Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Release Date: 26th December 2024 - Australia
Production Companies
Paramount Pictures (presents)
Sega Sammy Group (in association with)
Original Film
Marza Animation Planet
Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia
Genre: Family/Action/
Adventure/Comedy
Runtime: 110 minutes
Budget: $122,000,000
Box Office Gross: $340,168,401 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)
Plot Summary
Sonic, Tails and Knuckles
are up against a mysterious
new enemy with powers
beyond anything they
have ever faced known as
Shadow the Hedgehog.
Outmatched in every way,
unlikely alliance with
Dr. Robotnik to stop
Shadow and protect the
planet, but the risks
increase when Robotnik
reunites with his long-
lost grandfather, Gerald
Robotnik, who appears
to have his agenda for
Cast
Ben Schwartz - Sonic the Hedgehog (Voice)
Jim Carrey - Ivo Robotnik/Gerald Robotnik
Keanu Reeves - Shadow the Hedgehog (Voice)
Idris Elba - Knuckles the
Echidna (Voice)
Colleen O'Shaughnessey -
Miles "Tails" Prower (Voice)
James Marsden - Tom
Tika Sumpter - Maddie Wachowski
Natasha Rothwell - Rachel
Adam Pally - Wade
Shemar Moore - Randall
Lee Majoub - Agent Stone
Krysten Ritter - Director Rockwell
Alyla Browne - Maria
Tom Butler - Commander Walters
Jorma Taccone - Kyle
Sofia Pernas - Gabriella
Cristo Fernández - Pablo/Juan
James Wolk - Young Walters
Brett Tutor - Prison Guard
Richard Sutton - G.U.N. HQ Security Guard
Will Austin - G.U.N. Heli Pilot
Bola Okun - Military Man
Reggie Banigo - Rockwell's Assistant
Barry Calvert - 70s G.U.N. Soldier
Brendan Murphy - Robotnik
Toru Nakahara - Japanese
News Reporter
Crew
Executive Producer/Director - Jeff Fowler
Story/Screenplay - Pat Casey
and Josh Miller
Screenplay - John Whittington
Executive Producers - Tommy Gormley, Tim Miller, Haruki Satomi and Shuji Utsumi
Producers - Neal H. Moritz,
Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara
and Hitoshi Okuno
Co-Producers - Tyson
Hesse, Dmitri M. Johnson,
Andrew Riach, Nicole Monter,
Dan Jevons and Matt Gustafson
Casting Directors - Sophie Holland, Janelle Scuderi and Tricia Wood
Production Designer - Luke Freeborn
Artistic Consultant - Jim Carrey
Sonic Character Supervisor:
Sega - Takashi Iizuka
Supervising Art Director - Tom Still
Senior Art Directors - Su Whitaker
and Joe Howard
Art Directors - Claire Fleming,
Sarah Ginn and Laura Miller
Construction Manager - Ray Barrett
Set Decorator - Anna-Lynch Robinson
Costume Designer - Eleanor Baker
Costume FX Designer - Pierre Bohanna
Prosthetics Makeup Designer - Mark Coulier
Digital Makeup Designer - Bill Corso
Director of Photography - Brandon Trost
Supervising Location Manager -
Christian McWilliams
Second Unit Director - Peter Lyons Collister
Stunt Coordinator - Eunice Huthart
Fight Choreographer - Mike Lambert
Special Effects Coordinator - Sarah Pearce
Special Effects Supervisor - Hayley J. Williams
Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX -
Edson Williams
Visual Effects Producer - Paul V. Molles
Senior Animation Supervisor - Clement Yip
Editor - Al LeVine
Supervising Sound Editors/Sound Designers -
Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn
Sound Designer - Darren Maynard
Production Sound Mixer - Paul Munro
Re-Recording Mixers - Ron Bartlett and
Anna Behlmer
Music - Tom Holkenborg
Review
It is the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. What better way to cap off this year other than the fireworks is by watching SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3? Let me tell you, each movie of the franchise improves as the speedy blue hedgehog always wins the race. SONIC 3 builds on the success of its predecessors, reducing the excess baggage and concentrating more on the well-known Sega characters. For example, the human characters (minus two Robotniks) have less screen time, the pacing is much tighter, and the pop-cultural references are minimal. Not to mention, there are no useless subplots like the wedding in Sonic 2.
Added to the inclusion in the film series is Sonic's rival, Shadow, whose dark past propels the plot forward and has already appeared in the mid-credits scene of the second instalment. The introduction of this character deepens the film as an emotional rollercoaster as it examines themes of grief, vengeance, and redemption. Interestingly, the movie's director, Jeff Fowler, had previously worked on the animations for the 2005 platformer Shadow the Hedgehog, so he returns to his connections with Sega's gun-toting villainous hedgehog.
Unlike the earlier Sonic movies, which were family-friendly romps, SONIC 3 takes a darker tone, upping the stakes for Sonic and his friends. Whereas the first two instalments borrowed the elements from the classic Mega Drive games, SONIC 3 owes much to the Dreamcast game Sonic Adventure 2. What makes SONIC 3 a more deliberate video game adaptation than its predecessors is the distinct duality it establishes between Sonic and Shadow. The film never ceases to amaze me with its awe-inspiring visuals and dynamic action scenes, culminating in a climax reminiscent of the battle scenes in Dragon Ball Z. The humour is well-balanced, with sufficient laughs for children and moments for adults. There are even Easter eggs and references to the games in the film that fans can recognise.
As always, Ben Schwartz shines as Sonic's voice, lending his boundless enthusiasm and charm to the blue hedgehog. Idris Elba and Colleen O'Shaughnessey deliver great performances as Knuckles and Tails individually contribute to the trio's chemistry. Keanu Reeves was an inspired choice to play Shadow. No one could expect the legendary action star to play someone as dark and brooding with a tragic backstory and a thirst for revenge (similar to the titular character he portrayed in the John Wick series). That said, Reeves did an incredible job of his performance by bringing edginess to the character that perfectly captures his dark nature.
Remember what I said in my Sonic 2 review that Jim Carrey is considering retirement after he finishes playing Dr. Robotnik in the second instalment. He's back for the third time as Carrey pulls double duty in a dual role. Not only does the legendary comedian portray the wacky mad scientist, but Carrey also gets to play his even more sinister grandfather. While he outdoes himself as two generations of Eggman, he hasn't lost the quirkiness we've come to anticipate from Jim Carrey.
While a significant step up from the first two instalments, SONIC 3 is the best entry in the movie franchise and one of the better video game film adaptations. It has a compelling story, striking performances, and stunning visuals that audiences of all ages will enjoy. For those who have watched its predecessors, now is your chance to go and see the third outing.
Also, there are two post-credit scenes at the end of the film that fans should keep an eye out for, which could hint at the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4 in 2027. I can't wait to see the impending sequel when it'll be as good as the third instalment.
Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever
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