'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Dashes into Theaters
by EG
For the third installment of a video game-inspired franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to go strong and is still able to draw big names to its cast. Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, and more have all signed up for this go-round, and critics say they get the job done. Read on for details.
Three movies in, it’s not surprising that the Sonic the Hedgehog cinematic universe is starting to get more crowded.
The second installment, released in 2022, saw the arrival of the title character’s (Ben Schwartz) animal cohorts Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba). They’re now joined for the action-packed third entry by archnemesis Shadow, another, even more powerful hedgehog voiced by none other than Keanu Reeves. And Jim Carrey has not only abandoned his short-lived retirement to return as the mad scientist Dr. Ivo Robotnik, he does dual service as Ivo’s 110-year-old but very sprightly grandfather Gerald. Because when you snag Jim Carrey for the third in a series of video game movie adaptations, it’s a shame to waste him in only one role.
Not being an aficionado of Sega’s Sonic video games (okay, I’ve never played one), it’s hard to comment on how well the films, which combine live-action and animation, live up to their inspirations. But judging from the enthusiastic reactions from the obvious fans at the preview screening (especially during an end credits bonus scene introducing yet another character whom I assume is beloved), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 gets the job done, and should provide entertaining persion for families during the holiday season. It certainly possesses enough of the requisite frenetic action sequences and silly jokes to keep small fry entertained while not boring their adult chaperones. Although it’s hard to tell exactly for whom a Bea Arthur joke is intended.
Reeves makes a fine addition to the cast, infusing his voice portrayal of the menacing Shadow, who’s just escaped from a laboratory after 50 years of captivity, with the same gravitas he brings to the similarly revenge-obsessed John Wick. In his first encounter with Sonic and company, Shadow observes, “You’re a colorful bunch” with a quiet condescension, and he’s all the scarier for the lack of overt menace. He also has a tragic backstory that gives the character unexpected emotional depth.
Even Dr. Robotnik gets to pull at the heartstrings through his complicated relationship with his grandfather, who turns out to be the real villain of the story.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.