STACK #242 December 2024

CINEMA FEATURE

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T herefore the third instalment of the hit Sonic movie franchise sees the trio form an unlikely alliance with Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet. Fans can’t wait to see what Keanu Reeves does with Shadow - one of Sonic’s most complex and mysterious rivals from the games where he’s known for his dark personality and incredible powers, making him a major challenge for Sonic. Adding him into the movie series opens up exciting possibilities for a deeper, more dramatic storyline - and yes, this being Reeves, of course it involves firearms and an awesome custom-made motorbike. After the success of Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) - which brought Sonic,Tails, and Knuckles together - the trio must face a powerful and mysterious new adversary in Shadow the Hedgehog. Words Gill Pringle SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

U nlike most villains, he doesn’t want wealth or power. Instead, he’s driven by a primal obsession: to be the best hunter in the world, and that includes taking down Spider-Man as his ultimate prize. Kraven is a master tracker, hand-to-hand fighter, and survivalist. With enhanced physical abilities - thanks to a special serum that gives him the strength, speed, and endurance of a superhuman - he sees himself as a predator at the top of the food chain. Intended as the sixth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), the R-rated [US rating] action film stars Aaron Taylor Johnson in the title role, with our own Russell Crowe portraying Kraven’s estranged father, Nikolai Kravinoff, a ruthless crime lord. One of the things that sets Kraven apart is his code of honour. He’s not a typical villain - he doesn’t even see himself as a bad guy. To him, hunting Spider-Man isn’t about malice, it’s about proving his strength and skill. In his mind, he’s adhering to a personal standard of warrior nobility, which means he doesn’t use guns or high-tech gadgets. One of the most famous comic book stories featuring Kraven is Kraven’s Last Hunt , a dark tale where he actually defeats Spider-Man and temporarily takes on his identity. It’s one of the few stories that show a villain actually achieving their goal, which is rare in superhero comics. In the end, Kraven realises that he’s proven all he needs to and lets Spider-Man live, but the victory leaves him feeling empty. This moment cements Kraven as more than just a villain - he’s a complex character haunted by his obsession. His blend of honour, obsession, and tragedy makes him one of the most memorable foes in Spider-Man’s world. Kraven the Hunter - aka Sergei Kravinoff - is one of Spider-Man’s most intense and unique foes. Words Gill Pringle KRAVEN THE HUNTER

Fans are already speculating as to how Shadow will be portrayed and whether we’ll see more of his origin story, such as his connection to Dr. Robotnik and the secret government experiment, “Project Shadow”, that created him, resulting in Shadow’s quest for revenge. Another cool thing about Sonic 3 is the dynamic between the characters. Now that Knuckles is more established, there’s a lot of potential for fun, especially since he brings that tough, no-nonsense vibe that can clash with Sonic’s more laid-back, adventurous personality. And with Tails in the mix, we will see even more teamwork and humour. With each Sonic movie, the visual effects and animation keep improving, so we can expect top-notch CGI, especially with action-packed scenes involving Shadow with his dramatic black and red stripes and ability to teleport. Director Jeff Fowler was impressed upon his first meeting with Reeves, discovering how he had done all of his homework on Shadow in his desire to create a "fan-faithful" rendition of the character in this thrilling new film, which draws inspiration from the video game Sonic Adventure 2 .

Kraven the Hunter is in cinemas December 12.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is in cinemas December 26.

DECEMBER 2024

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