Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reveals the origins of Shadow the Hedgehog and his connection to the tragic fate of Maria Robotnik. Heavily inspired by 2001 Sonic Adventure 2the new Sonic the film does a great job adapting Shadow's dark past. However, there are some key differences, such as Maria Robotnik's death.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3Team Sonic is recruited by GUN to confront the recently escaped Shadow (Keanu Reeves), a black and red hedgehog who has slept in stasis for 50 years as part of a secret government project. Having been released as part of a world-ending revenge scheme, Shadow's dark past and desire for revenge come from his relationship with a girl named Maria, just like in the SEGA games. To that end, here's what happens to Maria Robotnik in Sonic 3 explained, as well as how it compares to the original video games.
Maria was killed by gun when they tried to capture Shadow
An accidental explosion
As shown through several flashbacks in Sonic the Hedgehog 3Shadow was found by GUN in a meteor that landed on Earth. Considered “The Ultimate Life Form”, it was believed that Shadow could become a great asset. While being tested and experimented on by Professor Gerald Robotnik, Shadow forms a bond with Robotnik's granddaughter Maria.
However, Maria lost her life after GUN wanted to take Shadow away from Robotnik. A stray bullet fired by a GUN agent caused a huge explosion during Gerald's attempt to escape with the alien and his granddaughter, and Maria was caught in the blast.. Locking Gerald away and keeping Shadow sleeping in stasis for 50 years, Shadow wakes up in the present day thanks to the work of Robotnik himself.
Why Maria's death impacted the shadow so much
Driven by revenge
Unlike all GUN agents and scientists who viewed him with fear, Maria viewed Shadow as a true friend and companion. When he wasn't being tested, Shadow and Maria played and spent time together, skating through the halls of GUN's secret facility and watching the stars at night. As such, Maria was the only light in Shadow's life before she was taken from him.
As a result, Shadow is hell-bent on revenge when he wakes up and escapes GUN's custody in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 today. Just like Gerald, who helped free him, Shadow first wants revenge on GUN, who took Maria, and then on humanity in general. Only until Sonic can free himself from his own darkness does Shadow become motivated to free himself from his own darkness, as seen at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Choosing to remember Maria's light, Shadow joins Sonic to help save the world from Gerald Robotnik.
How Maria's death in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 compares to the video games
Originally much more brutal for Shadow (and his future)
Compared to the new film, Maria's death and the resulting consequences are much more brutal in the games. Believing that Shadow was the key to curing Maria's terminal illness, Maria was everything to Gerald, although GUN eventually chose to end his project after it was deemed too dangerous. As such, GUN's takeover of Robotnik's orbital facility, Space Colony ARK, sees Maria being shot while helping Shadow into an escape pod. Despite making Shadow promise to “bring hope to humanity”, Shadow would later be brainwashed by Gerald as part of his plan to make humanity pay for taking Maria from him.
“The film's decision to embrace Shadow's past and adapt his darkness with Maria is very well done, given that it has been a central part of his character since the original. Sonic games…”
Ultimately, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 simplifies Shadow's past with Maria while carrying the tragic core of Maria's loss and its impact on Shadow's life going forward. Likewise, Gerald encouraging and using Shadow's shared desire for revenge rather than outright brainwashing arguably makes it easier for the film's Shadow to step aside and join forces with Sonic, allowing them to mirror the ending of Sonic Adventure 2 and his alliance as Super Sonic and Super Shadow. That said, the film's decision to embrace Shadow's past and adapt his darkness with Maria is very well done, given that it's been a central part of his character since the original. Sonic games.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now showing in theaters.