Should Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Get a PG-13 Rating?

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie has me intrigued and slightly apprehensive. Having grown up with the original games, the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic Adventure 2 was a game-changer, to say the least. The darker narrative and the character’s complex backstory were a stark contrast to the usual lighthearted adventures we were accustomed to.

The excitement for “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” is building up as Paramount begins to intensify the promotional buzz, unveiling the film’s first trailer recently. While we’re gathering more details about the Sega adaptation, there are still some aspects that remain a mystery, such as its rating. The first two “Sonic the Hedgehog” films earned a PG rating, but there’s an argument for a higher rating for this third installment. The earlier movies maintained a generally humorous tone, but the sequel is expected to incorporate elements from “Sonic Adventure 2,” which has a relatively grim narrative for a Sonic game.

In the game “Sonic Adventure 2”, we are introduced to Shadow the Hedgehog for the first time. This character was engineered by Gerald Robotnik, the grandfather of Sonic’s longtime adversary Ivo Robotnik. Gerald developed Shadow as a desperate attempt to save his gravely ill granddaughter Maria from a fictitious disease called NIDS. Tragically, the Guardian Units of Nations perceived Shadow as a threat to humanity and, during their mission to apprehend him, ended up killing Maria. Consequently, Shadow was placed in suspended animation and didn’t reappear for several decades. The plotline surrounding Shadow was hinted at the end of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”, and it is expected to be a significant part of the upcoming third movie, with Keanu Reeves providing the character’s voice.

In Sonic Adventure 2, the character Shadow initially sets out to avenge Maria’s death by wreaking havoc on the world. However, he eventually helps save the day by teaming up with both Sonic and Dr. Robotnik. Shadow appears to perish in this story, but reappears in later works like his self-titled game, “Shadow the Hedgehog.” This game is significant because Sega was initially thinking about giving it an M-rating due to Shadow’s use of weapons and a voice actor recording lines for the character swearing, though these elements were ultimately unused. Nowadays, Sega has stopped featuring Shadow with weapons, but this aspect of his past is often humorously referenced in internet culture.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating how much of Shadow’s backstory will find its way into the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie. What we do know is that Maria Robotnik will grace the silver screen, portrayed by the talented Alyla Browne. Whether Shadow’s origin undergoes a slight transformation or not, it seems we’re in store for a film centered around a young character meeting an untimely end. That’s some serious subject matter for this series, and I can understand why Paramount might allow the producers a bit more creative freedom to handle such heavy material effectively.

Of course, the Sonic movies have done very well with younger audiences, and a PG-13 rating might scare some parents off. Sonic is currently slated to be released December 20th, which is the same day as Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King. If both movies hold to that release date, Paramount isn’t going to want to scare off any potential viewers. It remains to be seen what rating Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will get, but there’s a strong case to be made, either way!

2024-09-08 22:39

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