Recensioni degli utenti

GenX reporting in. Just got back from the first screening at our AMC with my 12 year old. We both agreed that this was the best sonic film, the closest to the games, with great action scenes, a ton of laughing... Jim Carey nails this once again, but even funnier with two of him on screen! A fantastic soundtrack including one of my all time favorite bands, The Travelling Wilburys! Fantastic visual effects that are very 3D in the 2D format. The perfect run time, isn't too short, and just as soon as you get tired it wraps up. Stay past the beginning credits for a scene that hints at part 4, which satisfied all the kids around us. We walked out smiling, this one had it all! Well done and recommended.

Wow, first impressions of the movie is that it definitely delivers on the hype. Somehow they managed to make this franchise even bigger than the previous.

This doesn't hold back on the fan service and Sonic fans like myself will definitely be pleased with how the story is handled, but also how they handle the characters, visuals, and even the music.

The human characters Tom and Maddie, are probably the only element in this movie I could have with or without. They don't really serve a big purpose other than to move the story along. But they're not horrible characters. I like them fine, they just don't have much screen time. But I'm also okay with that because we come to these movies to see Sonic and the gang.

Jim Carrey once again proves why he is the perfect casting for Doctor Eggman. And not only that but is pulling double duty in this movie. It's so much fun watching him play both characters and you can feel his energy in this role and how much he loves playing it. This is also his first role he's returned to for a 3rd time in his expansive career. It's nice to see he's still got it after all these years.

Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow is another amazing choice for this character. He really emulates Shadows complex character and tragic past. You can really feel the raw emotion from his performance. In all honesty, if Sega wanted to hire these voices to be in their next Sonic game, I wouldn't be disappointed. Not that their video game counterparts are bad, it's just how good the movie actors are in the roles.

The story in this movie is so well adapted and it really brings the emotion you want from the kind of story they're telling. Sonic in this movie is most like himself from the games than any other movie yet. This is great fun for any Sonic fan and/or for the family to go and see for the weekend.

The only complaint I really have is I wish the movie was a little longer so that it could really develop Shadow's story a little more and give it even more time to have even more weight to it. At times it felt a little rushed, but it overall was done really well. You still feel the emotional pull on the heart strings that they're trying to make the audience feel, I just wish there was more.

You can tell the people who made this movie care. They care about creating something true to the source material. They care about the fans and their enjoyment. They care about just making a good movie.

This third chapter in the series is a blast. We see continued escalation and expansion while balancing so many characters and story points. It could have easily been a jumbled mess, but it's so smooth.

Two things that jumped a level from previous entries: the action and the visuals. There are several beastly action scenes that had me grinning ear to ear. And so many shots are visually mesmerizing, even borderline trippy. And sometimes these two things overlap... like I said before, they care.

Jim Carrey is the GOAT. This is the third time I've written that in a Sonic review. With his ridiculously deep filmography, I never thought I'd say Dr. Robotnik is one of his best roles ever.

As long as they keep putting this much care into making these movies, I will watch as many as they want to make. Every other prospective video game adaptation needs to take notes.

(1 viewing, opening Thursday UltraScreen 12/19/2024)

Let's be honest: You're seeing "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" because you're either a fan of the gaming franchise or the two films that came before it. I'm a fan of the latter, although they are not perfect. I knew, didn't think, but knew that this third installment would beat them both, and I was right.

Beginning with Keanu Reeves, breathtaking is putting it mildly. His performance and the overall character of Shadow the Hedgehog, coming from a guy who has never played the games, was jaw-dropping. Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles are great villains in the prior two installments. Shadow surpasses them by having an origin story that, while familiar to veteran players of the games, is more tragic than any of the other characters in the franchise, Sonic included. I'm a huge fan of Reeves; what more is there to say?

Even though Shadow steals the show, the returning characters are still strong. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are just as funny and charming as their appearances in the previous two entries, helped by Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, and Idris Elba's energetic performances. What surprised me the most was how they put all three in a shocking internal conflict, one which I refuse to spoil in any fashion. You need to see it for yourself!

I can't forget Jim Carrey as the two Robotniks. First of all, he came out of potential retirement for this. This review is written by a tremendous Carrey admirer, making it a big deal to me when they announced that he would reprise his role as Dr. Robotnik in this trilogy-capper. Of course, he recently said he returned because he needed the money, which is understandable, but this was no cash-grab role for Carrey. He brings some next-level comedic energy when playing both Ivo and Gerald Robotnik. Every time he's in a movie, he always makes me, and millions more, smile and laugh, and here is no different. Power-rest with pride and dignity, Carrey. Your work will continue to inspire generations to come.

