Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!

Sonic and Shadow face off in Sonic the Hedgehog 3's cast includes Ben Schwartz reprising his role as the titular blue hedgehog, with Keanu Reeves lending his star power as the brooding Shadow.

careless murder of Maria, a child with whom he had developed a beautiful friendship.

How Shadow's Powers Compare To Sonic's In The Movies

Shadow Has Powers Sonic Doesn't Possess

Sonic the Hedgehog's speed makes him an incredibly powerful force, and the movies have demonstrated the main protagonist having access to some extra abilities through the use of the Master Emerald. In of base speed, Sonic and Shadow are generally perceived as being neck-and-neck in the film. However, when it comes to combat, Shadow's ability to directly teleport adds a layer of threat that Sonic doesn't have. The movie shows that he can do this even while not in his super form.

The film generally depicts Shadow as having more access to chaos powers, giving him some additional perks Sonic doesn't have.

In Shadow's super form, he demonstrates another ability that Sonic doesn't know. In the climactic space battle against Robotnik's robots, Shadow utilizes Chaos Spears, using his chaos energy to launch a powerful ranged attack. The film generally depicts Shadow as having more access to chaos powers, giving him some additional perks Sonic doesn't have. These powers give him a clear-cut advantage over Sonic throughout the story, as he has Sonic's baseline speed and abilities with more on top of them.

Shadow Beats Sonic & His Friends In Their First Fight In Sonic 3

Shadow Easily Defeats Sonic, Knuckles, & Tails

In Sonic the Hedgehog 3's first battle in Tokyo, audiences get to witness the first battle between Sonic and Shadow in the movie. Sonic has the help of Knuckles' strength and Tails' ingenuity, and Shadow manages to outmatch all of them with ease. Knuckles, who gave Sonic problems during Sonic the Hedgehog 2, has practically zero impact on this fight, entirely outclassed by the hedgehog combatant. Tails finds ways to help the team throughout the movie, but is also not able to contribute much in a direct fight against Shadow.

Though Sonic and his pals haven't yet found their chemistry working as a team, it doesn't seem like it can make much of a difference against Shadow. In their base forms, he wipes the floor with them completely. Even with the ultra-fast Sonic, Shadow is operating on another level and defeats them without suffering a scratch. The teleporting ability alone appears to put Team Sonic in disarray, and he's able to appear next to them with enough momentum to land devastating blows on them. During this fight, it doesn't ever seem like there's much hope for the team.

Sonic Beats Shadow When They Both Have Master Emerald Powers

Sonic Manages To Defeat Shadow With An Angered Blow

The climax of the film sees Sonic resorting to the Master Emerald to gain his super form. As Super Sonic, he attacks Shadow in space, who still manages to get a hit on him, separating him from the emeralds. Then, Sonic and Shadow both charge the Master Emerald, absorbing its power and entering their respective super forms. For the most part, Shadow seems capable of beating Sonic easily as he has been, taunting him as they fight. That is, until Sonic manages to pull off a successful, clean blow, knocking Shadow down on the moon.

The fight here seems to demonstrate that Sonic is holding something back in most fights. Generally, Shadow's rage and desire for vengeance pushes him to fight with his entire force at all times, while Sonic is far more merciful. Shadow's relentlessness allows him to be a more consistent threat throughout the film, but Sonic reaching that level of anger and lack of control allows him to momentarily knock Shadow to the ground, disconnecting him from the emerald powers and presenting him with the opportunity to finish off his rival. Luckily, Sonic comes to and decides to show mercy.

Shadow Is Really The Strongest & More Powerful Hedgehog

Shadow's Access To Other Abilities & Fighting Style Make Him Generally Stronger

Despite Sonic winning this fight, it doesn't seem like he's the more powerful hedgehog. The two characters' natures are vital to their fighting styles, with Shadow constantly channeling his anger in battle. Similar to Star Wars, utilizing focused anger as an emotion in combat generally allows Shadow more power, though it comes at the sacrifice of morality. It's Shadow's anger that nearly kills Tom earlier in the film, showing that even though he's primarily in control of his strength, living and fighting this way typically comes with a cost.

Sonic has the capacity to beat Shadow, but it was also a one-off strike that Shadow wasn't expecting, which isn't representative of their baseline capabilities

Sonic's kinder and more empathetic nature arguably limits his strength, and it's only when he loses control that he manages to beat Shadow. This might mean that Sonic has the capacity to beat Shadow, but it was also a one-off strike that Shadow wasn't expecting, which isn't representative of their baseline capabilities. Shadow appears to be capable, more often than not, of defeating his hedgehog rival without much struggle. That's mostly due to powers that Sonic doesn't possess.

Considering Shadow's ability to teleport and his Chaos Spears, he should generally be the more powerful hedgehog. He is the Ultimate Life Form, and it's essential to the narrative that he is stronger than Sonic. That makes his arc of turning from villain to antihero all the more critical in Sonic 3's ending. Shadow's tragic life and anger make him immensely powerful, and that's why Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is about him needing to understand Sonic's perspective, realizing that loss and grief can be used to do good, resulting in his heroic sacrifice.