Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Review: "Keanu Reeves as Shadow Is Wasted While Jim Carrey Steals the Show"

Introduction

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 arrives as one of the most anticipated video game adaptations of the year, continuing the high-energy, family-friendly adventure of the Blue Blur. With the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by none other than Keanu Reeves, expectations were sky-high.

However, while Reeves’ Shadow is an exciting addition, the film fails to make full use of his character, instead relying once again on Jim Carrey’s over-the-top performance as Dr. Robotnik to carry the movie. But does Sonic 3 maintain the momentum of its predecessors, or is this the first stumble in the franchise? Let’s dive in.

Plot Summary: A Battle for Chaos and Control

The movie picks up right after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and Knuckles (Idris Elba) have settled into life on Earth, protecting their new home from intergalactic threats.

But peace doesn’t last long when the government’s Project Shadow is unleashed, awakening Shadow the Hedgehog, a mysterious, hyper-powerful rival to Sonic. Manipulated by a revived and even crazier Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), Shadow becomes a lethal force of destruction.

With the fate of the world at stake, Sonic must face his most dangerous opponent yet, while also uncovering the truth behind Shadow’s tragic past and the power of the Chaos Emeralds.

Keanu Reeves as Shadow: A Wasted Opportunity?

When Keanu Reeves was announced as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog, fans were ecstatic. His deep, brooding voice seemed perfect for the edgy anti-hero, but the final execution falls short of expectations.

Shadow’s screen time is disappointingly limited, making him feel more like a side character rather than a true co-lead.
His dialogue lacks depth, failing to explore the emotional turmoil and tragic backstory that makes Shadow so compelling in the games.
Reeves’ performance feels underutilized, as if he wasn’t given enough material to fully flesh out the character.

Shadow’s presence is cool, but it doesn’t hit as hard as it should, especially for longtime fans who were hoping for a proper deep dive into his character arc.

Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik: Still the Best Part of the Franchise

On the other hand, Jim Carrey returns with an absolutely unhinged performance, proving once again why he’s the heart and soul of this franchise.

His cartoonishly evil genius antics are turned up even higher, making him both hilarious and genuinely menacing.
Carrey embraces his full 90s-era absurdity, channeling his iconic roles from The Mask and Ace Ventura.
He brings chaotic energy that keeps the film’s momentum going, even when the story struggles to balance its many characters.

It’s clear that Carrey is having a blast, and his larger-than-life presence steals every scene he’s in—which might be both a blessing and a curse, considering how much it overshadows Shadow’s importance to the film.

Action & Animation: Fast, Flashy, but Sometimes Messy

As expected from a Sonic movie, the action sequences are fast-paced, colorful, and exciting.

✔ Sonic vs. Shadow battles are beautifully animated, showcasing their incredible speed and chaos-powered abilities.
✔ Knuckles and Tails get their moments to shine, though they sometimes feel pushed to the side.
✔ The film embraces game-accurate visuals, with stunning locations inspired by Green Hill Zone, Space Colony ARK, and other classic levels.

However, some sequences feel too busy, with CGI overload drowning out key emotional moments—particularly in the final showdown.

Comedy & Family Appeal: Fun but a Bit Overstuffed

The humor that made the first two Sonic movies fun is still here, but Sonic 3 sometimes tries too hard to be funny, cramming in too many jokes at the expense of story depth.

✔ Sonic and Tails’ buddy-comedy dynamic remains strong.
✔ Knuckles’ clueless warrior humor (inspired by Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy) still gets plenty of laughs.
✔ Jim Carrey’s Robotnik is laugh-out-loud hilarious.

But with so many characters in play, the movie struggles to give everyone enough meaningful screen time, leading to a story that feels rushed.

Where the Film Falls Short

✖ Shadow feels like an afterthought rather than a fully realized antagonist.
✖ Keanu Reeves isn’t given enough material to truly bring Shadow to life.
✖ Some emotional beats don’t land because the film prioritizes comedy and action.
✖ The final battle is visually spectacular but lacks the emotional weight it should have.

Final Verdict: A Fun Ride That Falls Short of Its Potential

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is still a fun, action-packed movie for fans of the franchise, but it misses the opportunity to make Shadow as compelling as he should be.

While Jim Carrey steals the show once again, Keanu Reeves’ Shadow feels underdeveloped, which might leave die-hard fans feeling disappointed. The film tries to do too much, and in doing so, loses some of the depth and impact that could have made it truly great.

Pros:

✔ Jim Carrey is at his absolute best as Dr. Robotnik
✔ The action is fast, thrilling, and visually stunning
✔ Lots of fun for fans of Sonic and family audiences

Cons:

✖ Keanu Reeves’ Shadow is underutilized
✖ Too many characters, making the story feel cluttered
✖ Emotional beats are sacrificed for comedy and action

Rating: 7.5/10

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a fun but flawed sequel, delivering exciting action and great comedy, but not fully capitalizing on the emotional depth of its story—especially when it comes to Shadow.

While casual audiences and younger fans will still enjoy the film, longtime Sonic fans might walk away wishing for a stronger, more developed portrayal of one of the franchise’s most iconic characters.