Hedgehogs and Hilarity: A Joyful Dive into Jim Carrey’s Latest Adventure!

The Overview: The increased emphasis on Sonic and his companions, along with a remarkable double act from Jim Carrey, ensure Sonic 3 is enjoyable for families and enthusiasts alike.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

7 out of 10

PG, 1hr 50mins. Sci-Fi Family Action Adventure Comedy.

Directed by Jeff Fowler.

Featuring Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter and Keanu Reeves.

Just when it seemed like everyone’s beloved speedy hedgehog couldn’t elevate his film series any further, here dashes Sonic in with an electrifying Christmas surprise.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is wittier, swifter, and more fan-oriented than its two predecessors. Astonishingly, it’s also the finest in the franchise, introducing a slight touch of seriousness and introspection that the first two films merely jested about.

In the storyline of Sonic 3, Sonic (voiced with boundless enthusiasm by Ben Schwartz) and his companions finally engage in a video game-like clash against the famed anti-hedgehog hero Shadow (voiced by the well-known and brooding Keanu Reeves.)

What truly counts is how the narrative and tones broaden to forge the playful, supercharged realm of Sonic and his friends for kids on the big screen. This is where this third installment shines brighter than 2022’s sequel.

Discover more here: Sonic ignites colorful chaos – Review

That’s likewise the point where director Jeff Fowler (at the helm of all three Sonic films since 2020) has finally grown at ease with his vision, dedicating more attention to the animated characters and less to the more tedious human roles.

Sonic 3 maintains the same quirky, nerdy, and childlike spirit as its predecessors, complete with a whimsical and frequently convoluted screenplay to match.

However, this latest installment refrains from offsetting the absurdity with a family drama — Sonic 3 embraces pure action-comedy, which enhances the enjoyment due to this renewed focus.

Once again, stealing the spotlight is the iconic comedian Jim Carrey, whose reprised role as villain Dr. Ivo Robotnik is as engaging and humorous as ever. In this film, he also gets to portray his own character’s grandfather, Reginald Robotnik.

As if Ivo wasn’t eccentric enough, witnessing Carrey unleash his full potential in this metafictional and stylized dual role on screen is a sheer delight. Surprisingly, he exudes even more endless, frenetic joy and zeal than Schwartz as Sonic himself.

If I have one critique regarding the new cast, Reeves is an apt choice for portraying Shadow and his gloomy, vengeful demeanor. However, the dialogues can be rather awkward, making it challenging to view Shadow as a genuine threat or a serious counterpart to Sonic within the narrative.

Nonetheless, with such exhilarating fun, Sonic shows no indications of decelerating. A tip for fans: stay for the mid-credits scene, which keeps the tradition alive of hinting at which of Sonic’s allies will appear in the forthcoming next sequel.

Among the many family-friendly selections at the multiplex this Christmas, none are truly extraordinary. Yet, if you’re in search of some PG-rated entertainment during the holidays, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 earns my recommendation as the appealing choice.

And besides, isn’t Christmas the ideal occasion to celebrate those five golden rings?