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Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails are back for their most epic adventure yet. The team reunites to face a new formidable foe, Shadow, a mysterious hedgehog with powers unlike anything they’ve ever seen. Team Sonic must secure an unexpected alliance if they hope to stop Shadow and save the planet. Keanu Reeves joins the All-Star cast as Shadow the Hedgehog. – synopsis via Paramount Pictures

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 is directed by Jeff Fowler.  He has been the director since the inception of the franchise and that includes the series KNUCKLES.  He has made a franchise that is a good watch for every family member and feels as it should.  

After making the change for a more game-accurate Sonic, the other characters got the same treatment.  They are colorful and their personalities are what I would expect from them.  It is a solid trilogy and 

Cast via Wikipedia
Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog
Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog
Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Miles “Tails” Prower
Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna

Live-action
Jim Carrey in a dual role as Dr. Ivo Robotnik andProfessor Gerald Robotnik
James Marsden as Tom Wachowski
Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski
Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone
Krysten Ritter as Director Rockwell
Natasha Rothwell as Rachel
Shemar Moore as Randall Handel
Adam Pally as Wade Whipple

VIDEO QUALITY 4.5/5

The video is a 2160p HEVC presentation with Dolby Vision HDR.  The colors are brilliant and the bright primaries in the characters as well as some of the lighting are beautiful.  When the main characters use their powers, they have a bright glow that beams in Dolby Vision.  Like the previous two installments, this is live-action with CG characters have been blended nicely in the scenes.  The strong details and textures of things like the fur on the characters add to the realism.  

AUDIO QUALITY 4.5/5

The audio is a Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mix depending on your equipment.  The audio is at the same level of quality as the video.  The two early standouts are the use of the overhead channels and the LFEs.  

The overhead channels create a more realistic listening experince with the amount of movements by multiple characters.  Also, Shadow has the ability teleport quickly and he jumps from channel to channel.  
 As for the LFEs, some of the slowing-of-time moments and punches have a nice hit in the subwoofer.  The movie is constantly moving around the channels of the speed and agility of the characters.  Running past things through the woods, you can hear the trees and branches whizzing by.  The dialogue is clear and prioritized.

SUPPLEMENTS & PACKAGING 4/5

-Audio Commentary: with Director Jeff Fowler and Ben Schwartz

-Sonic Family Fun: The cast and crew get into the “family” aspect of the family film.

-Enter Shadow: This looks at the new character, Shadow, who is voiced by Keanu Reeves.  From his origins in the game and how they made him work in the movie.

-Robotnik Family Reunion: Ivo and Gerald: This is about Jim Carrey playing both roles.

-For the Love of Sonic: Directing a Trilogy: Jeff Fowler has created a fun trilogy of films and this gets into his love for the world he helped create.

-The Fox, the Echidna, and the Hedgehog: This is Team Sonic and how the film’s creators brought them to life.

-Live-Action Lunacy: Acting Opposite Puppets: This is with the actors discussing how acting with the pre-CGI characters for blocking and placement.

-From the Cryo-Tank to London: The World of Sonic: This is about the sets and locations in the movie.

-Team Sonic vs. Shadow: This looks at the conflicting characters in the franchise.

-A Very Sonic Christmas: This is a short about Christmas and the character’s introduction to the holiday.

-Gag Reel

-Deleted Scenes
 
Disc Details
2-Disc Set w/ 1 4k UHD and 1 Blu-ray
Digital Copy
Steelbook Packaging
Slipcover included with the initial release
 
Running Time
109 mins
 
Edition Ratings
Rated PG
 
Region Coding
Region Free
 
4k UHD
Video Resolution
4k HEVC / H.265
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

HDR
Dolby Vision
HDR10

Audio Mixes
English Dolby Atmos
English Dolby TrueHD 7.1
French Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
 
Subtitles
English
English SDH
French
Spanish

Blu-ray
Video Resolution
1080p AVC MPEG-4
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio Mixes
English Dolby Atmos
English Dolby TrueHD 7.1
French Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
 
Subtitles
English
English SDH
French
Spanish

THE FINAL WORD 4.5/5

Honestly, I dig these movies.  I seldom describe movies with the word “fun” but that’s exactly what they are.  The kids like it and there are references that adults can easily pick up on.  It is highly recommended to watch the entire series but I think it wouldn’t be impossible to follow.  

The audio and video are both near perfect with no persistent issues worth mentioning.  The included extras have a lot information and are worth the watch.  The Steelbook has great artwork inside and out.  I recommend picking this up if you’re a fan and/or want to complete the trilogy.