Sonic 3: Where adventure meets nostalgia

2–3 minutes

The third division of a classic brings out childhood memories

Staff Writer

From high warp speed adventures to heartwarming friendships, Sonic the Hedgehog has raced his way to the hearts of fans across generations. After fleeing from his homeworld and ending up on Earth, this classic blue speedster embarks on thrilling endeavors that blend high-stakes action and realistic efforts. With the third installment of the Sonic trilogy, which was released on December 20th, the hype for one of the most beloved gaming franchises has reached new heights.

Sonic 3 revisits the intense rivalry between Sonic and Shadow, who form an alliance to defeat their common enemy, Doctor Eggman, who is played by Jim Carrey. Along with the comeback of the iconic trio—Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles—director Jeff Fowler is back, delivering high-quality visuals, meaningful writing, compelling voices, and perfectly shot camera angles.

With new faces like Keanu Reeves, Alyla Browne, Ben Schwartz, and more joining the cast, their authentic voice acting performances transformed these characters to life. Take, for example, Shadow and Sonic’s dynamic, the main show of this film: the writers excelled at handling the competitive rivalry between the two characters, and the respective voice actors, Reeves and Schwartz, amplified the characters’ portrayals.

Despite the many adaptations of Sonic, it’s important to respect the original works from the developers of the game. Their parallels between the film and the game expand beyond characters’ individual stories, influencing the narrative’s direction. For players of the game, the character arcs also reflect the influence the film draws from the game: its writing keeps attributes consistent and doesn’t add unnecessary details that make them abrupt or confusing to viewers.

Instead of incorporating pop culture references like the previous film did, Sonic 3 adopts a more serious tone which establishes a sense of urgency. Sonic and his comrades are up against enemies that are motivated solely by ambition, and time can’t be wasted. Gerald Robotnik’s attempt to develop technology for sinister purposes concludes, gives the film exciting depth, while Carrey’s take on Doctor Eggman delivers a darker intensity as he pursues his aim of dominating the world.

The plot finds a balance between emotional scenes and the humorous tone that fans have grown to appreciate, living up to the expectations set by the first two movies. Acknowledging its origins, the movie spreads a positive message that nobody battles alone, regardless of how many odds are against them.

With new movies on the way, there’s nothing wrong with rewinding a classic story of characters saving the world. Sonic 3 is a worthwhile movie to watch—it’s a love letter to die-hard fans and people who prefer simple fiction alike.