Warning! 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's Sonic Adventure 2, the new Sonic movie does a very good job adapting Shadow's dark past. However, there are some key differences, such as the death of Maria Robotnik.

In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Team Sonic is recruited by GUN to take on the newly escaped Shadow (Keanu Reeves), a black-and-red hedgehog who'd been asleep 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 vengeance comes from his relationship with a girl named Maria, just like in the games from SEGA. To that end, here's what happens to Maria Robotnik in Sonic 3 explained, as well as how is compares to the original video games.

Maria Was Killed By GUN When They Tried To Capture Shadow

An Accidental Explosion

As shown through various flashbacks in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow was found by GUN in a meteor that landed on Earth. Considered to be "The Ultimate Life Form", it was believed that Shadow could become a major 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 massive 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 asleep in stasis for 50 years, Shadow wakes up in the present day thanks to the work of Robotnik himself.

Why Maria's Death Impacted Shadow So Greatly

Driven By Vengeance

Unlike all the GUN agents and scientists who viewed him with fear, Maria saw Shadow as a true friend and companion. When he wasn't being tested on, Shadow and Maria played and spent time together, skating down the halls of GUN's secret facility, and watching the stars at night. As such, Maria was the sole light in Shadow's life before she was taken away from him.

As a result, Shadow is hell-bent on revenge once he wakes up and breaks out of GUN's custody in Sonic The Hedgehog 3's present day. Just like Gerald who helped free him, Shadow first wants revenge on GUN who took Maria, and then on humanity at large. It's only until Sonic manages to let go of his own darkness that Shadow is motivated to let go of his own, as seen at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Choosing to Maria's light, Shadow s Sonic to help save the world from Gerald Robotnik.

How Maria's Death In Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Compares To The Video Games

Originally Far More Brutal For Shadow (And His Future)

Compared to the new movie, Maria's death and the resulting aftermath is far more brutal in the games. Believing Shadow held the key to curing Maria's terminal disease, Maria was everything to Gerald, though GUN eventually chose to shut down his project after it was deemed too dangerous. As such, GUN's takeover of Robotnik's orbital facility, Space Colony ARK, sees Maria being gunned down while helping Shadow get 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 movie's decision to embrace Shadow's past and adapt its darkness with Maria is very well done, seeing as how it's a core part of his character from the original Sonic games..."

Ultimately, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 simplifies Shadow's past with Maria, while still carrying the tragic core of losing Maria and its impact on Shadow's life going forward. Likewise, Gerald encouraging and using Shadow's shared desire for vengeance rather than direct brainwashing arguably makes it easier for the movie's Shadow to turn away and forces with Sonic, allowing them to mirror the ending of Sonic Adventure 2 and their alliance as Super Sonic and Super Shadow. That being said, the movie's decision to embrace Shadow's past and adapt its darkness with Maria is very well done, seeing as how it's a core part of his character from the original Sonic games.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now playing in theaters.