Movie Review: Sonic 3

Movie Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 3

By Dave Carey

Let’s be clear from the outset: I don’t think anyone walked into Sonic the Hedgehog 3 expecting high art, but I also didn’t expect to leave the theater pondering the alarming trajectory of mainstream entertainment. This third installment of the Sonic franchise delivers exactly what its target audience—a bunch of sugar-fueled kids and nostalgic millennials—wants: rapid-fire action, colorful characters, and enough hyperactivity to rival a Saturday morning cartoon on steroids. But for an adult who never quite got the appeal of high-pitched rodents saving the world, I found myself leaning on one saving grace: Jim Carrey.

Let’s talk about Jim Carrey, who once again reprises his role as Dr. Robotnik. If there is a reason for any adult without a child to willingly pay for a ticket to this movie, it’s Carrey. Watching him on screen is like watching a masterclass in over-the-top absurdity. He doesn’t just chew the scenery; he devours it, digests it, and spits it back out with a manic energy that’s as hilarious as it is mesmerizing. Every sneer, every ridiculous monologue, every outlandish gadget—Carrey transforms what could easily be a flat cartoon villain into a Shakespearean caricature of lunacy.

Frankly, if I could have watched 90 minutes of Carrey just monologuing to himself in his absurd Eggman mustache and aviator goggles, I would have been thrilled. His performance elevates the film beyond its otherwise juvenile tone and gives it a pulse. Without him, I’d be left asking a more existential question: why are we rooting for a cast of squeaky-voiced rodents in the first place?

As a child of the pre-internet era, I’ve never fully understood the appeal of characters like Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Sure, I get it—cute animals that talk, fight, and embody various shades of “cool” appeal to kids. But for me, their antics felt less like a story and more like an endurance test. Their high-pitched banter, endless need to explain the plot mid-battle, and over-the-top emotional beats felt like a never-ending sugar rush that left me with a headache rather than a smile.

But here’s the thing: kids love this. I watched my daughter’s eyes light up during Sonic’s goofy stunts and Knuckles’ lumbering strength. For her, it wasn’t about a cohesive narrative or deep character development; it was about the spectacle, the energy, and the laughs. And while I can begrudgingly respect that, I also can’t ignore how this movie felt less like a traditional story and more like a TikTok compilation.

This brings me to my larger issue with Sonic the Hedgehog 3: its structure, or lack thereof. The movie doesn’t so much tell a story as it throws together a series of gags, pop culture references, and meme-worthy moments. Scenes rarely flow into each other in a meaningful way. Instead, it’s like the filmmakers sat in a room and asked, “What will get people to tweet about this?” The result is a movie that feels more like a chaotic collage of internet trends than a narrative designed to engage.

I fear this isn’t just a Sonic problem. Increasingly, mainstream movies are prioritizing spectacle and meme-ability over storytelling. It’s as though the goal isn’t to tell a compelling story, but to generate GIFs, reaction images, and viral moments. Sure, these moments are fun in the short term, but they don’t leave much of an impact. When the credits rolled, I didn’t feel satisfied or invested—I felt bombarded.

Don’t get me wrong: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is not a bad movie. It’s loud, colorful, and unapologetically silly, which is exactly what many viewers want. But for someone like me, who appreciates a balance of entertainment and narrative substance, it’s hard to ignore the movie’s reliance on flash over depth. It’s a sugar rush that wears off quickly, leaving little more than a vague sense of emptiness.

Jim Carrey, however, makes it worth it. His performance is a reminder of what happens when an actor fully commits, even to the most ridiculous material. He’s a comedic force of nature, and without him, this movie would have been a chore. But even Carrey’s brilliance can’t completely overshadow the larger issue at hand: the growing trend of movies prioritizing viral moments over meaningful storytelling.

I can see why Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be a hit with kids and younger audiences—it’s built for them, after all. But for me, it’s a warning sign of where we’re headed as mainstream moviegoers. When movies start to feel like a series of memes stitched together, we lose something vital: the art of storytelling. And no amount of Jim Carrey can fix that. - Dave Carey

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