Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Review

Sonic the hedgehog zips back into the theatres, bringing the vibrant chaos of Sonic and his crew head-to-head with a double dose of Dr Robotnik and the brooding Shadow The Hedgehog. This installment amplifies the action, tones down unnecessary human subplots, and delivers the kind of high-speed adventure fans crave.

A 1974 meteorite crash brings Shadow The Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) to Earth, where the military uses his powers for experiments. Shadow bonds with Maria (Alyla Browne), granddaughter of scientist Dr Gerald Robotnik (Jim Carrey). During an escape attempt (to prevent Shadow from being taken away), Maria dies, Gerald is imprisoned, and Shadow is put in stasis.

Fifty years later, Shadow awakens and wreaks havoc in Tokyo. Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) - now dubbed Team Sonic - are recruited to stop him, but fail. Meanwhile, Doctor Ivo Robotnik (also Jim Carrey) fatally injures G.U.N. Commander Walters (Tom Butler), who entrusts Sonic with a keycard.

Gerald somehow resurfaces and reveals his plans to activate the Eclipse Cannon - a weapon capable of destroying Earth - using the keycards. The rest of the movie follows Team Sonic as they try to stop Gerald and Shadow from destroying the Earth, and how they go about it.

Right from the opening scene, the film wastes no time in reuniting Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. However, their playful banter and friendly rivalry are cut short by the emergence of Shadow. Then the movie jumps straight into action. This time, Carrey takes on a double role, diving into sinister plans as both the eccentric grandfather Gerald and his grandson Ivo. From then on, the movie isn't just about the lightning speed of Team Sonic - it's about the equally fast-paced storytelling.

The film balances world-building with relentless action, steadily ramping up stakes until the grand, explosive finale. Expect larger-than-life battles, pulse-pounding chase scenes, and plenty of heartwarming moments of teamwork and growth.

What makes Sonic The Hedgehog 3 shine is its sharp focus. The narrative stays firmly planted in the Sonic universe, avoiding the unnecessary diversions that bogged down the previous entries. There are no out-of-place subplots - just pure, unfiltered Sonic energy. When human characters step in, they serve the story, adding light humour or advancing the plot without stealing the spotlight.

The movie also explores family, loyalty and redemption, but doesn't get bogged down in family themes. The film throughout its runtime focuses on Sonic's unwavering optimism and Shadow's sombre and tragic arc. And it superbly executes the franchise's signature fun-is-in-the-run action sequences.

Jim Carrey proves once again why he's indispensable to the series. His comedic timing, physical gags and exaggerated flair keep Robotnik entertaining, but this time, the character carries more emotional nuance.

Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaughnessey and Idris Elba reprise their roles with charm and chemistry, delivering plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments. However, it's Shadow's introduction that steals the show. Keanu Reeves imbues the iconic anti-hero with a gravitas that stands apart from the rest of the cast, and from the previous two movies in the Sonic franchise.

Visually, the film leaps off the screen. The action sequences are slick and dynamic, blending CGI and live-action seamlessly. The score pulses with energy, complementing the movie's relentless pace. Easter eggs and nods to classic Sonic games are sprinkled throughout, rewarding long-time fans without alienating newcomers.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is the high-speed, family-friendly thrill ride that fans have been waiting for. It improves on the previous entries by trimming the fat and zeroing in on the characters and conflicts that matter most. Whether you grew up with the Sega Genesis (the epic video game and the inspiration for the franchise) or discovered Sonic more recently, this film promises fun for all ages. By all means go for it.

And don't forget to stick around for the mid- and post-credit scenes - they tease exciting developments that will leave fans buzzing for the next installment.