The video game curse seems to have lifted in recent years. For what seemed like decades before, movie studios, for years, could not get a decent live-action video game adaptation to the screen. Sure, there were dozens of them, but they had a reputation for being awful. Now that the hump seems to be overcome—not to mention studios making quality films out of seemingly unadaptable material like “The LEGO Movie” and “Barbie”— the successful “Sonic The Hedgehog” franchise returns with its third installment.
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Once again directed by Jeff Fowler, “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” is the latest in the series that has done quite well for Paramount—so much so that they released a spin-off series on Paramount+, “Knuckles” featuring Idris Elba’s character (read our review here).
For those unaware of the ‘Sonic’ series, the action-adventure comedy film centers on a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds. The hedgehog comes to Earth from another dimension and teams up with a town sheriff to stop the mad scientist, Dr. Robotnik.
The film stars Ben Schwartz (as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog), James Marsden as the Sheriff, and Jim Carrey as Robotnik. Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Tika Sumpter, Tom Butler, and Idris Elba also star, reprising their roles from the previous two installments.
Newcomers to the cast include Keanu Reeves as the hedgehog Shadow, who is seemingly a villain in this series entry, at least at first. Also, Krysten Ritter, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, James Wolk, and Jorma Taccone are in the cast. Longtime fans are likely hoping Ritter plays the hedgehog Amy, but so far, her role has been undisclosed.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
‘Sonic’ films are surprisingly enjoyable, even for adults, and some kids go crazy for the series. It’ll be a good bet that “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” will be the highest-grossing in the series. The film lands in theaters via Paramount Pictures on December 20, 2024. Watch the new trailer below.