Director Jeff Fowler returns to the world of video games with "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," produced by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay is a collaboration between Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, based on a story by Casey and Miller.
Following their latest victory, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), Tails (voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessy), and their adversary-turned-friend Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) are enjoying life in Green Hills alongside Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter). However, their peace is disrupted by a powerful new foe, Shadow (voiced by Keanu Reeves), a mysterious villain with abilities unlike anything they have encountered. Facing overwhelming odds, Team Sonic must form an unlikely alliance with Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) to stop Shadow and protect their planet. Complicating matters, Shadow was created by Gerald Robotnik (also Carrey), Ivo's grandfather, putting our heroes on high alert.
Fans of the franchise will be pleased to know that Wade Whipple (Adam Palley), the deputy sheriff of Green Hills and Tom's friend, as well as Rachel (Natasha Rothwell), Maddie's older sister who still disapproves of Tom, and Randall (Shemar Moore), Rachel's husband and an agent for G.U.N., return for this sequel. Additionally, Krysten Ritteras joins the cast as Director Rockwell, a high-ranking officer of the military organization Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.).
The film sets a brisk pace, drawing viewers into a vibrant world filled with colorful landscapes and dynamic action sequences. The CGI for Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails is still top-notch, visually showcasing the character's unique abilities. With his trademark speed, Sonic is a charismatic lead, Knuckles brings brawn and loyalty, and Tails adds a layer of intelligence and ingenuity to the team. The returning voice actors all slide back into their roles with natural ease.
The introduction of Shadow as the primary antagonist is a masterstroke. Mysterious and brooding, Shadow embodies a new level of threat that keeps the stakes high throughout the film. His powers are not just flashy; they challenge Sonic and his friends in ways they've never encountered. This tension creates a palpable sense of urgency that drives the narrative forward. Keanu Reeves was the perfect choice to bring Shadow to life with his deadpan delivery.
Apart from Jim Carrey, the human characters predominantly occupy supporting roles and appear to follow a formulaic approach; however, this effectively aligns with the narrative vision that the writers pursued. As an admirer of Krysten Ritter, I would have preferred that her character was afforded more depth and engagement. Nevertheless, a mid-credit scene hinting at the possibility of a fourth film compensates for this shortcoming.
The fatigue sometimes starts to show when it comes to the third film in any franchise. Thankfully, the creative team behind the latest entry in this franchise knows what works and keeps the fun vibes coming.
Final Grade: B
"Sonic The Hedgehog 3" races into theaters tomorrow, December 19th.