Jeff Fowler – ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ movie review

(Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Mon 30 December 2024 5:00, UK

Jeff Fowler – ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’

The latest addition to the Sonic the Hedgehog series has defied the usual curse of mediocrity that plagues sequels and video game adaptations. With its lively action plot, well-rounded characters, consistent humour, and cutting-edge special effects, this hybrid live-action/animation family film offers entertainment for audiences of all ages.

Unsurprisingly, Jim Carrey is pivotal to the film’s success, portraying two roles: the eccentric villain Dr Ivor Robotnik, a character familiar from earlier Sonic adaptations, and the doctor’s long-lost grandfather, the equally nefarious Dr Gerald Robotnik. Carrey’s trademark goofiness fits seamlessly within the film’s cartoonish context, and his interactions with his co-villain are particularly entertaining. Highlights include playful fourth-wall breaks and a lively, utterly ridiculous dance sequence that blends live action and CGI with perfect comedic timing.

The voices of the animated characters are well chosen: Ben Schwartz reprises his take on the main character Sonic, and Keanu Reeves gives an appropriately dark and tormented tone to über-destructive fellow super-hedgehog Shadow. Idris Elba, meanwhile, is mock-heroic and fun as the uncharacteristically combative echidna Knuckles, part of Sonic’s entourage. Finally, James Marsden and Tika Sumpter are funny and likeable as Sonic’s live-action human accomplices. The film, it has to be said, takes more trouble than is usual for a cartoon adventure in giving even the minor characters their own personalities and motivations. 

The film may be aimed at a youthful audience, but will presumably be seen by many adults accompanying children. Fortunately, in spite of its dependence on animated heroics for much of the movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is reasonably entertaining for viewers of any age, including classic Sonic action for youthful fans, as well as humorous banter and a passable plot for older audience members. Young people (aged eight through 16) who accompanied me to the screening were, surprisingly, more enthusiastic about Carrey’s performance as dual villains than the animated hedgehog and his associates.

Carrey’s characters were, of course, costumed to appear more cartoon-like, but his typically over-the-top performance was diverting in itself. The younger viewers’ main complaint was the omission of favourite character Rouge the Bat, government agent and treasure hunter from earlier Sonic franchise releases. I will add that some of the content may have been a little too violent and intense for the very young; several tragic and sudden character deaths and near-deaths were included, and grief and trauma were a significant part of the plot.

Paying attention to character development, even when the characters are personified balls of blue fur, has paid off for this sequel. So, there is painstaking camera work and careful pairing of the live actors with CGI elements onscreen to avoid any flaws in the interactions.

These features, along with allowing comedy to be part of the story throughout, even during world-threatening criminal acts, let the film succeed in fulfilling that routine promise of ‘fun for the whole family.’

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