Three Insights for Parents about ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’

Sonic, a gifted blue hedgehog alien, has a knack for making friends wherever he ventures. His faithful sidekick, Tails, looks up to Sonic’s courage. His two closest human friends on Earth, Tom and Maddie, have essentially taken him in as their own child. Sonic has even won over a former adversary, Knuckles, who now regards him as a reliable ally.
Today, these four friends of Sonic’s have gathered to throw a party in celebration of his arrival on Earth, complete with games, songs, and delicious desserts.
Tom tells him, “The day you came to this planet is the day all our lives changed forever.”
Maddie adds, “We became a family.”
Sadly, this jubilant party doesn’t endure for long. There’s a “rogue” alien on the loose in Tokyo, endangering everything in its path, and the law enforcement requires the assistance of Team Sonic on the ground. Is it Godzilla or King Kong? No.
To Sonic’s astonishment, it turns out to be another hedgehog, a colossal creature named Shadow. Remarkably, he bears a strong resemblance to Sonic and appears to be even more powerful. Can Shadow be halted?
The new movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (PG) chronicles the journey of Sonic, Tails (a fox), and Knuckles (an echidna) as they seek answers and assistance in their new mission. Here are three key points parents should be aware of regarding this film.

1. Enemies Transforming into Friends

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the third installment in a popular series that debuted in 2020 with Sonic the Hedgehog and continued in 2022 with Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
In the first movie, Sonic lands in a small town in Montana, possessing otherworldly powers – he’s faster than the speed of sound – yet without any friends to share his escapades. The U.S. government deems Sonic dangerous and hires an eccentric scientist, Ivo Robotnik, to look into it. Fortunately, the local sheriff, Tom Wachowski, safeguards him (and later adopts him).
In Sonic 2, Sonic teams up with Tails to thwart the evil Robotnik, who has joined forces with a new villain, Knuckles, in pursuit of an emerald that grants the user unlimited power. However, in the closing moments of the film, Knuckles turns against Robotnik and allies with Sonic.
Sonic 3 commences with Sonic and Knuckles navigating their new friendship and determining their roles within this fresh dynamic trio. (Knuckles is the brawn, Tails the “gadget expert,” and Sonic the leader.)
Eventually, Team Sonic uncovers Shadow’s mysterious past: He was the outcome of a failed government experiment that transformed him from a gentle being into a vengeful hedgehog, spurred by the loss of his best friend, Maria.
Desperate for help, Team Sonic forms a partnership with Robotnik in an attempt to stop Shadow. But will this alliance hold?

2. Family as the Central Theme

Sonic 3 is a family-oriented film that underlines the significance of family. It juxtaposes the heroic Sonic, who has a loving family, with the villainous duo of Shadow and Doctor Robotnik, who lack one.
Sonic asks Robotnik, “You ever wonder what your life would have been like if you had a family? Maybe you wouldn’t have become a full-fledged super-villain.”
At first, Robotnik shows no remorse, admitting he had no parents or extended family and that he relishes his sinister lifestyle. Later, though, we witness Robotnik’s heart softening when he encounters his long-lost grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. (Both are brilliantly portrayed by Jim Carrey in an outstanding display of movie magic.) They make up for lost time by donning AR glasses, riding bikes, eating ice cream, and playing on the playground.
Shadow also has a tragic past, having lost not only his best friend but also his earthly father figure – both perished in an accident. Bitter and angry, he sets out for revenge.
As Tom observes, Sonic found “family and friends” on Earth, while Shadow “found only pain and loss,” highlighting the impact a family can have. This is a truth deeply rooted in Scripture.
The film also delves into another poignant topic in its final moments: the emotional anguish caused by loss. Sonic confesses he’s still mourning the death of his friend, Longclaw, while Shadow shares the profound pain he’s carried since Maria’s passing.
Sonic tells him, “I learned there’s something even more potent than pain – the love we felt for each other. That’s what you need to hold on to.”
Sonic 3 also spotlights the themes of second chances and redemption. Both Sonic and Robotnik are presented with opportunities to atone for their past errors.

3. Humor Galore with Some Parental Concerns

Sonic 3 is as humorous as its predecessors, driven by a clever 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”) upon waking from a long sleep. As Doctor Robotnik, he fires off one witty remark after another, poking fun at everything from Sonic (calling him an “emotional support animal”) to a former assistant (“I’ll miss your lattes with steamed Austrian goat milk”).
The comedic peak of the film, however, is a high-energy dance sequence involving both Robotniks – both played, of course, by Carrey. Navigating a room filled with lasers, the duo executes a perfectly timed combination of humor and chaos with synchronized choreography.
Sonic 3 is an enjoyable film, but it does present a few hurdles for families, such as innuendo. The younger Robotnik brags that he’s attractive to all genders. Later, he tells his assistant, who has been tied to a chair: “Why are you tied up? Do that on your own time. You sicken me.” Additionally, Sonic 3 contains a surprisingly large amount of coarse language for a PG-rated film intended for families (details below).
But if you can disregard its flaws, the film offers several valuable lessons for families. Sonic 3 is just as entertaining as its predecessors. Few film franchises can make such a claim.
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?