Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Warning: this article contains spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 32024 was a very exciting year for movies, and one of the most anticipated releases of the year wasSonic the Hedgehog 3, the latest film in the very successfulSonic the Hedgehogfilm series.
The film has the highestRotten Tomatoes score of anySonicfilm, with a lot ofSonic 3’s reviewsfocused on the film’s introduction of one of the most iconic characters in the franchise, Shadow.
WhileShadow’s introduction came duringSonic 3, he was actually briefly teased at the end ofSonic the Hedgehog 2, in the film’s post-credits scene, to set up the next entry.
However,the tease at the end of the previous film is interesting in how it differs from what happens in the actual movie, as they both show a very different version of the same event.Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s endingalso teases what is coming forSonic 4, so the differences between the second and third films may indicate howSonic 4will switch things up.
Shadow’s Prison In Sonic 3 Is Very Different From Sonic 2’s Post-Credits Scene
Both Scenes Show A Very Different Prison For The Ultimate Lifeform
After Robotnik is defeated at the end ofSonic the Hedgehog 2, there is a post-credits scene where Commander Walters discusses files with a subordinate that give details on Project Shadow while the camera cuts to Shadow the Hedgehog in some sort of containment unit.
However, Prison Island, one ofSonic 3’s many video game references, is visually very different, with one of the big differences being thatSonic 2shows Shadow frozen in ice, while inSonic 3he is in a liquid containment unit.
Cast Member
Sonic 3Character
Keanu Reeves
Shadow the Hedgehog
Ben Schwartz
Sonic the Hedgehog
Idris Elba
Knuckles the Echidna
Colleen O’Shaughnessey
Tails the Fox
Jim Carrey
Doctor Eggman
James Marsden
Tom Wachowski
Tika Sumpter
Maddie Wachowski
The post-credits scene is also strange in the context ofSonic the Hedgehog 3, becauseCommander Walters is seemingly learning about where Project Shadow is for the first time, acting surprised that they found files relating to it, when the newest film makes it seem as if Shadow has been in G.U.N captivity since thedeath of Maria 50 years prior toSonic 3.
Shadow is kept on a small prison island that seems to be entirely dedicated to keeping him secure, butSonic 2’s post-credits scene implies that G.U.N had no idea where he was.
Sonic 3 Retcons Shadow Waking Up In Sonic The Hedgehog 2’s Credits
Shadow Is Still Unconscious At The Start Of Sonic 3
Another change fromSonic 2toSonic 3is that, inSonic 2, Shadow’s eyes open and sparkle with energy right as the film ends, obviouslyimplying that the character woke up at that moment, and that the next film will pick up right where the previous ended.
Paramount Pictures
However, clearly, that didn’t happen, asSonic the Hedgehog 3takes place a few years after 2, and Shadow has supposedly been asleep for the last 50 years, and only wakes up whenGerald Robotnik hacks G.U.N’s systemsand frees him.
Simply relying on the audience’s knowledge of what happened at the end of the last movie would probably leave a lot of moviegoers a little lost, at least for the first act.
The reason for this disconnect between the two films is likely simply a desire to generate hype at the end ofSonic 2, but then the filmmakers found that they wanted Shadow to have his own bespoke introduction during the third movie.
Paramount Pictures
It makes sense, as Shadow’s prison escape is a great scene, though not quite asepic asSonic 3’s final battle, and simplyrelying on the audience’s knowledge of what happened at the end of the last movie would probably leave a lot of moviegoers a little lost, at least for the first act.
Even How Shadow Is Restrained Is Different In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
There Are Very Few Similarities Between The Two Depictions
Sonic 2’s post-credits scene shows Shadow on ice, but he is also restrained in multiple ways, with two large restraints around his wrists, two around his legs, and then a large cuff around his stomach keeping him in place.
However, inSonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow is in a G.U.N facility,and there are no restraints keeping him in place, as he is simply floating asleep in a tank.
The difference in his conditions is odd, but not entirely unexpected, especially considering the other changes made to his prison.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reveals that Doctor Ivo Robotnik is still alive after Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and here’s what the film says about his survival.
While the changes seen between the two versions of Shadow’s prison are very stark when comparing them directly, in the actual movie, it doesn’t come off as a surprise, and fits quite naturally with the spirit of the world and characters that theprevious two entries in theSonicfranchiseset up.
Even Shadow’s design is quite fundamentally different when directly compared, butSonic the Hedgehog 3’s major changes to Shadow’s introduction still don’t take away from how excellent they are.
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Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow.
With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
