Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Jeff Fowler and Paramount Pictures is the next adventure for the team with SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3.

Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) are spending a little quality time with Doughnut Lord Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter). That is one of the gangs’ favorite things to do and they are soaking it up until a helicopter from G.U.N. shows up and Director Rockwell (Krysten Ritter) tells the three that they need help. With what?

Well, there is a new hedgehog on the loose named Shadow (Keanu Reeves) and he is angry and destructive. Sonic quickly realizes that his hostility is going to be difficult for Tails and Knuckles so it is decided they are going to call on the one person who might be able to help – Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub) brings the group before a dilapidated Eggman but once he discovers what is happening to some of his hardware, he doctors up and agrees to help.

That is until he discovers who is responsible for Shadow plus the chaos and its none other than – well, I’ll let you find out for yourself. Robotnik is thriller at the chance to once again be a part of the master plan that calls for putting the hedgehogs in danger. With a new sense of purpose and a new, very tight outfit, Robotnik and his new friends are taking aim at G.U.N.

Now Sonic, Tails and Knuckles must do what they do best, find clever ways to outsmart Shadow and Robotnik before they carry out their twisted plan for revenge, each for their own reasons!

Schwartz voicing Sonic gets to, once again, come up with fast talk, fast one-liners and going fast on his feet. This character is so very funny and if you don’t think so then you might want to ask Santa for a new funny bone. O’Shaughnessey voicing Tails is the smart hedgehog who understands how to create and work technology – and, to quote Agent Stone, Tails is “adorable”. Elba voicing Knuckles is the muscle of the bunch who finds no problem in fighting and has no problem offering up his services.

Marsden as Doughnut Lord Tom is so supportive of the hedgehog gang. He treats them as family and offers up fatherly advice when needed. He also finds himself in the middle of the action whether he wants to or not but its not always a bad thing. Sumpter as Maddie supports the hedgehogs just as much as her husband Tom does. When the couple gets an opportunity to spend time alone together, it doesn’t take long before Maddie is happy to join the gang on an adventure.

Carrey as Dr. Robotnik is absolutely stellar, hilarious and falls back into this role with ease. He is a total crack-up with his one-liners and even a few references that you have to be quick to catch. I’m so happy to see Carrey again in any capacity but, to be honest, my family truly adores him as Dr. Robotnik. So having Dr. Robotnik during Grinch season is everything we could have asked for from Santa.

Reeves as the newest hedgehog Shadow gets to be the dark presence of power. He has a bone to pick with anyone that has been a part of his 50-year captivity and has no problem showing what he can do. Reeves voice goes deep and lets us know from the beginning that he is a force on a mission. Majdoub as Agent Stone is still loyal to Dr. Robotnik, even when he feels like something is coming between them. Majdoub gives his role the middle-man appearance because he cares about his boss but also is curious about the hedgehogs!

Shout out to Ritter as Director Rockwell. Her character doesn’t trust anyone and both sides keep her on her toes!

Other cast include Jorma Taccone as Kyle, Sofia Pernas as Gabriella, Cristo Fernandez as Pablo, Natasha Rothwell as Rachel, Shemar Moore as Randall, Tom Butler as Commander Walters, Adam Pally as Wade Whipple, and Alyla Browne as Maria.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 has so much going for it. First of all, the special effects are so much fun and amazingly done. Then we have the story of three hedgehogs that are part of Tom and Maddie’s family to the point that they can not imagine their lives without them. There is also the story of a friendship and teamwork that Sonic, Tails and Knuckles hold dear and is put to the test. Dr. Robotnik returns with a bit of a story all his own as well and the addition of another hedgehog in Shadow who also has a story to tell.

Normally, that would be a lot of stories to tell but here it works! There isn’t a moment to take a breath because everything plays out in a fast (what did you expect, its Sonic!) paced adventure scene after scene. I love the wit behind the one-liners and, if you are as quick as they are, you’ll catch things that will have you saying, “whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?” and then laughing hard. There is humor for the kids and for the adults and sometimes they meet in the middle. The applause during the movie was a fun surprise. It reminded us all the reasons why Sonic became so popular in the first place and yes, I still have my original Sega and we will be playing the game later tonight.

Just in time for the holidays, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 means a fantastically fun time at the theatre for those of us who remember Sonic’s start, to families that have been following his rise over these many years and those who have caught on to the fun in recent years. Basically, it means a good time will be had by all!

In the end – new adventure and new rival!

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