By Matthew Moorcroft

Strong Recommendation

• Directed by Jeff Fowler
• Starring Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Keanu Reeves
• PG

I’m finding it difficult to start my writeup this time around. Normally how these things go is “unfunny one liner to grab your attention, explaining the premise, and then launching into tirades about nothing”, which works for about 95% of the things I write without fail. Rinse, repeat, post, see you guys in like two months when I get around to reviewing whatever big release has come next.

So why, of all things, is Sonic the Hedgehog 3 tripping me up? It could be the fact that I’m in a unique position of being both a big fan of the source material but also mildly lukewarm on the cinematic efforts of our favourite blue blur; while Sonic the Hedgehog 3 certainly had decently strong trailers, the first two films weren’t exactly powerhouses in my mind, especially when both years had stronger blockbuster fare aimed at kids. And as such, I mostly went in with mild curiousity and a blank slate for this new installment, which has managed to keep hype up due to the introduction of fan favourite edgy hedgy himself Shadow.

So believe me when I tell you that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is not only far better then the prior two efforts, but it’s also the first one of these to reach being a genuinely “great” film. I’m always a big proponent of meeting films exactly where they want you to meet them, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is fully committed to delivering exactly what you want to see and then some, with the “then some” being some of the more surprising stuff in store here.

Most of that great stuff here is due to Shadow and his whole entourage, which succeed on delivering actual pathos to a character that seems silly on paper. Like all great children’s fare, there is an actual melancholy to Shadow’s segments, particularly in his friendship with the ill-fated Maria. Jeff Fowler as a director has never been particularly amazing (and that doesn’t change here) but he is competent and he manages a solid level of restraint here in allowing the amazingly talented Alyla Browne – who, between this and Furiosa is having a hell of a breakout year – and a committed to the bit Keanu Reeves simply just do their thing. It’s all sincere and effectively managed, and that sincerity eventually transfers over to a somehow more madcap then usual Jim Carrey, who decides to give his second Robotnik a motivation that’s unusually grim for these sorts of affairs but considering how much time the movie actually spends on it, it’s an effectively earned motivation that makes the film’s emotional core stronger then you would expect.

Much of the fluff of the prior film has also been phased out. It seems like Fowler and company have finally realized that the best parts of these things are Sonic and company, and while there are human actors everywhere still this is almost entirely a film devoted to these CGI characters – with CGI that has gotten so good that at points it actually almost feels like these characters are on screen (a shot of Shadow in Japan is probably one of the best example of that). As such, the human cast is barely in this, with their only appearances seemingly being mandated by the need to acknowledge their existence in the ongoing story of this particular continuity.

The film, ultimately, is at it’s weakest when these element do come in randomly, and with additions like Krysten Ritter getting not a whole lot to do it’s clear that that these films would do best to mostly just let Sonic do his thing, which let’s be clear, they absolutely do. I’ve always maintained Ben Schwartz has been a clear bright spot in these films, bringing the right amount of annoying and likable to Sonic that can be difficult to portray. But here, Schwartz has to lean into the softer, more heroic side of the character is emphasized in his later appearances, and he does a great job of it; if Sonic from the prior film was more of the 90s prankster Sonic, this is the 2000s anime shonen hero Sonic.

That “shonen anime” vibe also translates to the film’s monstrously good action sequences, which are some of the best of the year. Probably the closest thing we’ve gotten to Dragon Ball Z in live action in a good way – with mountains being crushed, characters flying into buildings, and full on laser beams destroying entire planetary structures. Your mileage will vary on whether or not these are your speed – anybody who isn’t into anime will likely be mostly scratching their heads -but I do think seeing a large, mainstream film have it’s roots and inspirations so clearly on it’s sleeve is refreshing.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Sonic the Hedgehog 3 really is that strong. While it does occasionally veer into the same issues that plagued the prior two films, it’s not nearly to the same extent. This is a genuinely great family flick that is mostly elevated by a committed voice cast and a strong Carrey performance, which is frankly all I think you need. Sonic fans will love this as per expected, but if you are just looking for a good time at the movies with the family this Christmas and have ones too young for Nosferatu, this is a great pick across the board. Really good stuff!