The cheers from the young fans at the screening of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 were the loudest among the Hedgehog screenings I’ve attended, and it makes sense because the latest installement is the most enjoyable of the bunch.
Of course, that fan base has grown in age and in size since the supersonic hedgehog barged into Hollywood’s videogame-movie competition via a character design controversy back in 2020.
What I didn’t expect was for the reactions to the third film – no frills called Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – to be that loud. As in, “oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!” I’m pretty sure that young boy will be watching the movie again.
There’s no need for a Part 1 and Part 2 refresher, families can just jump right in and enjoy the adventure as the story, while having some links to the earlier films, can be understood on its own.
SEMI-SPOILERS AHEAD.
In Part 3, a powerful new alien hedgehog named Shadow (Keanu Reeves) emerges from a secret laboratory with a revenge plot against humans who wronged him in the past and placed him in some form of cryo-sleep. Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) are recruited by Guardian Units of Nations (GUN) to defeat the new hedgehog, but are easily overpowered.
Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc. 
Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc. 
James Marsden as Tom and Tika Sumpter as Maddie in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc. 
Jim Carrey as Ivo Robotnik and Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc. 
Jim Carrey as Ivo Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc. 
Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America; Inc. 
Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America; Inc.
The heroes decide to team up with erstwhile enemy Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) to gain some technological power to defeat Shadow, but as they work together, another villainous surprise arises – Gerald Robotnik, Ivo’s lost grandfather (also played by Jim Carrey.) Just as technologically genius as Ivo, Gerald turns out was behind the release of Shadow. Together with Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tike Sumpter), the team races from Tokyo to London to outer space to defeat the evil plans of the Robotniks.
END OF SUMMARY
You can add Ivo Robotnik to the list of classic Jim Carrey characters just like his Grinch, the comedian is definitely in his element as the iconic villain of the Sonic universe.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is simply the goofiest installment with non-stop one-liners and witty punchlines and no pretentions for gravitas. Just all-around crazy antics that even the confused plot and illogical situations don’t matter. Uncomplicated entertainment that the family can enjoy together. Stay until after the credits.
Directed again by Jeff Fowler, the live-action-animation hybrid also has a returning cast with Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, plus newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is out in Philippine theaters this January 15th.
Images and link courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
By the way, this scene from the movie is located in Malt Mill, along Shad Thames, near the Tower Bridge in London. Photo below is my picture of the street last August, 2024.
acid reflects 
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