I want to take a break to discuss the experience instead of the movie's contents. I saw it at a Dolby Fan Event, my second time with the format since "Wicked." Dolby enhanced both films for me, so be sure to see it that way. The theater I was in did something unexpected: skipped coming attractions. AMC usually allows audiences twenty minutes to go to the restroom or get popcorn by playing trailers for future releases, but not here. I feel bad for the people who came in late under the impression that it wouldn't start right when they arrived. Additionally, I reserve that time to go to the restroom quickly. However, the film began immediately, and I only focused on the movie rather than anything else, a testament to how excited I was and how extraordinary the following presentation was.

I'll resume talking about the movie itself now. The action was some of the best I've seen all year. The other Sonic films, admittedly, had incredible action, but this cranked the volume up to 11! If we're only covering action, you bet it's super fun!

What else makes the movie remarkably powerful is it's hilarious, the story outside of Shadow is compelling, the CGI remains beautiful, and the people in my theater were freaking out at the mid and post-credit scenes. Make sure to stay for that, Sonic fan or not!

If I were to give any semi-negatives, the comedy simultaneously surpasses and is consistent with the other two films. It's consistent in how it's sometimes juvenile to its detriment. I also found Krysten Ritter's Director Rockwell to be weak, but here's what's truly remarkable: I don't care. In a year in which I've perhaps become more of a critic than a film fan despite my personal beliefs that I haven't, I deserve and need to overlook the flaws because the rest of the film is unbelievably phenomenal!

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" blew my mind, and I didn't expect it to. I went in with high expectations, yet still accepted the possibility that it can't be as wonderful as the hype warrants. I was wrong.

Technically, the voice acting and performances from the humans (awkward way of saying it, apologies), the CGI, the well-used runtime, and the impactful narrative make the technical score a 9/10. Said 9 is because of some issues relating to the screenplay.

For the enjoyment score, I loved it! It's easily the best of the trilogy and one of the year's best films. I'm writing this before I watch the second film in the hopeful next Barbenheimer post-Glicked: "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" and "Mufasa: The Lion King." Mufasa has no chance! My problems with some dialogue and Rockwell can't prevent the enjoyment score from being a 10/10. The flaws are not enough to hurt the experience, and I'm happy I can ignore them. This experience is a must-watch for any Sonic fan and enjoyer of the preceding two films, and I'm thrilled to see what this franchise offers next!

I wanted to love it but couldn't quite get there. I feel like the movie was trying too hard to be funny. The scenes where we have genuine emotion and intensity is when the movie shines most. However they were sparse.

90% of Team Sonic's lines were corny jokes which took away the gravity of the situations they were facing. The fans want epic scenes that showcase the awesome ability of the hedgehog's and foes yet there wasn't enough or they were too brief.

There were some awesome moments in the movie but i wanted them to go for a bit longer (sonic v shadow in the finale). I also liked the relationship between the Robotniks', comedy and genuine emotion. A nice combo. Jim Carey provided a great performance too (acting and dancing).

You can see the people surrounding the film truly cared about the end product which all sonic fans can appreciate.

However the over used jokes and lack of time spent on the better moments prevent the film from being truly spectacular. However, still an enjoyable popcorn flick.

Gotta go fast!!!!

Easily the best one, which coincidentally contains the majority of actual Sonic moments in this entire trilogy. Keanu Reeves absolutely steals the show as Shadow, he portrays the ruthlessness and immense emotional pain of his character incredibly well. Also Jim Carrey pulls off acting as the dual Dr Robotniks with incredible comedic timing, especially with each himself, as it really feels like these are two separate characters.

The human subplots are as mediocre as usual but are infinitely more tolerable here as they tie into the main story much more naturally. Also, while they do adapt the Sonic Adventure 2 storyline as best as they could in the universe they've established, I feel like they could have gone deeper in exploring the bond between Shadow and Maria.

The best trillogy in the franchise the fitgh scene and CGI is incerdible and emotial sonic fans is going love this flim event the way they go about bringin back like rachel a controversial original character for this movie. The way she is brought into the movie and the small role. She plays tought fit well for people who whant see that character while also connecting tings that have happened in previous movie but the one human character you do want to see a lot of that is working double time Jim carrey as both Robotnik Gerald robotik.the biggest Jim carrey simp he is the guy and nowaday we juts do not gave anough Carrey zaninees on the big screen. And my rating is 7.4 /10.

This was a pleasant surprise. As a father who has spent days of my life sitting through the first two entries, I'm so relieved that the series shifted into a new gear.

