Sonic the Hedgehog 3: A Review

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

I respect films that know their audience and do not try to either insult them or talk down to them. The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is one that knows what its viewers want and gives it them. A bit dark in my view for younger kids, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a fun, zippy film that I found oddly moving at times.

Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is enjoying life with his family. However, he and his fellow creatures Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessy) are immediately taken to Tokyo to face off a new threat fifty years in the making. Leaving their de facto human parents Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) behind, our trio take on a new hedgehog, Shadow (Keanu Reeves). Shadow is stronger than Knuckles, smarter than Tails, and perhaps even faster than Sonic. To defeat Shadow requires all hands-on deck. 

That means even the villainous Doctor Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who is being framed for Shadow being released despite the protests of Robotnik's loyal henchman Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub). However, we find that there is a connection between Robotnik and Shadow, and that is Robotnik's grandfather Gerald (Carrey in a dual role), very much alive. The Robotnik grandfather and grandson decide to bond, much to Stone's sadness at being excluded, and also join forces for revenge.

However, it is not revenge against Sonic that they unite against. Gerard Robotnik wants to destroy the world, which even as someone as evil as Ivo Robotnik cannot go along with. He just wants to conquer the world, not kill everyone. Will Sonic convince Shadow, deeply hurt at the loss of his child friend from 1974, to switch sides or will Sonic's own need to avenge those he loves end up helping destroy the world? Will Ivo be able to outwit his villainous and equally brilliant grandfather?

One of the positives in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is how it goes through things remarkably fast. Perhaps that should not be a surprise given how Sonic is, by his own admission, the fastest creature on Earth. We go from seeing the three creatures to them going to Tokyo to them fighting Shadow to them regrouping and then to reencountering Dr. Robotnik in remarkably quick succession. I figure that those who have not seen the first two Sonic the Hedgehog films might get a bit confused. However, I think that we establish things rather quickly without having to rebuild the characters. We get indications that Sonic is immaturely arrogant, Tails is sweet and smart, Knuckles is strong and self-assured and Robotnik is pretty bonkers but delightfully so.

We also get Shadow's threat quickly when he finally gets out of the secret second holding lab he is at. We do have a flashback via Gerard to explain what happened to Shadow and his human friend, but I think that was needed for even the Sonic fans aware of who Shadow is.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also has a lot of in-jokes that those not familiar with the video games will appreciate if not get. After their first encounter with Shadow, the three aliens regroup not in a lab or underground lair, but in a Chao Garden. Those of us who have never played a Sonic game would see it as a cutesy, Chucky Cheese-like place where Japanese families go for child entertainment. Those who have would get the joke about the Chao Garden. In both instances, it works in Josh Miller, John Whittington and Pat Casey's screenplay. One can enjoy it on both levels and/or one level. 

A surprising element in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is how apart from Carrey and a lesser extent Majdoub, the human characters are unimportant. You had quick cameos from Natasha Rothwell and Shemar Moore as Maddie's sister and brother-in-law and exactly one scene with Deputy Wade (Adam Pally). Both are unnecessary, but they do not negatively impact the film either. Even the lack of screentime for Marsden and Sumpter was barely noticeable.

I think that is because the aliens and Carrey all worked so well together that it made Sonic the Hedgehog 3 more focused. You had a continuing series of events that move well and few if any distractions. You also have great work with the four aliens, each bringing their characters to life. Schwartz made Sonic that cocky but still immature figure, endearing but also in need to learn. O'Shaughnessy's Tails was still sweet and endearing, Elba's Knuckles unaware but confident. Keanu Reeves as the new figure of Shadow made his creature one driven by genuine loss.

And then there is Jim Carrey in the dual roles of Gerard and Ivo Robotnik. The film is smart enough to be self-aware about the logic, or lack thereof, in things when Carrey makes a joke about how they look like the same actor playing two roles in a movie. However, when they do their bonding montage to the Beach Boys' Wouldn't It Be Nice we pretty much forget that Carrey is playing two roles with surprisingly effective visual effects. Director Jeff Fowler even allows a bit more comedy whenever the poor Agent Stone attempts to join in the grandfather/son montage. 

There was a lot of humor courtesy of the screenplay. The entire Chao Garden scene was delightful, and Sonic's quips about calling Shadow "Tokyo Drift" or telling Tails and Knuckles that he did not know if what was attacking Tokyo was Godzilla or Hello Kitty were amusing, even cute. As much fun as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was having with the story, the film still managed to get in some moments of emotion.

At the end, when the Robotnik death machine is disintegrating, Carrey's Robotnik gives a surprisingly touching, even moving farewell to someone he calls one of the best henchmen ever. "You were more than a sycophant," Carrey tells Majdoub. "You were a syco-friend". Delivered in a comic but true-to-character manner as Robotnik, I admit I was surprised by how much that seeming farewell touched me. 

Sonic the Hedgehog was filled with some beautiful animation that pleased the eye. It somehow managed to integrate songs like the aforementioned Wouldn't It Be Nice to The Traveling Wilbury's End of the Line. Even the comic La Ultima Pasion telenovela that Robotnik got addicted to was in the fun spirit of the film.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a nice fun film. It might be a tad dark for small kids given that the death of a child is involved, even if it is in shadow. However, on the whole Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an enjoyable romp that respects its audience and gives them a good time at a good speed.

DECISION: B+