MOVIE REVIEW – This third installment in the Sonic franchise suffers from an overpopulation problem, with too many characters vying for attention. However, Jim Carrey’s gloriously manic and undeniably brilliant performance in a key role salvages the cinematic experience. It’s a satisfactory, albeit formulaic, addition to an ever-expanding franchise that’s sure to keep running for years to come.

One might be surprised to find that Sonic shares quite a bit of DNA with Fast & Furious’s Dominic Toretto. Sure, one’s an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog, and the other is a brawny Vin Diesel who seems permanently attached to his Dodge Charger. But hear me out. Both have a need for speed, both are fiercely devoted to their families, both possess abilities that border on superhuman, both excel at turning adversaries into allies, and both are the faces of film franchises teeming with supporting characters.

It’s this final similarity that proves to be Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s Achilles’ heel. The sheer volume of humans and computer-generated critters packed into this movie is staggering. The filmmakers didn’t just include a plethora of returning faces; they also opted to introduce a slew of newcomers, including Keanu Reeves lending his voice to Shadow, Krysten Ritter as the stern-faced Director Rockwell, and a whole gaggle of nefarious members of the Robotnik clan. It’s a Herculean effort to successfully balance so many narrative threads.

A Case of Too Many Cooks…

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 picks up immediately following the mid-credits stinger of the previous movie. Shadow, Sonic’s edgy doppelganger, renowned in the games as the quintessential brooding anti-hero, is roused from a half-century cryogenic slumber. He swiftly deals with some security personnel, breaks free, and engages in a battle with “Team Sonic” – the titular blue blur, his wily fox sidekick Tails, and the crimson echidna Knuckles – in the heart of Tokyo. This action-packed sequence is undeniably a visual treat. The vibrant palette and overall vibe create an uncanny resemblance to an off-kilter, parallel universe version of John Wick. One might almost expect Keanu to show up. Here we see Sonic and a pistol-packing Shadow blazing through the Japanese metropolis. But beyond a touching (though admittedly somewhat formulaic) flashback, this marks the end of Shadow’s substantial involvement.

He’s swiftly relegated to the background, becoming little more than a prop for the wicked Dr. Robotnik. This leads to Shadow’s character arc mirroring Knuckles’ journey in the previous film in a distressingly predictable manner. Meanwhile, Knuckles, even after headlining his own spin-off series, is sadly reduced to a single running gag. Given Shadow’s prominence in the pre-release hype and his established importance in the game lore, this development is a major letdown. Similarly, James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, portraying Sonic’s adoptive human parents, are given short shrift. This feels like a particularly missed opportunity, considering the audience’s clear appetite for more of Marsden’s comedic talent after his scene-stealing turn in Amazon’s Jury Duty.

Furthermore, we’re introduced to Lee Majdoub as Robotnik’s sycophantic underling, Agent Stone, who’s given an unexpected but ultimately shallow emotional subplot. Then we have Ritter’s Rockwell, a character who barely registers beyond being a rigid, by-the-book military commander. Oh, and somehow Tails and Adam Pally’s Wade Whipple (a major player in the Knuckles series) are shoehorned into the narrative, not to mention a smattering of cameos. The film is simply bursting at the seams, unable to properly service its bloated cast.

The Carrey Extravaganza

Nevertheless, even with a large portion of the cast underserved by the script, one returning star makes Sonic the Hedgehog 3 thoroughly enjoyable: Jim Carrey. Witnessing him embrace the absurdity of playing a literal, mustache-twirling antagonist is an absolute delight, so much so that his performance, encompassing both Robotnik and his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, dwarfs all other aspects of the film. Carrey’s portrayal is even more wonderfully eccentric than before, particularly when he slips into character as the recently sprung, irascible elder Gerald, who schemes to use Shadow as a tool for global vengeance.

In one instance, the actor throws himself into an absolutely bonkers, almost slapstick-like dance routine. There’s also a clever bit where he breaks the fourth wall that could have easily fallen flat, but Carrey’s deft touch ensures it’s a moment of pure comedic gold. His energy is contagious, invigorating every scene he’s in. Just as with the previous two Sonic films, this one is undeniably Carrey’s vehicle.

This isn’t to suggest that Sonic himself is a bore. The titular hero, brought to life by Ben Schwartz’s reliably excellent voice work, displays a newfound confidence, and his quips hit their mark more consistently this time around. Director Jeff Fowler has drawn parallels between Sonic’s growth and that of Harry Potter, suggesting that the character’s maturity mirrors that of his young fans. This comparison holds water in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. While his arc of self-discovery and learning the ropes of leadership may tread familiar ground, he remains the emotional core of the franchise, a franchise that shows no signs of slowing down.

A Visual Treat, But Overstuffed

It’s important to acknowledge the continued excellence of the film’s visual effects. The first film was marred by the infamous initial Sonic design, necessitating a costly and time-consuming redo, while the second faced production hurdles due to the global pandemic. Sonic the Hedgehog 3, in contrast, presents the most visually stunning spectacle of the trilogy, with the climactic third act being particularly well-suited for the cinema experience. Additionally, this installment manages to clock in at under two hours, a feat that seems almost miraculous given its sprawling, Avengers-sized ensemble.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is ultimately a franchise entry that, while overpopulated and reliant on well-worn tropes, manages to provide a reasonable level of entertainment, particularly for younger viewers. Anchored by two standout characters in Sonic and Robotnik, it’s a family-oriented escapade that doesn’t break new ground but keeps the wheels spinning at a sufficient pace to maintain audience engagement for future installments. Should Carrey, who has frequently discussed the possibility of retirement, choose to make this his Sonic swan song, it would serve as a fitting, if not groundbreaking, conclusion to his involvement. However, if Carrey opts to stay on board, audiences will surely continue to relish his go-for-broke performances.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-