Sonic is back in his best film yet. The first reviews are available Sonic the Hedgehog 3and they are mostly positive, praising the action, humor and improved script, direction and special effects. All of our favorite characters from the series return, including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Tom the Donut Lord. This time they face off against a new villain: Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves. However, like the first two Sonic films, the best reason to watch this film is Jim Carrey, who now plays two roles in a hilarious way.

Here’s what critics say Sonic the Hedgehog 3:

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How does it compare to the other? sound Movies?

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues the upward trend of the series… This is the best sound Movie still.
— Daniel Howat, Next Best Film

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the best one yet, which is shocking because the first two films are fantastic.
—Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is unlikely to be the best of them all so far.
—Jesse Hassenger, Polygon

After three entries, Paramount’s sound The series hasn’t lost any of its momentum, and this might be the best overall.
—Marc Deschamps, ComicBook.com

Third time is the charm for the franchise, which is finally picking up steam with a faster-paced adventure for Team Sonic.
— AA Dowd, IGN Movies

The best experience for fans yet.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

Unfortunately the charm has been lost Sonic2 This was a little more nuanced and much more engaging.
— Pete Hammond, Deadline

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(Photo by ©Paramount Pictures)

What about other video game adaptations in general?

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to defy expectations of video game franchises by being better than previous blockbuster installments in every way.
—Julian Roman, Movieweb

(Video game films) tend to be overproduced and dark. But Sonic3 gives hyperactivity a good name.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety

This is the first time that director Jeff Fowler and Paramount have adapted a story-driven film sound game, and the result is surprisingly faithful to the source material… sound Fans who played the original Dreamcast game will have a lot of fun.
—Marc Deschamps, ComicBook.com

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is not only an excellent video game adaptation, but one of the best blockbusters of the year.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

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Is this a superhero movie?

It’s a parody of the grandiosity of what superhero films have become. It’s like a late Marvel extravaganza that never loses sight of the fact that it’s absurd.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Kids probably deserve a better fake superhero franchise. Carrey definitely does. But sometimes junkie children’s movies are pretty funny despite themselves.
—Jesse Hassenger, Polygon

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(Photo by ©Paramount Pictures)

How is the direction?

Jeff Fowler, who directed all three films, is a faster, wittier, more energetic magician than his first film sound in 2020.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Jeff Fowler, who also directed the first two films, has picked up the pace further, and the film flies by in a silly, pleasant blur.
—Jesse Hassenger, Polygon

With each entry in this series, Fowler seems to find a steadier hand behind the camera.
—Jonathan Sim, ComingSoon.net

In this third film, it’s clear that Fowler has found his way.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

Fowler’s success in escalating all aspects leaves many questions that need to be addressed. This means a hectic conclusion that revs the film engine into overdrive.
—Julian Roman, Movieweb

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What about the optics?

Jeff Fowler delivers his most striking part with “Reuniting with”. Sonic2 Cinematographer Brandon Trost has created a sci-fi spectacle with some dynamic set pieces.
— Tim Grierson, Screen International

The CGI continues to impress… Sonic3 delivers the series’ most impressive visuals to date, with the final third feeling particularly at home on the big screen.
—Jack Shepherd, Total Film

The visuals, especially of Sonic and his friends, look incredible.
—Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky

The graphics are excellent and it’s easy to forget that you’re watching people interact with CGI creatures.
—Jonathan Sim, ComingSoon.net

Visually, this is more of a stroke of luck. It certainly looks better than the other things, but the cinematography is often flat.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

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(Photo by ©Paramount Pictures)

And the action?

The action sequences are incredible and intense and will keep the viewer on the edge of their seat.
—Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky

The action is a slight step up from the previous films.
— Daniel Howat, Next Best Film

The introduction of Shadow raises the action bar for every scene to come. It’s so impressive.
—Julian Roman, Movieweb

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How is the script?

With fewer destination weddings and one-on-one conversations about Tom’s career goals, Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Whittington’s script is free to focus on our colorful alien menagerie.
— AA Dowd, IGN Movies

Casey and Miller’s script deftly manages to allocate just the right amount of screen time to a large ensemble cast.
—Julian Roman, Movieweb

Sonic3 has more narrative focus and urgency than Sonic2.
—Ian Freer, Empire Magazine

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is just a vividly staged throwaway, but it has a spirit that recalls the elegant silliness of The Super Mario Bros. movie And Ralph is breaking the internet. And it’s anything but pointless.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Although Fowler and writers Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Whittington keep the references easy to understand, I still feel like they’re winking at the initiated.
—Rachel Labonte, Screen Rant

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 goes off with the same completely predictable, one-dimensional storytelling that the franchise launched with.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire

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(Photo by ©Paramount Pictures)

Is it funny?

