Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Christmas Short Mimics Classic Rankin/Bass Style

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As a lifelong Sonic fan who grew up watching the classic Rankin/Bass Christmas specials and playing the original video games, this latest offering from Paramount – “A Very Sonic Christmas” – has brought me immense joy! The nostalgia-inducing animation style coupled with the voice talents of my beloved characters was a delightful blend that transported me back to my childhood.

To mark the festive holiday season and the upcoming premiere of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Paramount has unveiled a unique Christmas special. This short film showcases Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails joining Santa in his present delivery mission on Christmas Eve. However, Shadow adds a twist to the tale. The animation style is reminiscent of the classic Rankin/Bass stop-motion Christmas specials, like Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. What makes this even more exciting is that it includes voiceovers by the cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, featuring Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, and Keanu Reeves.

Besides the four main actors from Sonic the Hedgehog 3, A Very Sonic Christmas also includes Adam Pally, who was previously seen in the initial two Sonic movies and in the Knuckles series as the clumsy deputy Wade Whipple. However, at present, it’s undecided whether Wade will appear in the upcoming Sonic film. Nonetheless, Pally dons the Santa suit in the short, suggesting that his connection to the Sonic universe may continue! You can watch the short in the video provided below.

Beyond Pally’s brief appearance, eagle-eyed Sonic fans will spot several hidden references. The holiday sweaters worn by Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles all subtly incorporate elements related to their characters. For instance, Tails wears a sweater adorned with his iconic Tornado plane, which has accompanied him since his first video game appearance. Meanwhile, Knuckles’ sweater is filled with grapes, a food he often indulges in on the Knuckles TV show. Lastly, Sonic’s sweater boasts an image of his favorite food, the chili dog, and it seems even Santa left one behind for him this year! A Christmas tree can be spotted in the short, but the house also displays a Menorah, possibly referencing Knuckles learning about Judaism in the Knuckles series. When Sonic scrutinizes Santa’s list, he finds that both Gerald and Ivo Robotnik are listed as naughty this season.

The debut of “A Very Sonic Christmas” aligns with Paramount’s 12-hour Sonic extravaganza promotion. As part of this event, Paramount has been running a contest for an Ugly Sonic Christmas sweater, as well as unveiling several festive posters for “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”. Notably, Paramount has created a Sonic poster that mimics the style of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, where Ivo Robotnik is seen being electrocuted instead of Clark Griswold. Additionally, there’s been a reinterpretation of the classic film “Home Alone”, with Sonic taking Kevin McAllister’s place, while Ivo and Gerald step into Harry and Marv’s shoes.

The much-anticipated release of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” in cinemas is scheduled for December 20th, yet the excitement surrounding this film has already reached its peak. Furthermore, fans of “Sonic x Shadow Generations” will be thrilled to know that DLC for the game will drop tomorrow, on December 12th. This additional content will include Keanu Reeves reprising his role as Shadow and areas inspired by the upcoming movie.

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2024-12-11 23:39