Sonic the Hedgehog 3 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 15, 2025

It seems only appropriate that Sonic the Hedgehog is known as the fastest character in video games, because his franchise has shot into the spotlight at lightning speed since 2020 when Paramount released the first film in what is now a trilogy (see also Sonic the Hedgehog 2) that has also been paired with the spinoff series Knuckles. It's obviously not at Marvel-level market saturation, but there is no mistaking that Sonic has sped towards the top of the modern movie landscape based on both sheer volume of output in a relatively short timeframe but also because of the quality of the films. These are solid cinema experiences, and this third entry is the best of the bunch. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is exemplifies the franchise and ups the ante in terms of visuals, narrative, acting, and sheer fun for the little franchise that has become a big success.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 familiarly operates in line with its predecessors in terms of tone and tenor, in large part thanks to the tenure of the cast and crew, featuring key returns of voice and live action performances that build the world and maintain continuity with previous entries. Director Jeff Fowler's return work (he has now helmed all three films) keeps the series narratively and structurally cohesive, and the result is about as close as a fictional franchise with heavy CGI elements can come to a living, breathing entity. It all flows remarkably well, and even as this film sees a building of plot and introductions of new characters, it just feels like it should: entirely a Sonic experience inside and out. Sure, there is some narrative familiarity and not much that breaks new ground in terms of action (even if the scope of the action is vastly increased), but Fowler has clearly matured as a filmmaker and learned from mistakes without resorting to making wholesale changes to the styles and successes that has brought him, and his franchise, this far. The film may not stand a head above its predecessors, but it does find superior story elements compared to the lesser second film and portends good things for the fourth entry, scheduled for 2027 release.

It wouldn't be a look at a new Sonic movie without praising the technical qualities and characteristics, which only seem to improve with each new film. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an exemplary visual and aural experience, a wonderfully realized hybrid of live action and digital animation that may not be revolutionary, but it's just maybe the best looking of its kind, ever. The seamless integration of live action content and computer generated characters is perfected to a level here never before seen, not even in the previous franchise films, to the point that there's almost a seamless blend of the two. It's incredible to watch the film play out on a technical level, and it certainly ups the experience many times over simply by the mastery of the medium. Mix in state of the art immersive audio and Sonic 3 is one of the most impressive films of the year for its sheer technical excellence and polish.

It also wouldn't be a look at a new Sonic movie without commenting on the tremendous acting and voice work that elevates the film to a level of success that just wouldn't be the same apart from the creative talent involved in bringing the characters to life. The human actors are at the very top of their game here. While Marsden and Sumpter don't really evolve their characters, they don't have to. They've been rocks for the franchise and continue to offer that human grounding that is so vital to the other characters' evolutions, especially Sonic but also, now, Tails and Knuckles as well. Speaking of, the trio of Schwartz, Elba, and O'Shaughnessey as the "Team Sonic" characters bring the familiar life and liveliness to their characters, building on the now-familiar cadences and here really finding a stride of camaraderie and comfort that makes for the best voice work from the three yet. Reeves is inspired casting, and does inspired work, as the dark and brooding Shadow, and back on the live action side Jim Carrey, well, plays Jim Carrey dressed up as Robotnik (and Robotnik!) in a very familiar but still nuanced and fun dual performance. As far as I'm concerned, the more Carrey, the better.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Even with the deluge of digital content on display throughout the film, Sonic 3 looks spectacularly filmic on UHD. The image is very rich, but also very grounded. The digital animation doesn't really stand out, but it doesn't stand out in a good way. As noted above, there's a near seamless integration with the live action characters and set pieces, and it all blends together with a very rich and heathy cinematic texture. Live action content is full of deep, accurate, and tactile detail. At the 2160p resolution it's not far and away superior to the Blu-ray (included, but not available as a standalone release), but the increases in sharpness and definition over the 1080p counterpart are very evident. Gains are perhaps more subtle than dramatic, but still evident and worthwhile. But on its own, the picture offers a commanding presence that might not be made to dazzle and delight (there are quite a few darker locales and less than glamours set piece scattered throughout the film, yet still rich in texture and high in clarity). Colors are vivid but not cartoonish. The Dolby Vision grading offers firm, natural colors. Big bold light streaks (especially some of the stuff during the finale) are the highlights. I would not label Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as brilliant, but falling more into that tonally reserved, yet still rich and accurate, color grading scale. I thought that black levels could stand to be a shade deeper, but overall I was impressed with everything the image has to offer. I didn't notice any distracting noise or other source or compression anomalies. Great image.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 races onto Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that I would characterize as being much in line with the video presentation: excellent, but not overtly showy. The presentation delights for its balance, fluidity, and clarity, delivering every audio element with striking richness and seamless stage integration. The track presents every audio cue -- whether score, action effect, ambient element, or line of dialogue -- with natural clarity and perfect positioning. Music holds to a dominant front side presence but does melt into the backs with perfect balance and, on top of that, fine subwoofer support. Action elements are large and refined, delivering potent but not overwhelming bass and active yet balanced and effortlessly natural surround utility, including well integrated, but not distractingly discrete, overhead content. Ambient effects are rich and inviting, and dialogue is clear and well defined.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 contains extras on both the Blu-ray and UHD discs. A digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director Jeff Fowler is joined by Ben Schwartz, the voice of Sonic, for a well paced and informative track.
• Sonic Family Fun (1080p, 5:38): Cast and crew discuss the family element that has been at the heart of the Sonic film franchise.
• Enter Shadow (1080p, 5:57): Exploring the new character in the film, Shadow: his video game origins and transition into this film, including Keanu Reeves' voice work in the film.
• Robotnik Family Reunion: Ivo and Gerald (1080p, 8:42): Exploring Jim Carrey's dual-role performance in the film.
• For the Love of Sonic: Directing a Trilogy (1080p, 4:13): Love and praise for Director Jeff Fowler's work throughout the Sonic franchise.
• The Fox, the Echidna, and the Hedgehog (1080p, 5:29): Exploring "Team Sonic" and their part in the film, including voice work and screen camaraderie.
• Live-Action Lunacy: Acting Opposite Puppets (1080p, 4:41): Human actors discuss performing in front of puppets (which would later be digitally erased and replaced with the CGI characters).
• From the Cryo-Tank to London: The World of Sonic (1080p, 6:19): This supplement looks at the complex and creative set pieces featured in the film.
• Team Sonic vs. Shadow (1080p, 2:41): A quick look at the clash between the film's protagonists and the new antagonist.
• A Very Sonic Christmas (1080p, 2:09): Sonic introduces Knuckles and Tails to Santa Claus and winds up helping to save Christmas.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 3:05): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 5:13 total runtime): Included are Bea Arthur Cake, G.U.N. Selfie, Stone Saves Ivo, Ivo and Gerald Bonding, Ivo Live Stream 1, Ivo and Gerald Hide, Gerald Claps Back, and Ivo Live Stream 2.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 may not break new narrative ground, but it does deliver a fine film experience that is more than the sum of its visuals. It's a movie of action aplenty, strong characterization, and great work from the entire cast. It's definitely in the upper tier of the video game-turned-movie realm. Paramount's UHD release delivers excellent technical merits paired with a nice allotment of bonus content that gives a thorough picture of the making of the movie through a number of shorter features and a feature length commentary. Highly recommended.