The script is hilarious and provides by far the biggest laughs of the series.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

The humor is a hit with kids and adults alike (there are a few jokes for older viewers that will go over the heads of younger viewers)…To say I laughed until my cheeks hurt is an understatement.
—Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky

It certainly has enough of the requisite…silly jokes to keep little fry entertained without boring their adult companions. Although it’s difficult to say exactly who a Bea Arthur joke is intended for.
— Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

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How is Keanu Reeves as Shadow?

Reeves is a good addition to the cast, bringing the same gravitas to his vocal portrayal of the menacing shadow that he brings to the equally vengeful humans John Wick.
— Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

Reeves does an excellent job of conveying Shadow’s hurt and strength, adding to his commanding presence.
—Rachel Labonte, Screen Rant

Damn if Reeves doesn’t make Shadow an incredibly likeable little ball of pain at the center of it all.
—Jesse Hassenger, Polygon

Keanu Reeves… speaks in his usual candor in a way that is strangely fitting for the series’ most intimidating villain yet.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

Considering Shadow was the focus of the marketing and is also a key character in the games, this is a somewhat disappointing turn of events.
—Jack Shepherd, Total Film

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(Photo by ©Paramount Pictures)

What about Jim Carrey?

Weird, wild and absolutely brilliant… His enthusiasm is infectious and elevates every scene; like the other two sound Movies, this one belongs to Carrey.
—Jack Shepherd, Total Film

Jim Carrey will have audiences laughing in an absolutely brilliant double act that further highlights his comedic genius.
—Julian Roman, Movieweb

Jim Carrey can deliver an epic performance that surpasses anything he has done in these films.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety

As it turns out, two of him are better than one.
— AA Dowd, IGN Movies

Most of the time, Carrey stands off to the side, performing a wonderfully crazy two-character one-man musical.
—Jesse Hassenger, Polygon

With the introduction by Dr. Robotnik’s grandfather, also hilariously played by Jim Carrey, the film goes from more of the same to something truly fantastic.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

Without him, this film could have been much, much worse.
—Andrew Pulver, The Guardian

Carrey is such a talented actor that it seems a shame that he has to exert even more manic energy to portray Dr. Playing Robotnik, which he does to the extreme, while also dropping off a number of fourth-wall-breaking pop culture references in the process.
— Pete Hammond, Deadline

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(Photo by ©Paramount Pictures)

And the rest of the cast?

In this film we thankfully move away from most people, and since Tom and Maddie are the only likeable people in this thing, the film is much better because of their presence.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

The human elements are a bit hit and miss… James Marsden and Tika Sumpter are a chemical free zone, it looks like they met for the first time seconds before the cameras started rolling.
—Andrew Pulver, The Guardian

They still have thankless tasks to do, and the way the film unnecessarily includes additional previous human cast members is confusing at best.
—Jesse Hassenger, Polygon

Her participation in the adventure seems half-hearted at best… (Krysten Ritter) unfortunately doesn’t have much to do.
— Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

Ritter’s role in the film feels largely wasted, as if an intended payoff was left on the cutting room floor.
—Marc Deschamps, ComicBook.com

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Should they continue? sound Movies?

This series has only improved with each release, a trend that I sincerely hope continues with the next installment.
— Cole Groth, FandomWire

At the current rate of unlikely improvement, that is sound series should turn out to be a Toy Story 2First-class masterpiece in maybe five years.
— AA Dowd, IGN Movies

If they manage to maintain the charm of this trilogy, then keep it up.
— Daniel Howat, Next Best Film

If Carrey decides not to retire, it would still be a joy to watch him hit the wall at full speed.
—Jack Shepherd, Total Film

If you’re not on your knees, ask Paramount for the green light Sonic 4 After seeing this, I don’t think you can call yourself a fan.
—Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3
(2024)
will be released in theaters on December 20, 2024.

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Thumbnail image by ©Paramount Pictures

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