'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Reviews: Latest Entry into the Franchise Thrills Fans

         On December 20, 2024, Paramount Pictures released 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding at 87% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of this writing. In the film, "Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet." The ensemble cast includes Keanu Reeves, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, Krysten Ritter, Adam Pally, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Tika Sumpter, Ben Schwartz, and Lee Majdoub. Read the full review round-up below.

        Robert Kojder of Flickering Myth says, "Frenzied action and loopy comedy aside, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has heart and is aware it doesn’t always “gotta go fast,” occasionally slowing down to ensure we care about these characters while laying out its themes with affecting sincerity" Adding, "With Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Jeff Fowler and company have found the right balance of humor (even Jim Carrey feels reinvigorated and energized more than in the first two, up for the goofy acting challenge presented that is right inside his slapstick wheelhouse, while also simply given mostly funnier material to work with) and frenzied action elevated by strong, vibrant CGI (this is unquestionably one of the better-looking special-effects extravaganzas of recent memory) alongside an engaging story. There is a case to be made that Shadow’s back story could have been even longer and not limited to a couple of flashbacks, but the right characters here are put front and center, which makes all the difference for a Sonic adaptation to click."

       Rodrigo Perez of The Playlist notes, "If you’re not a parent, you may have no interest in seeing Paramount’s “Sonic” movie franchise unless you’re like my dear friend Caleb, who is in his early 30s, loves anime, and seemingly has the same taste as my eight-year-old son. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But this is fine, “Sonic” movies are definitely movies for children first and foremost”— and there’s nothing wrong with that either—and “Sonic 3” mostly continues down that same path." Concluding, "However, presuming you don’t know the “Sonic” movies—I certainly would have never seen them without my kiddo—they’re actually quite surprisingly endearing, lighthearted, amusing and entertaining. And when they’re at their best, they’re essentially stories about outsiders trying to fit in, our collective need to belong and the heartening qualities of found families; all good emotional qualities that put an extra pep into the wacky energy of these fun movies."

Photo by Adam Mills on Unsplash

       Jordan Hoffman of The Daily Beast was less impressed, stating, "This is a movie you take your 9-year-old nephew to when he won’t shut up about Pokémon and you need something to occupy him for a few hours before you lose your mind." Continuing, "There’s a big battle in Japan that involves lasers flying all over the screen. Then, after some Japanese marshmallows sing The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” the trio joins forces with their former nemesis, the Eggman, aka Dr. Ivo Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey. Carrey, who has pretty much stopped appearing in studio movies except for the Sonic franchise, has decided on a performance style that I suppose you could politely call “a choice.” It mainly consists of sticking his belly out and doing a voice that sounds like Robin Williams at his most zany crossed with the “I Got Starbies Girl.” What else did it remind me of? Hmmn, let me think. Ah, yeah, the time I had to see a doctor for an inflamed hemorrhoid. It reminded me of that."