SPOILER WARNING
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” was nothing short of epic and entertaining. This film is one of the best that was released in 2024 and, if not the best, definitely the most fun. The third movie picks up right where the second left off; Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves, breaks out of his 50 year containment and seeks revenge on the Guardian Units of the Nation (GUN) for deeming him a threat and killing the one person who cared about him. Now, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles must team up once again to stop Shadow from getting his revenge.
Shadow was created by Dr. Gerald Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey, and not to be confused with Ivo Robotnik, also played by Jim Carrey, from the first two movies. Yes, you read that right: in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” Carrey is double the fun because he not only reprises his role as Ivo, but he also plays his grandfather, Gerald. The two characters are finally reunited in this film and have amazing comedic chemistry.
The film’s value goes beyond Carrey’s comedic abilities by introducing a complex relationship between Sonic and Shadow. In this movie, Shadow represents a version of Sonic who was consumed by his anger and thirst for revenge. He shows the audience how Sonic could have turned out if he did not find a family on earth. This is further displayed when Shadow severely injures Sonic’s father figure, Tom. Sonic grows increasingly angry and abandons Tails and Knuckles to fight Shadow himself. Sonic recognizes how destructive revenge is and realizes he cannot let anger change him, exposing Shadow to this perspective as well.
Sonic’s persistent nobility and heroic characteristics are not concepts audiences might think about before the introduction of Shadow. By acting as an exact opposite to the Blue Blur, Shadow is a reminder that Sonic keeps his composure regardless of the obstacles thrown his way.
This movie proved itself to be a fan favorite, and this is especially clear given the theater audience’s consistent cheers during pivotal scenes in the film. The feeling of seeing Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Shadow in the same film is indescribable, especially for fans of the games.
Fan input has also been a huge factor in the success of these films. The first movie’s original trailer introduced audiences to a vastly different – and less appealing – design for Sonic. Fans criticized Sonic’s design, forcing Paramount to delay the film to redesign the hedgehog. Although some fans have speculated that “Ugly Sonic” was just a public relations stunt, that theory has been disproven as merchandise for “Ugly Sonic” was already made. There were obviously no plans to redesign Sonic until the overwhelming negative feedback, but the switch proved to work in Paramount’s favor.
According to Forbes, the film has grossed over $420 million worldwide. It ends with two post credit scenes that introduce new characters and tease the plot for the confirmed fourth movie in the franchise, set for a 2027 release. If “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is any indication, the fourth Sonic movie is going to be a great time.
