I was a little surprised when this became slightly more popular than its predecessors, especially with critics. I thought that Shadow the Hedgehog's star had faded, judging by his near absence from recent video games and TV shows. But perhaps his signature angst really speaks to modern cinema's favorite demographic, teens. When the movie came up on a menu at the Red Cross, I went right for it.
The three ET friends who make up "Team Sonic" -- Sonic (Ben Schwarz), Tails the Fox (Colleen O'Shaughnessey), and Knuckles the Echidna (Idris Elba) -- are not world-famous yet, but the government has an improved opinion of them, as evidenced by a request that they help neutralize a powerful threat. Shadow (Keanu Reeves, once again playing an alleged ultimate life form) has escaped from a secret facility, and despite 50 years of stasis, he can hold his own against all of Team Sonic together. Also newly free after 50 years is the spry grandfather of Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik (Jim Carrey), Prof. Gerald Robotnik (also Carrey), who used to study Shadow with his consent. Both of them are so furious at what the government unjustly did in connection with their project that they plan to kill far more than the guilty parties.
Fans had told me that the flick was highly faithful to the game canon, but I notice a few deviations. For one thing, Shadow is now identified as an alien rather than a lab creation. Just as well; the original story is more complicated than necessary. He can also teleport rather than just move fast, enabling Nightcrawler-style takedowns. And it's now clear that 50 years ago means the '70s, not the '50s. More importantly, Gerald used to be depicted as morally nuanced; now he tries to destroy everything within a wide radius of Earth, including himself, without regard for what Ivo's sweet cousin Maria (Alyla Browne) would have wanted. What better way to induce a shaky alliance between Team Sonic and Eggman?
I imagine that one reason for the increase in ratings is that the stakes are much higher. The heroes aren't just defending themselves anymore. The tradeoff, of course, is that this comedy is a bit darker than before. Several humans apparently die, tho no character says so directly. This may explain why fewer humans seem childishly over the top. Shadow himself is rarely remotely played for laughs, unlike similarly self-serious Knuckles. At least there's less vulgarity this time, notwithstanding Eggman's Thor-like degeneration.
In the off chance you've been looking forward to more of Sonic's adoptive family, Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) get one important scene and little screen time for bonding. Other returning humans of good alignment get less. That said, I'll finally mention Eggman's only organic minion, Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub), who regrets being pushed aside for Gerald -- and gets to do something cool for once. Oh, and he might be gay.
From a philosophical standpoint, the plot is awkward at best. I can understand antihero Shadow going down such a dark path, but you'd think Gerald's fun with his remaining grandchild, who hopes to reign supreme, would be enough to dissuade him from omnicide. Furthermore, in the third act, Sonic is faulted for pursuing a power upgrade to exact vengeance on Shadow. When the world's at stake, I'd sooner interpret his aim as protection. It certainly doesn't put him on the same tier of corruption.
Nonetheless, I am considering the merits of calling StH3 the best in the series so far (yes, another sequel is teased). I never felt downright embarrassed to be watching, and there are indeed some choice moments. It's just a bit different, as was always the case where Shadow is concerned.
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