Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (dir. Jeff Fowler)

By: Adam Freed     

There are few feelings that match the unbridled enthusiasm that children experience at the onset of winter break. The looming reality of several weeks away from school means family holiday celebrations and endless snowbound adventures.  But as the gingerbread houses are reduced to rubble and the stockings serve only as a reminder that Christmas is, once again, an entire year away, the realities of the post Christmas malaise becomes the bane of parents everywhere.  Rest assured that families can find solace this holiday season in knowing that their favorite blue hedgehog is here to save the day… again.  Sonic the Hedgehog 3 marks the triumphant return of the video game based film franchise, which, with its third installment, has found the antidote to winter break boredom.  Wise families will resist the allure of immediate gratification and will book advance tickets to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in the daunting window of time between Christmas and New Years Day.   

Returning with Sonic on this tertiary adventure is the entire creative team behind the creation of the 2020 original and its 2022 sequel.  This Sega-inspired team is spearheaded by director Jeff Fowler and writer Pat Casey. Also returning to the film’s onscreen story are Sonic’s adopted Earth family Tom and Maddie, once again played in live action by James Marsden (Enchanted) and Tika Sumpter (Get on Up) respectively. The loving couple play heartfelt adopted parents to Sonic, Tails and most recently Knuckles, who is voiced to perfection by Idris Elba.  The real secret sauce to the success behind Sonic 3 however is the return of the comedic mad scientist behind the evil Dr. Robotnik, Jim Carrey. While Carrey made a name for himself with less family friendly fare like 1994’s Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber, the Canadian comedic supernova has, at the age of 62, found the perfect delivery for family entertainment that kids will adore and parents will appreciate.

With his latest Sonic adventure, Jeff Fowler pits Sonic and his partners against a mysterious new enemy, the dark and vengeful hedgehog by the name of Shadow. The animated Shadow is voiced by multi-franchise frontman Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, John Wick), who is a welcome but seemingly underutilized addition to the Sega cinematic universe. Young audiences are sure to be mesmerized by the lightning pace of the film's plot, which includes just enough backstory via flashback to keep adult audiences engaged. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is humorous, exciting and a surefire hit for primary school aged viewers.  Bonus points go to the production team for intentionally framing the important themes of family, friendship and the daunting task of children learning to process mixed emotions.  Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a safe bet to bust the post holiday blues for young families ready to hit warp speed.

Target Score 6.5/10 - Now that a musical trip to Oz and an underwhelming return to the Pacific islands are likely in the theatergoing review for most families, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will prove an entertaining and welcome respite to break up the post holiday malaise.  Jeff Fowler’s third franchise film is worthy of a late December trip to the theater.