Sonic the Hedgehog 3is setting up Shadow to be far more powerful than Sonic and his friends, and it seems to be because of one specific power. Introduced in 2001’sSonic Adventure 2and quickly becoming a fan favorite character, Shadow the Hedgehog is set to make his cinematic debut in the new videogame film. Played by Keanu Reeves, Shadow’s dark look, dour backstory, and harsher edge make him an ideal direct contrast to Sonic.
The trailer forSonic the Hedgehog 3even leans into his impressive potential by showcasing the character fighting Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails all on his own — and winning. This is largely thanks to one of Shadow’s apparent powers, which is taken directly from the games. However, the source of the power seems to have been changed in the adaptation, which could explain the heightened stakes of the story and give Shadow a more impressive power set that gives him an edge overSonic the Hedgehog 3’s heroic characters.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Looks So Intense That It Must Break A Franchise Trend Now
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 looks like the most intense movie in the franchise so far, and that means it needs to break a trend from the last two films.
Shadow Already Has Chaos Control In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Shadow’s Teleportation Powers Have A Video Game Origin
The trailer forSonic the Hedgehog 3implies that Shadow has already gained the teleportation powershe originally accessed through Chaos Control, which gives him a powerful edge over the other characters. In the trailer forSonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow is seen repeatedly teleporting his way through several fights. This allows him to easily defeat a group of soldiers and also gives him an edge over Sonic and his friends. Even compared to Sonic and Knuckles' amazing speed, Shadow is able to shock the pair with a series of attacks.
This is because Shadow doesn’t seem to just be running, but using amplified abilities and tech to move quicker. Beyond his shoes having rocket boosters on them,Shadow seems capable of teleporting from one place to another, doing so to catch Knuckles by surprise and even get the drop on Sonic. This teleportation ability is typically one of the signs of Chaos Control, a power that Shadow is able to access to great effect in theSonic the Hedgehogvideo games, albeit under specific circumstances.
How Chaos Control Works In The Sonic Video Games
Chaos Control Isn’t A Speed Boost Or Even Actual Teleportation
Introduced alongsideShadow’s origin story during the events ofSonic Adventure 2,Chaos Control is a power that the dark hedgehog is able to accessinitially through the Chaos Emeralds. These powerful items are able to imbue people with immense power in the games. For Shadow, that meant the apparent power of teleportation, which he used to frame Sonic for his crimes. As the game progressed, both Sonic and Shadow were able to use the power to help save the world. Eventually, Shadow developed the ability to use Chaos Control even without the Emeralds, giving him a distinct power boost.
Notably, Chaos Control has been shown in games likeSonic HeroesandSuper Smash Bros. Brawlto not be an advanced form of super speed or even simple teleportation. Chaos Control instead impacts space and time, slowing down events around the user. This is seemingly how Shadow can teleport,as he’s actually freezing timeand moving through it before anyone else can respond. Considering Sonic’s otherworldly speed, Chaos Control is an immense power that can actually counter Sonic’s most useful skill.
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While Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is going to focus on Shadow, I hope it can also give one character a bigger role after the previous movie sidelined him.
Shadow Already Having Chaos Control Is A Change From The Games
Shadow’s Powers Make Him A Lot More Dangerous Than Sonic
Shadow possessing Chaos Control from the start is a change from the games, but it would be far from the first time the cinematicSonic the Hedgehoghas deviated from the source material. However, it also means thatShadow is far more powerful than Sonicright from the start, giving him an edge that sets up the rest of the film. In Shadow’s original appearance, he worked alongside Dr. Eggman and used Chaos Emeralds to amplify himself. In the film, the threat of Shadow is enough that Sonic must turn to Dr. Robotnik for help.
Dr. Ivo Robotnik
Jim Carrey
It’s an interesting change andone that raises the stakes for the story. Finding the Emeralds countered Shadow, but that might not be an option this time around. It also means the film can likely keep the focus on the characters instead of having to do a lore dump to explain Shadow’s connection to the Emeralds. Having Shadow already with Chaos Control mastered when he first confronts Sonic gives him an automatic edge over the competition, and is an interesting tweakSonic the Hedgehog 3seems to be making to the character’s history.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
