“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is the sequel to both “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.” “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” was released on April 8, 2022, following “Sonic the Hedgehog” in 2020.  “Sonic 3” has made a total of $405.42 million worldwide.  The first Sonic made a total of $319.7 million worldwide, while the second Sonic film made over $400 million.

The latest Sonic is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars and has 69% rotten tomatoes. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” was released on December 20, 2024, and grossed $62 million on its opening weekend, exceeding expectations. The movie has grossed a total of over $1 billion worldwide, doubling its prequel’s income. Many people are still going to theaters to watch this movie, even months after it was released.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” takes place in Green Hills, Montana, and Sonic is ready to prove he has what it takes to be a hero. While this is happening, Dr. Robotnik teams up with Knuckles to find the mystical emerald and use it to destroy civilization. Sonic gets word of the plans the doctor and Knuckles have, and teams up with his sidekick, Tails, to find the emerald before them. Before the showdown, Knuckles realizes that he is betraying his brothers by helping Dr. Robotnik, and fights alongside Sonic and Tails to keep the emerald from getting into the wrong hands. In the final fight, the emerald is destroyed into seven shards and Sonic and his team scatter them across the world.

In my opinion, “Sonic 3” is far better than its prequel, “Sonic 2.” “Sonic 3” has better visuals, graphics, and advanced CGI than “Sonic 2.”  The plot of the movie is also by far more interesting and exciting than the previous movie. I would personally rate the movie a 9/10, and its prequel a 6/10. I 100% recommend this movie, and if you haven’t watched it, you definitely should go. For everyone who hasn’t seen the movie, be warned, there are spoilers ahead. 

Sonic the Hedgehog, a name that instantly paints a picture in one’s head, is a blue little hedgehog known for his ability to run faster than the speed of sound, hence his name. As hedgehogs can, Sonic can also roll up into a ball, which he mainly uses to attack his enemies. Born on Christmas Island, Sonic left his home at a very young age and has been accompanied in his many adventures by his best friends, Tails and Knuckles, who are also special hedgehogs. 

In 1974, a meteorite containing Shadow, another special hedgehog, cratered into the state of Oklahoma. Shadow and his power are experimented on by Professor Gerald Robotnik, who worked at a research laboratory owned by a corporation called Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.), Shadow creates a very close bond with the professor’s daughter Maria, and one night as Maria, The professor, and Shadow try escaping the laboratory, and Maria is killed in an explosion. The captain of the whole research project, Captain Walters, shuts down the laboratory, imprisons Robotnik, and freezes Shadow. 

Fifty years later, in 2024, an anonymous individual hacks into a G.U.N. prison facility’s system off the coast of Japan and releases Shadow. One evening, in Green Hills, Montana, while racing through the forest, Sonic is surprised by a dark, shadowy figure. This is Shadow the Hedgehog, another hedgehog created from the same energy source that gave Sonic his powers. Shadow is as fast as Sonic but carries an unfriendly, vengeful attitude. Shadow makes it clear that he means business and is here to get what he wants. 

Despite their disagreements, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are forced to team up to uncover a more powerful threat than Shadow, an ancient being known as Chaos, whose power is tied directly to the Master Emerald’s energy. Chaos is looking to harness the Master Emerald to merge with the chaos shards, and in this process, it could destroy the world. 

Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails travel to Angel Island, where Knuckles is the last line of defense for the Master Emerald. Along the way, they encounter huge battles against robotic enemies and increasingly difficult terrain, with Eggman occasionally showing up. Tails tries his hardest to find a way to stabilize the chaos energy, and Knuckles gradually starts to trust Sonic, realizing that they share the same goal: to save the world and humanity. The group discovers that Chaos isn’t just an ancient entity, but a reflection of the Master Emerald’s emotional energy. Chaos gains strength with every negative emotion.

The showdown takes place in a massive battle inside the Floating Island’s temple, where Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles confront Chaos. The battle is fought with speed, light, and destruction as the chaos energy damages the environment. Sonic and Shadow race against each other and Chaos itself, while Knuckles tries to protect the Master Emerald from falling into the wrong hands.

In the final moments of the showdown, Sonic and Shadow must put aside their differences and work together to channel the combined power of the Master Emerald, the Chaos Emeralds, and their abilities. The epic showdown culminates in Sonic reaching his ultimate power, unlocking a new form, Super Sonic. Although you would think Sonic was the hero of the story, it is Shadow who ultimately saves the day by sacrificing his power to create a barrier that seals Chaos away. As peace is restored and the chaos energy dissipates, Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Shadow stand together, realizing that their true strength lies in unity. Shadow, no longer driven by vengeance, decides to stay on Earth to protect it from future threats, though he remains a mysterious figure on his path.

At the end of the film, Sonic is seen racing toward the sunset, his heart filled with hope, love, and joy. He and Tails laugh together and get ready for whatever comes next.

Birmingham Charter High School Student Jacob Valenica (10) explains, “I thought the movie was good, but it was a bit confusing at times and felt jumbled up. Overall, the plot of the story was good, and I liked it when Shadow and Sonic teamed up to take down Chaos and Dr. Eggman. My favorite part of the movie was when Sonic turned into “Super Sonic.” I would rate the movie a solid 9/10.” Another Birmingham student, Angi Aguilar (10), stated, “The movie was okay, the only reason I went to watch it was because of my little brother. I don’t remember much because I didn’t pay attention, but I liked the ending where Sonic was laughing with the yellow fox [Tails]. I would rate the movie about a 5/10, it wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t horrible.”