Sonic is a talented blue hedgehog alien who makes friends wherever he goes.
His loyal sidekick, Tails, admires Sonic's bravery. His best two earthly friends, Tom and Maddie, have essentially adopted him, treating him as their own child. Sonic even won over a former enemy, Knuckles, who now considers Sonic a trusted ally.
And today, this quartet of Sonic's friends have joined together to celebrate his arrival on Earth with a party complete with games, songs and dessert.
"The day you came to this planet is the day all our lives changed forever," Tom tells him.
"We became a family," Maddie adds.
Unfortunately, this joyful party doesn't last too long. That's because a "rogue" alien is on the loose in Tokyo, threatening everything in its path, and law enforcement needs Team Sonic's assistance on the ground. Is it Godzilla? King Kong? Well, no.
As Sonic shockingly discovers, it's another hedgehog, a giant creature named Shadow. Incredibly, he has a striking resemblance to Sonic.
He also is -- seemingly -- more powerful.
Can Shadow be stopped?
The new movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (PG) follows the story of Sonic, Tails (a fox), and Knuckles (an echidna) as they search for answers -- and help -- in their new mission.
Here are three things parents should know about the movie.
Photo Credit: ©Sony
1. Enemies Become Friends
1. Enemies Become Friends
Sonic is the third movie in a popular franchise that launched in 2020 with Sonic the Hedgehog and then continued in 2022 with Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
In the first movie, Sonic lands in a small town in Montana with other worldly powers- he's faster than the speed of sound- but with no friends with whom to share his adventures. The U.S. government assumes Sonic is dangerous and hires an eccentric scientist, Ivo Robotnik, to investigate. Fortunately, the local sheriff, Tom Wachowski, protects him (and later adopts him).
In Sonic 2, Sonic teams up with Tails to stop the evil Robotnik, who has teamed up with a new villain, Knuckles, in search of an emerald that gives the user unlimited power. Yet in the film's final moments, Knuckles turns on Robotnik and joins with Sonic.
Sonic 3 opens with Sonic and Knuckles navigating their new friendship as they learn their roles in this new dynamic trio. (Knuckles is the muscles, Tails the "gadget guy, and Sonic the leader.)
Eventually, Team Sonic learns of Shadow's mysterious past: He was a product of a failed government experiment that transformed him from a gentle creature into a vengeful hedgehog, driven by the loss of his best friend, Maria.
Desperate for help, Team Sonic partners with Robotnik to try and stop Shadow. But will the partnership last?
Photo Credit: ©Sony
2. Family Remains the Focus
2. Family Remains the Focus
Sonic 3 is a family film that reinforces the need for … a family. It draws a contrast between the heroic Sonic -- who has a loving family -- and the nefarious tandem of Shadow and Doctor Robotnik, who did not.
"You ever wonder what your life would have been like if you had a family?" Sonic asks Robotnik. "Maybe you wouldn't have gone full super-villain."
Robotnik, for the moment, displays no regret, acknowledging he had no parents or extended family and that he enjoys his sinister life. Later, though, we watch as Robotnik's heart softens when he meets his long-lost grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. (Both are masterfully portrayed by Jim Carrey in a phenomenal example of movie magic.) They make up for lost time by donning AR glasses and riding bikes, eating ice cream, and playing on the playground.
Shadow, too, had a tragic past, losing not only his best friend but his earthly father figure -- both killed in an accident. Bitter and angry, he sets out for revenge.
Sonic found "family and friends" on Earth, while Shadow "found only pain and loss," Tom notes, illustrating the difference a family can make. It's a truth rooted in Scripture.
The film addresses another poignant subject in its final moments: the emotional pain caused by loss. Sonic admits he's still grieving the passing of his friend, Longclaw, while Shadow shares the deep pain he's carried since the death of Maria.
"I learned there's something even more powerful than pain -- the love we felt for each other. That's what you need to hold on to," Sonic tells him.
Sonic 3 also highlights the themes of second chances and redemption. Both Sonic and Robotnik are presented with the opportunity to make amends for their past mistakes.
Photo Credit: ©Sony
3. Humor Shines Throughout, with a Few Parental Speedbumps
3. Humor Shines Throughout, with a Few Parental Speedbumps
Sonic 3 is just as humorous as its predecessors, driven by a smart script and the antics, charisma, talent, and energy of Jim Carrey. As Grandfather Robotnik, he belts out Barbra Streisand's The Way We Were ("Memories") as he wakes up from a long sleep. As Doctor Robotnik, he dishes out zinger after zinger, ribbing everything from Sonic (he calls him an "emotional support animal") to a former assistant ("I'll miss your lattes with steamed Austrian goat milk").
The film's comedic highlight, though, involves a high-energy dance sequence between both Robotniks -- each portrayed, of course, by Carrey. Navigating a laser-filled room, the duo delivers a perfectly timed blend of humor and chaos with synchronized choreography.
Sonic 3 is a fun film, but it does have a few speed bumps for families, including innuendo. The younger Robotnik boasts that he's attractive to all genders. Later, he tells his assistant, who had been tied to a chair: "Why are you tied up? Do that on your own time. You sicken me." Meanwhile, Sonic 3 features a disappointing amount of coarse language for a PG-rated film aimed at families (details below).
But if you can overlook its flaws, the film has several solid lessons for families. Sonic 3 is every bit as entertaining as its predecessors. Few film franchises can claim that.
Rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor, thematic elements, and mild language. Language details: bada-- (1), d--n (2), h-ll (1), OMG (2), my G-d (1). Also: manboobs (1).
Discussion questions for families: What difference does having a good family make in a person's life? (Follow-up: How does this influence the way you treat the people in your circle?) Can you think of a time when someone gave you a second chance or when you forgave someone? How can remembering love help us deal with loss?
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Family-friendly rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Photo Credit: ©Sony
Originally published January 15, 2025.
