shares more in common with Dominic Toretto of Fast & Furious fame than you might initially think. Yes, one’s a blue, lightning-fast hedgehog, while the other is a muscle-bound Vin Diesel perpetually attached to a Dodge Charger, but the parallels run deeper than appearances.
Both are speed junkies. Both are fiercely devoted to their “families,” whether biological or chosen. Both operate as borderline superheroes, defying logic and physics at every turn. They’re also excellent at persuading defeated rivals to join their squads. Finally, both lead franchises brimming with an ever-expanding roster of characters. That last trait is especially relevant in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, where the growing ensemble threatens to overwhelm the story.
This third instalment introduces a slew of new faces while still juggling an already crowded cast. Not only are Sonic’s extended family and allies back, but we’re also meeting newcomers like Keanu Reeves as Shadow, the brooding anti-hero; Krysten Ritter as the no-nonsense Director Rockwell; and the rest of the scheming Robotnik clan. It’s a lot to handle, and not everyone gets their fair share of the spotlight.
Sonic 3 picks up directly after the mid-credits tease from Sonic 2, where we saw Shadow awakening after being frozen for 50 years. Shadow, Sonic’s darker and more lethal counterpart, wastes no time making his mark, dispatching guards with ease before engaging Team Sonic—composed of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles—in a high-octane brawl across the neon-lit streets of Tokyo.
This sequence is a highlight, blending vivid colours with intense action in a way that evokes a John Wick-esque adrenaline rush, albeit filtered through the playful tone of the Sonic series. But beyond one moving (if slightly predictable) flashback, Shadow’s depth begins and ends here. Before long, he’s reduced to a pawn of Dr. Robotnik, rehashing a character arc eerily similar to Knuckles’ journey in the previous film. Meanwhile, Knuckles is relegated to comic relief, a disappointing turn for a character who recently headlined his spin-off series.
The film doesn’t just sideline Knuckles. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, Sonic’s human adoptive parents, are criminally underused, an especially glaring oversight given Marsden’s recent popularity following his hilarious turn in Amazon’s Jury Duty. Lee Majdoub’s Agent Stone is given a surprising emotional subplot, but it’s undercooked. Ritter’s Director Rockwell barely registers as more than a generic military archetype. Even Tails and Adam Pally’s bumbling cop Wade Whipple—both of whom had significant roles in earlier instalments—struggle to find meaningful moments amid the chaos. Throw in a handful of cameos and minor players, and the film is clearly bursting at the seams.
Despite these flaws, Sonic 3 remains immensely watchable, thanks mainly to Jim Carrey. Returning as the eccentric Dr. Robotnik, Carrey fully embraces the absurdity of his role, chewing through every scene with infectious energy. He even doubles down this time, portraying Robotnik and his elderly, vindictive grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, who has escaped from prison to manipulate Shadow for his revenge.
Carrey’s dual performance is delightfully unhinged, whether donning a fat suit for Gerald’s cranky persona or delivering a hilariously bizarre two-person dance routine. One fourth-wall-breaking moment that could have fallen flat in lesser hands instead lands as one of the film’s funniest scenes. Simply put, Carrey’s comedic genius elevates every moment he’s on screen. If this is his swan song in the franchise, he’ll leave on a high note.
Ben Schwartz continues to shine as Sonic’s voice, delivering humour and heart in equal measure. Sonic’s character has matured alongside the series’ young audience, and his journey toward becoming a better leader—while familiar—is genuinely endearing. Director Jeff Fowler has compared Sonic’s growth to that of Harry Potter, and the comparison feels apt.
Visually, Sonic 3 marks a new high for the franchise. The CGI is slick and polished, with the climactic final act practically begging to be seen on the biggest screen possible. After the franchise’s rocky start with Sonic’s infamous initial design and the second film’s pandemic-related challenges, it’s satisfying to see the visual effects team hit their stride. Remarkably, the film also keeps its runtime under two hours, a rarity for modern blockbusters crammed with this many characters.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 doesn’t reinvent the wheel but doesn’t need to. It’s an overstuffed but thoroughly entertaining family adventure.
Overall: 7/10
Movie Reviewer
