Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Should Close The Book on Its Human Characters

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Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Should Close The Book on Its Human Characters

Key Takeaways

  • Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves, adds a serious tone to Sonic 3, may close human-focused chapter in franchise.
  • Human characters like Tom & Maddie may not be necessary, may hinder focus on Sonic and animal friends.
  • Sonic 3 provides opportunity for change in tone, allowing for adventures focusing on established game characters.

As a gamer with over 20 years of experience under my belt and countless hours spent running through Green Hill Zone, I must say that the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie has me more excited than a Chili Dog at a Mug N’ Munch! The introduction of Shadow, voiced by the one and only Keanu Reeves, adds a serious tone to the franchise that has been missing for far too long. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a bit of darkness in their platforming adventures?

Anticipation for the upcoming third “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie is high, thanks in part to the introduction of Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves. While audiences were already eager after a glimpse of him at the end of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”, excitement has grown following the acclaim of “Sonic x Shadow Generations”. With his darker background and the franchise’s saddest tale, Shadow adds a more somber tone, as suggested by the trailers which have adopted a more serious and subdued style. This shift could potentially mark a departure from some of the zaniest elements that have defined the film series up until now.

As a die-hard Sonic fan, I can’t help but feel that human characters seem like an unnecessary addition in the Sonic universe. While it might make sense for newcomers, it feels like the creators don’t fully trust Sonic and his animal friends to carry a story on their own. They’ve been doing this for decades! Characters like Robotnik and Maria are vital for the plot, but characters like Tom “Donut Lord” Wachowski, Maddie Wachowski, Rachel, Jojo, and others seem more like an attempt to widen Sonic’s already dedicated fanbase. It’s not that these actors are bad, they’re clearly enjoying themselves, but their presence has always felt out of place. These characters don’t really add anything essential to Sonic, and perhaps it’s time for them to step out of the franchise after the third movie.

For the Record, It’s Not Just Tom and Maddie

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Should Close The Book on Its Human Characters

Absolutely, it’s important to note that the issues with the Sonic film franchise aren’t exclusive to it. Many Sonic fans often criticize Chris Thorndyke from the Sonic X series, which they find to be their least favorite aspect of the franchise. When Sonic and his friends cross dimensions into the human world, Chris Thorndyke becomes their human companion. Being a lonely, rich kid, Chris develops a strong attachment to Sonic, causing distress when they must part ways. Although Chris acknowledges his selfishness, he fails to win over fans, likely due to his role as a point of view character for newcomers, similar to Tom and Maddie.

Even the games don’t escape this trope. Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) is a flawed game, but one of the biggest sticking points for most fans is Princess Elise the Third. It’s bizarre enough that she managed to keep from crying from being a seven-year-old to a young woman. Granted, she needed to keep from crying to essentially keep the apocalypse at bay. However, what’s weirder is that Elise and Sonic have romantic tension, resulting in her giving him a kiss to bring him back to life. Overall, she’s considered to be a poorly written character and the kiss is considered to be one of the most uncomfortable moments in the Sonic franchise.

There Are Plenty of Other Sonic Characters

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Should Close The Book on Its Human Characters

Beyond featuring a rich cast of characters, the Sonic series might also see Amy and Rouge appearing in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, or Team Chaotix making an appearance during the end credits. However, some fans have expressed discomfort over the fact that human characters introduced in the films preceded the classic animal characters. It’s plausible that this shift towards more screen time for humans might be a budget-friendly choice. Initially, characters like Tom and Maddie seemed crucial to make Sonic relatable to new viewers in the first movie, but they took a backseat in the second film, enabling Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to bond more extensively. The strong performance of the sequel demonstrated that viewers are eager for more Sonic and are receptive to spending quality time with other animal characters aside from Tom and Maddie.

So What Could Happen?

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Should Close The Book on Its Human Characters

Given that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to offer a shift in mood, it opens up possibilities for future movies. The initial film has already introduced distant planets. It might be intriguing if Sonic gets summoned back to his home planet for an off-world adventure, inviting Knuckles, Tails, and Shadow along. If the films decide to follow this path, Sonic could bid a tender farewell to Tom and Maddie, acknowledging their significance while allowing him to embark on new adventures with familiar Sonic characters. Alternatively, the next film could present Tom and Maddie in peril, compelling Sonic to depart so he can safeguard them from harm, thus setting the stage for his continued journeys.

In the world of Sonic the Hedgehog, human characters like Tom and Maddie have played their part in setting the stage for audiences to meet Sonic and gauge reactions. Now that Sonic and his companions have been warmly received, it’s high time for the Sonic film series to shift its focus towards well-known game characters while still honoring the role Tom and Maddie played in Sonic’s cinematic origin story.

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2024-11-04 05:06