How (and why) Sonic 3 did everything right?

Although it might seem like I’ve chosen the wrong category, this article is exactly where it belongs. The Sonic movies are not just a "guilty pleasure" - as much as I dislike that term - but a testament to what cinematic adaptations can achieve and how the film industry is capable of reinventing itself to create something fresh, entertaining, and almost universally loved.

However, it’s important to remember that this story, which today seems to have a happy ending, didn’t exactly start off on the right foot.

A bittersweet beginning

The first live-action Sonic movie was announced in 2019 with great fanfare…and a disastrous character design that instantly earned the scorn of the entire internet. Fans and non-fans alike rejected it (and rightly so), with such a poor artistic decision spelling doom for the franchise. The outlook was grim: yet another bad video game adaptation was on its way to the big screen.

Then, in a completely unexpected move - likely condemned by Paramount's accounting department - they decided to backtrack and redesign the world’s most famous hedgehog. The result? A more cartoon-like version that was faithful to the original and pleasing to the eye.

The audience appreciated the change, making the first film not only profitable but a modest success. While its numbers weren’t astronomical, they were good enough to greenlight a sequel.

Some believe that the whole 'Ugly Sonic' situation was nothing more than a marketing stunt, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. That initial version of the character was everywhere: models, concept art, fully rendered scenes, toys, official merchandise, and even early sketches for a collaboration with McDonald’s. All of it had to be scrapped (thankfully) and erased from existence.

There’s no official figure, but losses are estimated to have exceeded $5 million. As someone who has worked in this field, I can tell you that’s an astronomical amount for a campaign of that scale. So no, this wasn’t some “master strategy” from Paramount - it was a mistake they were fortunate enough to correct.

The saga then progressed to a second movie that was even better, with more memorable moments, beloved new characters, and a series that serves as a bridge between the second and third films. With this, they’ve gone all in, setting the stage for the franchise's definitive project.

The (utterly complex) recipe for success

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what made this saga great in the first place, because it’s not about a single element but rather the combination of several. What’s important is that all of these elements are magnified in the third film, which is undoubtedly the peak of the franchise and not only stands as its highest point but also as a benchmark for measuring future adaptations to the big screen.

The first and most notable factor is the respect and love they have for the source material. While each movie hasn’t adapted a specific Sonic video game, they have drawn on various elements from them, and for the final installment of the trilogy, they’ve decided to incorporate many aspects of Sonic Adventure 2, one of the most beloved entries by fans and a key game for SEGA, Sonic’s parent company.

To understand the impact of Sonic Adventure 2, one must consider the cultural and social aspects from over two decades ago. Its significance, not only for the continuation of Sonic’s video game series but in popular culture as well, is immense. It was a leap forward in every way: in terms of gameplay, art, narrative, and more.

But what matters most about Sonic Adventure 2 is the spirit it encapsulates. It’s not just the message it conveys but the essence it holds—an essence that, more than twenty years later, is still palpable when you pick up the controller and play the game. It’s a journey into the past; it represents the early 2000s through and through: huge explosions, impossible technology, punk rock guitars, and, of course, skateboards.

All of this is conveyed in Sonic 3, a movie that not only captures ‘that something’ from the game that inspires it as a film but also knows how to adapt it to the cinematic medium, putting it on the table while understanding its identity as a movie.

It’s not just the fact that the film includes references to the video game, such as the iconic jump to the helicopter with a famous line or the fanservice of Super Sonic and Super Shadow fighting side by side. It’s about the attention to detail in the small things, like a song placed at just the right moment, settings faithful to the original material, and a deeper development of characters we already knew.

Success lies beyond replication

None of this would work on its own without the crucial element of respecting the source material while also being willing to diverge from it. Giving the saga and its characters a distinct identity separate from the video games is another key ingredient in the recipe for this franchise’s success.

There are storylines and subplots in the movies that don’t exist in the Sonic games. Among them is the human world, which, while considered irrelevant or even annoying by some, develops throughout the films to the point of creating moderately interesting characters who end up driving the story forward.

Without these additions, the adventures of the characters we do care about wouldn’t have as much meaning. That said, not all of these additions are detrimental to the saga - quite the opposite. Agent Stone, Eggman’s assistant and an original creation for the movies, has become one of the most beloved characters in the franchise.

Perhaps it’s due to a strong performance, solid writing, or a mix of both. Either way, he’s the perfect example of how a good adaptation can build upon the existing material without negatively impacting the already established universe.

But there’s one more detail that, in my opinion, acts as the pinch of salt giving the film its unique flavor - something that, without it, would leave the movie lost in the annals of history without much fanfare.

A cast beyond perfection

Most of the praise inevitably goes to Jim Carrey, a legendary actor who has proven his versatility in comedy, drama, and a range of other genres. His involvement in this project is nothing short of a miracle, as he had previously announced what seemed as a definitive retirement, stating:

"If the angels bring some sort of script that's written in gold ink that says to me that it's going to be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road, but I'm taking a break."

Many would have expected the project to lure him back to be a complex and elaborate drama, a film worthy of every accolade. But who would have guessed that out of all the possibilities, Sonic would be the one to bring him out of retirement?

His portrayal of Ivo Robotnik (a.k.a. Eggman) deserves every bit of applause it gets. However, the character’s success is also due to the creative freedom Carrey was given during production. This allowed him to fully embody Eggman, making the role his own and using his unique abilities to elevate the saga’s most iconic villain.

The best part? In Sonic 3, we get twice the Jim Carrey.

What could be better than Jim Carrey on screen? Simple: two Jim Carreys on screen - at the same time.

While Carrey is undoubtedly one of the film’s strongest assets, the rest of the cast is equally impressive. Ben Schwartz - known for stellar voice performances in shows like BoJack Horseman or TMNT: Rise - seems born to play Sonic. His teammates, Idris Elba and Colleen O'Shaughnessey, are also perfect fits for their roles.

Keanu Reeves, Hollywood’s favorite tough guy, stars as Shadow, the movie’s antagonist. His performance is so flawless it’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing the character to life. Add to that the appearances of familiar faces like Krysten Ritter, James Marsden, and Adam Pally, who round out and enrich the cast even further.

But overall, an honest movie

Of course, Sonic 3 isn’t without its flaws. At times, the green screen effects are glaringly obvious, the plot feels simple in a sort of aspects, and its focus on a younger audience occasionally results in jokes that are overly crude or banal.

However, the film’s strengths are so numerous that it’s easy to overlook these relatively minor issues. This isn’t an auteur film or an independent art-house production. It’s a very (very) Hollywood movie, one that’s clear about its expectations and target audience. What makes it stand out is its honesty - it knows exactly what it wants to achieve, and it does so spectacularly.

The film is aware of its weaknesses but makes up for them with clever jokes, fun references, a flawless pace, and unforgettable moments for both new and longtime Sonic fans. And, of course, it radiates love for the franchise, which has now become a celebrated trilogy - something that, not even a decade ago, seemed impossible to achieve.

You could say that, in one way or another, the success of Sonic 3 came from living and learning from the mistakes made in the past on the franchise. Pun intended.