Notice! SPOILERS ahead for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.Sonic the Hedgehog 3 director Jeff Fowler reveals why a major video game set piece was a high priority sequence when bringing Shadow the Hedgehog to the big screen. Voiced by Keanu Reeves, Sega's beloved antihero emerges as a powerful new enemy to Ben Schwartz and friends' Sonic the Hedgehog as he embarks on a quest for revenge. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also sees the return of Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, James Marsden and Tika Sumpter to reprise their roles.
With Sonic the Hedgehog 3At the end of Sonic and Shadow assuming their Super forms to prevent the Eclipse Cannon from shooting at Earth in a sequence set to Crush 40's “Live and Learn,” Fowler broke up the impactful moment with GamesRadar+. According to Fowler, the director knew that bringing the song to the film's soundtrack was a high priority due to its presence within Sonic Adventure 2from the title screen to the final battle of the video game. As such, Fowler explained that even from the earliest versions of the film, music would always be a part of it:
You turn on your Dreamcast and Sonic Adventure 2 and the first thing you hear are snippets of “Live and Learn” and Crush 40. I just felt like there wasn't any version of this where we wouldn't make it a strong presence in the film.
Additionally, Fowler joked that he knew longtime fans would be frustrated if he left it out, but emphasized that he was happy to bring video game music to the big screen. Check out Fowler's statement below:
The fans would hunt me down if I didn't. Not only did I do it out of fear for my own life, but also because it's an amazing song and we're happy to be able to use it.
What the inclusion of “Live And Learn” means for Sonic The Hedgehog 3
The track's inclusion is an example of how the franchise appeals to video game fans
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is no stranger to the familiar songs that feature on the soundtrack, as alongside original compositions by Tom Holkenborg and singles performed by Wiz Khalifa, Lil Yachty, Ty Dolla $ign, Swedish The Child, Kid Cudi and Jelly Roll, there were several nods to the video game source material. New versions of video game soundtracks by Masato Nakamura and Sonic Mania the opening “Friends” by Hyper Potions was included in previous editions. As such, it's not surprising to see the most memorable vocal track on Sonic Adventure 2 find your way to its big screen adaptation.
Furthermore, with Fowler's history with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise with his work as an animator on the main series' cinematic scenes, it's clear he knows the elements that fans most celebrate in the series. As such, with “Live and Learn” being a high priority inclusion in the soundtrack, many may be optimistic about what other elements of the game will be high priority inclusions after Sonic the Hedgehog 3post-credits scenes and the long-awaited debut of their characters.
Our thoughts on Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s “Live and Learn” needle drop
The song stands out as a highlight of its source material
Sonic Adventure 2 features several memorable pieces of music that continue to hold a special place in fans' hearts. From the high-speed “Escape From The City” of Sonic's first playable level to the individual theme songs for each playable character, these tracks have been enshrined in players' memories.
However, Fowler’s prioritization of “Live and Learn” is one of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 culminating moments. Playing at the culmination of Shadow's arc, as he and Sonic finally join forces to save Earth, the track will forever be associated with the moment players were given full control of each character in their prime, with the gameplay making them feel who can take on everything. As such, while newer fans who were introduced to the song thanks to the film can now enjoy a new earworm, the song's use in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 It will undoubtedly resonate in the fond memories of long-time video game fans.
Source: GamesRadar+