The character development hit harder, the action was more exciting, and the humor hit new highs. The villains were three-dimensional and it was a joy spending the movie with the trio of Knuckles, Tails and Sonic operating with fully-formed friendship. It wasn't without nits to pick - I personally found the editing to be noticeably choppy at times - but the pros well outweigh the cons.

I can't stress enough that people familiar with the series will get a new and welcome take on how the series operates. Same chassis, new engine.

Reeves overshadows Carrey. Kidding, he does not, simply because he has less screen time (if you even count voice-over as such), and I just thought it would be a good pun, since Reeves voices over Shadow.

Puns aside, it's an ok movie. Others have pointed out as well, that this is essentially the same as previous one, but with Shadow and 2 Robotniks, so you should not expect anything special from the plot. In fact, it has at least 2 plot holes: why Shadow was allowed to roam that base at all, and why did they not just destroy the key, when they could?

Not like anyone is expecting very strong plot here anyway. I guess people come mostly for the action and humor. There are both. Action is... Ok, nothing particularly special or memorable. Humor... Also ok. I chuckled a few times, definitely liked a few nods to popular culture here and there, but will forget everything tomorrow.

So, in the end, I'd consider this a good way to spend the evening and go to sleep right after. And if you are a Sonic fan, you probably will be glad to know that there will be another sequel.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is easily the best of the trilogy.

Best writing, best characterisation, great humour and Keanu Reeves was absolute CLASS as Shadow.

This movie differs from the first 2, most evidently being in the tone of the movie, this movie is a soul adaptation of Sonic Adventure 2 and they handled it better than I would've ever thought.

Shadow's past is portrayed hauntingly beautiful, not to mention his immaculate CGI model, I was so impressed by how he looked.

Jim Carrey was humorous as usual, an absolute treat to have in our franchise, he was hilariously amazing as both Ivo & Gerald.

Ben Schwartz, Colleen & Idris all shined more than ever.

As a huge Sonic fan, this movie passed my expectations, what a feeling to be a Sonic fan!

This movie goes down as a rich part of Sonics history.

9/10.

This third movie of Sonic brings a new character. Another super hedgehog with more abilities than Sonic, Tails and Knuckles combined. There's also another new villain being introduced here, but I'm not gonna spoil anything. The challenge for Sonic and his team is harder and greater now. To be able to save the Earth, this time he's gonna have to team up with an unlikely person. There are more than two surprises in this sequel, which makes the saying "sequels suck" obsolete. This sequel is proven to be better than its predecessor. There's also an after credits scene that indicates there will be another sequel coming. Can't wait to watch the next one!

Jim Carrey was my hero, when I grew up. I have seen them all, thousands of times and when I am an older man now, I cannot and will not stop to see whatever project he is in. Crossing with the fact I have now kids of my own and we have seen both sonic movies, I had the chance to combine all into watching the third movie with double dose of Carrey.

The plot, as always, doesn't really matter for those kinds of movies. Idris Alba is getting reinforcement with the voice of Keanu Reeves and James Marsden is getting less screen time, but he is not the main issue here. Jim Carrey gets the chance to create a double character and double role and just have fun with it.

Sonic will not stop as a Trilogy and while it seems the kids are having fun with this franchise, it seems that the actors have fun also and getting well paid for this fun. The role of human characters is getting weaker, while AI and animated characters are taking control on this movie and succeeding with it.

It's a colorful joyride, that is just getting attached to the same old routine for making movies, that are based of old computer games. The surprise here is that all three movies maintain the same magic and portion of success on cinemas and also maintain the same level, which is not an easy task. Thanks to Jim Carrey, the task becomes way easier.

Hold onto your chili dogs, folks! Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a blue streak of pure, unadulterated fun. Director Jeff Fowler delivers another visually spectacular and laugh-out-loud hilarious adventure that's sure to delight fans of all ages.

Ben Schwartz once again nails the voice of Sonic, capturing the character's trademark energy and wit. Jim Carrey continues to steal the show as the eccentric Dr. Robotnik, delivering some truly outrageous moments of comedic gold. Idris Elba's Knuckles, still delightfully literal, gets some hilarious one-liners, while Colleen O'Shaughnessey's Tails remains the tech-savvy glue of the team, and Keanu Reeves brings a brooding intensity to the role, making Shadow a truly formidable and captivating villain.

The action sequences are jaw-dropping, with Sonic and his friends zipping around the globe at breakneck speeds. The humor, a blend of classic slapstick and witty dialogue, will have audiences of all ages laughing out loud. But beneath the surface of the high-octane thrills, Sonic 3 explores themes of friendship, trust, and the importance of accepting others for who they are.

