Hello dear readers, I am back again.
I find this to be quite a habit of mine, surface promising to keep on top of my reviews and then vanish off the face of the earth for a few months before the cycle renews. Well I left 2024 recovering from a whirlwind year. I got a new job, reconnected with some people, said goodbye to some others, made changes, rescued some dogs, rescued some cats, and discovered through some helpful people on Instagram (and an online GP form) that I likely have undiagnosed ADHD. I guess that explains the fits and starts of this blog!
However, with the new year-new me routine which comes with every year renewal, I am back. For how long? Who knows, Jamie is responsible for my commitment to these posts now that we have an insight into how my interest in hobbies wain. The good news is my complete career change allows for a little more time for moi and whatever I want to do during that time, hopefully that is writing blog posts for your entertainment.
Anyway, Thursday night Jay and I decided that with the new year we would endeavour to make the most of our Cineworld Unlimited passes and attend the cinema at least once a week. I love Sonic, so the first film of the year was a no brainer. Jamie came into this partially blind as he had only seen the first one 3 days beforehand and hadn't yet found time to watch the second, of course neither of us had yet seen the spin off series Knuckles, but I read on the internet that the series in question didn't actually tie into the new film at all so it didn't matter.
Be aware, SPOILERS ahead.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Team Sonic (Sonic, Tails & Knuckles) as they are whisked to Tokyo to face a brand new threat. This threat is Sonic's mirror image aside from the fact that he is better in every way. You got it, Shadow has entered the franchise at last. Forever my favourite, Shadow just beats Sonic in every respect and it is honestly my belief that even in 'God mode' Sonic had no chance of beating him as seen in the film. Jamie countered this with Sonic having the opportunity to end him after knocking him back with a punch fuelled by rage, but I'm telling you now that it was a lucky punch and it was only Shadow's suicidal tendency in that moment due to the grief he carried for Maria that allowed such a window of defeat. Sonic was lucky Shadow had a change of heart or else it was game over really.
Alongside our anti-hero Shadow, the newest instalment introduced Dr Gerald Robotnik, Ivo's long lost grandfather. Evil and insane, Robotnik Sr's goal is to destroy the world that took his granddaughter Maria from him, including himself and his newly acquainted grandson. He has no reason to live, and poor Ivo soon comes to terms with the fact he cant live in his cousin's shadow and that it is down to him to become the hero to save the world even if he cant save himself.
It is down to Team Sonic, barely holding it together, alongside Shadow and Robotnik Jr, to save the day as Gerald Robotnik uses his weapon he built for G.U.N to destroy everything. Poor Stone takes a bit of a backseat in this one as he's left behind feeling undervalued, but let's just say everything comes right in the end.
Now Jim Carrey is an integral part of the Sonic movie franchise, but with his wish to take 'power naps' between movies and being selective due to this, it is not yet known if he wants to come back for Sonic 4. The potential death and character arc of Dr Ivo Robotnik in this movie is a fitting end to the character should one be required. It is also open should he wish to return. I liked that. Mr Carrey also gave his all for this movie, taking on both his existing character and that of his grandfather. Twice the work and quite clearly twice the fun. The dance scene was superb and by far our favourite part of the movie, even better is the fact that this scene was Carrey's own brain child. It was exactly the comic relief the movie needed following its intense themes of loss.
My only problem with the movie was the fact some characters felt forced due to their lack of involvement. Donut Lord, Maddie, and Ozzy were left behind for the Tokyo leg of movie (which was a fair chunk) and while we reunited with them for the London sequence their involvement and attitudes felt too jolly and almost cringy. Their involvement for this movie was merely a pivotal moment for Sonic. It was to allow the parallel between Sonic and Shadow, both how their paths changed when encountering loss, how Sonic could still live beyond his grief whereas Shadow let it consume him. To be honest I think it was Gerald's influence which swayed Shadow to wallow, whereas Donut Lord helped Sonic (many years later) connect and move on. I suppose it helped that when Sonic lost his mother figure he was a child, Shadow arrived to Earth fully grown and then had 50 years trapped in the moment of his loss. It truly was intense stuff.
Anyway, the family element of the movie felt a bit forced which is what I was getting at, but the action sequence and Robotnik scenes made this movie.
Now there are two cut scenes, one showing the arrival of Metal Sonic (I cant wait!) and sadly Amy (dont ask me why but I cant stand her, perhaps Sonic 4 will change my mind). The second cut scene showed that Shadow survived (I knew he would) and will no doubt rock up again to reluctantly help Sonic in a moment of need,
Now Sonic 4 is now in production and yet we only have the one Super Mario movie. I think they need to catch up a bit there so we can have the long awaited combo movie. Everybody loves a bit of Mario and Sonic, I myself (with the occasional help from Jamie when I get stuck) am currently playing Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games on my switch and enjoying it thoroughly.
I'm waffling again, we'd better make haste with the verdict kind reader. I am awarding Sonic the Hedgehog 3 a hearty 7/10. It was funny, it was emotional, it had a good moral and a decent plot. I think it needed a little more backstory for the whole Grandpa/Maria thing as there was some confusion in the car about Maria being Ivo's sister or cousin, but Google soon cleared that up. Aside from that it was an enjoyable addition to the franchise and I can't wait to sit in the cinema with some pick n mix for Sonic 4!
Have you seen this movie? Leave a comment on my socials with your thoughts!
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