I have always found the Sonic movies interesting. But Sonic the Hedgehog 3 felt different from the first two movies because this time, Sonic wasn't simply dealing with another threat. He was facing someone who was almost like a dark reflection of him.
The movie begins with Sonic, Tails and Knuckles enjoying their life on Earth when a new threat suddenly appears. His name is Shadow the Hedgehog, a powerful character who has been kept hidden for decades. Shadow is incredibly fast and strong, and from the moment he appears, it becomes obvious that Sonic has finally met someone who can actually match him.
Things become even more complicated when Shadow's connection to Professor Gerald Robotnik is revealed. Shadow isn't simply destroying things for no reason. His actions are connected to what happened to Maria, someone who was extremely important to him.
This is where I think the movie became more interesting for me. Shadow isn't just presented as another villain that Sonic has to defeat. There is an actual emotional reason behind his anger, and that makes his conflict with Sonic feel more personal.
Then there is Dr. Robotnik, who returns once again, and somehow the movie manages to make Jim Carrey's character even more ridiculous. 😂 But this time, he joins forces with his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, and their plan becomes much bigger than anything Sonic has faced before.
What I like was the relationship between Sonic and Shadow. They are both incredibly powerful, but they approach their pain in completely different ways. Sonic has found people he considers family, while Shadow remains trapped in the memories of what he lost.
The movie is actually about grief, revenge, friendship and choosing what to do with your pain. Sonic the Hedgehog felt like a bigger and more emotional chapter of the franchise. It gave Shadow a meaningful story and still delivering the action and humour people expect from Sonic.
Happy scrobbing
Rating: 100/100