Whether you're a longtime Sonic fan or simply looking for a fun and entertaining movie experience, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 delivers the goods. It's a fast-paced, funny, and visually stunning adventure.

The dialogue, action, comedy, and performances all come together perfectly in this movie. Jim, Tika, James, and Lee truly nailed their roles. The voice actors brought the emotions to life, and the screenplay keeps you engaged from start to finish. I'm hoping for a fourth or even fifth installment, perhaps with cameos from Jim Carrey.

What I loved most: The ease with which the screenplay connects with the audience. Whether you're 5 or 50 years old, the film remains thoroughly enjoyable the entire time.

What I didn't like: Again, I loved every second of the movie. The settings, interactions, flashbacks, and performances were all fantastic (Note: 2-D format is still amazing!)

Be sure to stay through the very end of the credits... This movie is a must-see for all ages!

People kept saying this film is so amazing, but it's not. It's just fine. I mean there is some stuff to it I liked, for example, shadow's backstory was quite well done, and I enjoyed that part of it. The action with shadow was very good too. And some of the jokes were really funny. Still, it's a Sonic movie, so it has weird jokes and moments that aren't that funny. And there was a lot of stuff that was not explained and told clearly. And I don't know why people keep saying that Jim Carrey's performance is a masterclass or Oscar bait. It was just Jim Carrey, it was good, but I don't if it was an Oscar performance. I also might have enjoyed it more if I played the games, but I don't know. It was a fine movie; it was better than Sonic 2.

It was really good. They didn't waste a lot of time and went straight into the stuff we care about. They handled Shadow excellently. I don't want to give too much away, but this was definitely a love letter to the fans. Eggman(s) stole the movie again. Jim Carrey is the perfect Eggman.

I was hoping for one thing to be here, but it wasn't. That's ok though. There was obviously a lot of references to Sonic Adventure 2 and it was cool to see those moments on the big screen

This movie was a blast and I had a lot of fun watching it.

I'd give it a 8/10. Also, stay for the mid credit and end credit scenes. They are super hype!

This movie was heavily inspired by the games Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog. Games I never played, so I feel like I missed a lot of the nods to the audience with the story. Despite that, it wasn't a bad movie at all, and actually dealt with some heavy themes, but with a lot of "just for the kids" moments as well. The fact that they are on the 3rd movie of the franchise and have maintained quality storytelling and compelling visuals is impressive. Jim Carrey seems to have put in a lot of work in this one, and Keanu Reeves is always a great addition to a movie. I feel like I would have enjoyed this movie a little more if I were familiar with the post 90s Sonic games. The 2nd is still my favorite of the 3.

I went to see this last night and it didn't disappoint! A lot of action, funny scenes with Jim Carey, heart and surprises. The action in the movie is not like we have seen in previous Sonic movies, the animation is definitely a noticeable upgrade. This is what everyone was looking for in a Sonic movie and they finally hit all the right spots. They took the feedback seriously to take the best parts of the first and second one into the 3rd installment. Credits screen will make your jaw drop. Looking forward to see Sonic movie 4! I will be seeing this again in the movies it was that good, for a kids movie you can't get any better!

As someone who genuinely enjoyed the first two Sonic the Hedgehog films, I walked into Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with cautious optimism and a bucket of nostalgia-fueled popcorn. The trailers looked promising, the returning cast was in place, and of course, Jim Carrey was back in action - or so I thought. But man, this installment felt like watching a blue blur smash into a brick wall of half-baked storytelling, undercooked characters, and misplaced humor.

Let's get the positives out of the way, because there are a few. The visual effects, once again, are top-tier. The team behind Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails continues to impress with fluid animation, slick action sequences, and environments that don't look like PS2 cutscenes (looking at you, early Cats trailer). The editing was tight - at just under two hours, the film doesn't overstay its welcome. Unlike many recent blockbusters, it understands the importance of pacing and doesn't try to stretch a thin plot into an epic saga. That was appreciated.

But that's about where the praise ends.

The core issue with Sonic 3 is its painfully weak writing. It's like the script was written during a Sonic speedrun - barely thought through, rushed, and full of missed opportunities. The first two films had a decent balance of humor, character development, and nostalgic callbacks. Here, the script feels like it was cobbled together by feeding Sonic memes and outdated one-liners into ChatGPT and calling it a day. There's barely any emotional weight, no strong character arcs, and worst of all - the jokes rarely land.

