A Beloved ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Character Has a Bleak Alternate Fate

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As a film enthusiast who’s seen my fair share of movies, both dark and light-hearted, I must say that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was a delightful blend of action, humor, and emotional depth. The writers’ initial idea to kill off Tom, our beloved human sidekick, might have added an extra layer of intensity to the narrative, but in my humble opinion, it would have been a bridge too far.

In contrast to its generally child-friendly nature, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 presented some of the most intense moments in the series so far. Characters like Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) and his reasons for vengeance, as well as Sonic’s (Ben Schwartz) more somber transformation in the final act, added a layer of emotional depth to this computer-generated cast. Interestingly, when the movie’s original plot was devised, there was initially a far grimmer scenario, involving one character making the ultimate self-sacrifice.

In the newest Sonic movie, a pivotal moment that sparks Sonic’s quest for vengeance occurs when Shadow assaults Tom, who serves as the blue hedgehog’s father figure (portrayed by James Marsden). Throughout the film, Tom lies unconscious and it is not until the end that we learn he has survived. Interestingly, during an interview with GamesRadar+, writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller of ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ contemplated the possibility of Tom’s demise instead. They explained their choice in this matter.

In our discussions, we considered ways to intensify the plot. Our goal was to portray Sonic experiencing emotions like anger and a desire for revenge similar to Shadow’s. So, we asked ourselves, what could drive him to such feelings? However, it became clear that most people wouldn’t want a character like Tom to die. Instead, we wanted the audience to feel joy at the end of the movie. I believe suggesting his death might have been a step too far.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Created Great Tonal Balance with Its Creative Decisions

Despite being advertised as a more somber movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is essentially designed for a young audience. Notably, the video game series that inspired the film has never had a rating above ‘T for Teen’ by the ESRB, underscoring the kind of viewers who appreciate Sonic and his companions’ tales. Ultimately, the movie’s writers adjusted their approach when considering the viewpoint of the audience, as they stated in the same interview: “We decided to go back to our roots.

“I mean, even before we were movie writers, we were movie fans, and it’s often made me really mad when a character gets killed when they don’t have to, especially at the beginning of a sequel, when they take your favorite character from the previous one and kill them off in the first scene. They’re doing it to raise the stakes, but all they’re really accomplishing is pissing me off.”

As a film critic, I must confess that while Tom’s untimely demise could have amplified the emotional intensity, the third act of Sonic 3 was already burdened with two other losses. This additional sorrow might have made the movie even more melancholic than its current state. However, considering there’s a fourth Sonic film in the pipeline, it’s evident that Sonic’s bond with his newly formed family—Tom being part of it—still has room for growth and exploration.

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2024-12-28 02:06