Warning: Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.The first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies were major successes, and the series' newest film arrived in theaters on December 20. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 takes the film to tremendous new heights, venturing to locations like Tokyo, London, and even space throughout the movie. The first two films are already memorable for their hilarious pop culture references and their memorable cast of characters, including Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Idris Elba as Knuckles, but the third film expands on that.
Keanu Reeves provides the voice for a fan-favorite Sonic character from the video games, the dark antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, who seeks revenge on those who trapped him for half a century. Jim Carrey returns as Ivo Robotnik, and plays double duty as he puts on prosthetics to also play Ivo's grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. Sonic and his friends spend much of the film's first two acts learning the backstories of the series' newest characters and catching up with old characters like Ivo. Leading up to the film's ending, Sonic's team must work to stop the Robotniks and Shadow from getting a keycard that will allow them to activate a superweapon with the ability to destroy the world.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Action
Adventure
Comedy
- Release Date
- December 20, 2024
- Runtime
- 109 Minutes
- Cast
- Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Tika Sumpter, Lee Majdoub, James Marsden, Jim Carrey
Gerald Robotnik Betrays Ivo and Reveals Earth-Ending Plan
As Sonic the Hedgehog 3 enters the final act, Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald use a stolen keycard to activate the Eclipse Cannon, which Gerald built. Ivo helped Gerald hijack the cannon to destroy the headquarters of the Guardian Units of Nations (referred to as G.U.N. in the film), which had Gerald imprisoned for 50 years. Ivo and Gerald, along with Shadow the Hedgehog, ascend into space in the cannon's station.
While in space, Gerald Robotnik unveils new suits he had designed for Gerald and Ivo. Gerald then commands Shadow to charge up the cannon with the hedgehog's chaos energy. Confused, Ivo asks why Gerald needs that much energy to blow up the G.U.N. headquarters. Gerald reveals that he actually wants to blow up the whole world, which will also kill Ivo and Gerald in the process.
It's revealed through flashbacks that G.U.N. killed Gerald's granddaughter Maria while trying to capture Shadow, and Gerald wants revenge. Shadow was friends with Maria, which is why he's willing to help Gerald. Ivo isn't as keen about Gerald's plan, because if the world is destroyed, there will be nothing left for Ivo to conquer.
Sonic Changes Shadow's Heart in an Epic Battle
While getting the keycard to activate the Eclipse Cannon, Shadow knocks out Sonic's adoptive father, Tom Wachowski. This angers Sonic, and Sonic abandons his team to get the Master Emerald from Wade Whipple to stop the Robotniks and Shadow. Sonic unleashes the power of the emerald as he transforms into his golden form, Super Sonic, and he flies into space.
Sonic crashes through the Eclipse Cannon station, and Gerald sends Shadow after him. Shadow and Sonic crash back down to Earth, and Sonic loses grip of the Master Emerald, splitting it into the seven Chaos Emeralds. Sonic and Shadow both lunge for the emeralds, and each hedgehog gets roughly half of the chaos power.
Related
'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Review: Jim Carrey's Fantastic in a Third Chapter that Exceeds Expectations
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails must ally with their greatest enemy to face a powerful new threat.
Super Sonic and Super Shadow continue battling across the world. Their battle takes them all the way to the moon, where the hedgehogs stop and talk to each other. Sonic talks about the love he's felt in his life, on his home planet and on Earth, and Shadow reflects on the love Maria had for him. Shadow decides that Maria would not have wanted him to help Gerald Robotnik exact revenge on the world, and he agrees to help Sonic.
Shadow and Ivo Redeem Themselves Through Sacrifice
Back at the station, Ivo Robotnik fights his grandfather using powers from his new suit. However, Gerald overpowers Ivo and almost sends Ivo into space, but Tails and Knuckles arrive to help Ivo. They push Gerald into the cannon's energy source, destroying the evil scientist.
Meanwhile, Sonic and Shadow use their super forms to block the cannon's laser from reaching Earth. Shadow sustains the laser's force, but Sonic is knocked out. Tails and Knuckles exit the space station and fly back down to Earth, picking up Sonic on their way and using a gold ring as a portal to land safely.
Related
The 10 Best Video Game Movie Adaptations, Ranked
Here's a ranking of the most noteworthy, impactful video game movie adaptions to date.
In space, Shadow and Ivo Robotnik learn that they can't reverse the cannon's impact. Instead, they decide to push the laser away from Earth to save the world. Shadow pushes on the outside of the station, and Ivo controls the cannon from the inside. Before the cannon's full power is unleashed, Ivo sends a video transmission to Earth, where he thanks Agent Stone for being his friend. The Eclipse Cannon collapses on itself, leaving a black hole outside Earth's atmosphere.
Back on Earth, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles reunite with Tom and Maddie Wachowski. Tom has mostly recovered, though his arm is in a sling, and the group enjoys a relaxing camping trip. Tom isn't the only one who recuperates, as a post-credits scene shows that Shadow the Hedgehog is still alive.