As a die-hard Jim Carrey fan, it actually pains me to say this - but his portrayal of Dr. Robotnik in Sonic 3 is... rough. Not in a "he phoned it in" kind of way, but more in a "why is he acting like Ace Ventura got dropped on his head" kind of way. Robotnik in the first two films was eccentric but dangerous. Here, he's all cringe and no menace. His lines feel forced, like the writers tried to push the "wacky evil genius" dial up to 11 but snapped the knob off. It's a caricature of a caricature - and that's saying something when we're talking about Jim Carrey.

The rest of the cast doesn't fare much better. Ben Schwartz continues to do a decent job as the voice of Sonic, but even his energetic delivery can't save the bland dialogue he's given. Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) are underused, reduced to either comic relief or awkward sidekicks. The chemistry between the trio, which was a highlight of Sonic 2, feels diminished here - like the gang is going through the motions, not really evolving as characters.

And then there's the plot. If Sonic 1 was a fun road trip and Sonic 2 was a buddy adventure with some decent stakes, Sonic 3 is... a plot salad. There are ancient prophecies, sudden villain alliances, new characters introduced with no depth or purpose, and confusing lore that feels more like fan fiction than a coherent story. None of it is explained well, and it's hard to care when the movie itself doesn't seem to care either. At some points, it felt like I was watching cutscenes from a Sonic video game stitched together with random jokes and CGI explosions.

One thing I'll give the filmmakers credit for - they do try to build out the Sonic universe, and I respect the ambition. There are nods to the Sonic Adventure series, hints of bigger stories to come, and setups for spinoffs or sequels. But all that worldbuilding is meaningless if the audience isn't invested, and Sonic 3 just doesn't give us a reason to care. It's all flash, no soul.

The human characters, which were surprisingly charming in the first two movies, are even more irrelevant here. Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) feel like afterthoughts, relegated to a few scenes that don't add anything to the story. Their presence is more contractual than impactful. And the less said about the new supporting characters, the better - most are one-note additions that disappear as quickly as they show up.

I'm not saying the movie is unwatchable - it's not. If you're a hardcore Sonic fan, a kid, or just someone looking for mindless fun and good visuals, Sonic 3 is fine. It's a one-time-watch popcorn flick with some eye candy and the occasional chuckle. But compared to the surprisingly solid foundation laid by the first two entries, this one feels like a massive step backward.

And that's the real disappointment here. This could've been the Avengers moment for the Sonic franchise - the culmination of character arcs, a deeper dive into Sonic lore, and a mature evolution of the story. Instead, it's a cartoonish mess that trades substance for spectacle and humor for cringe.

Final Verdict: 6/10

"Sonic the Hedgehog 3" is like eating a chili dog that looks amazing but tastes kind of meh. It has the flash, the energy, and the legacy - but not the heart. Jim Carrey deserved better. We all did.

One time watch? Sure. Memorable entry in the franchise? Not even close.

This is a very good movie a must watch for every fan. I recommend this to everyone who wants to have fun. The scenes are cool the story is mostly the same with a little bit of changes. Sonic Adventure 2 adaptation is exelent. Live and Learn remix is awsome. Best movie in this year an probably the next year too. CGI was upped and it was very good, I am looking forward to the next part and what it has to be better than this part if it is even possible. Post credits were fun and they were teasing things that are going to come in this franchise and I am all up for it it is a very good movie overall.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails for a high-stakes showdown against Shadow, a formidable new adversary whose powers surpass anything Team Sonic has faced before. Directed by Jeff Fowler, the film continues the franchise's blend of fast-paced action, humor, and nostalgia, but struggles to strike a balance between spectacle and storytelling.

The film introduces Shadow as a mysterious and complex villain, voiced with brooding intensity by Keanu Reeves. While Shadow's presence adds intrigue, his character feels underdeveloped, leaving his motivations and backstory lacking the emotional weight needed to elevate the conflict. Jim Carrey, reprising his role as Dr. Robotnik, injects energy and humor, but his antics verge on over-the-top, occasionally detracting from the plot's momentum.

Visually, Sonic 3 delivers the expected thrills, with dazzling action sequences and vibrant CGI that capture the speed and chaos of Sonic's world. The dynamic between Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails remains a highlight, with moments of camaraderie providing some much-needed heart. However, the script feels formulaic, relying heavily on predictable beats and recycled tropes that undermine the sense of urgency in the story.

At 1 hour and 50 minutes, the pacing feels uneven, with the first half dragging under the weight of exposition and the second half rushing through climactic moments. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy the nostalgic callbacks and energetic set pieces, but casual viewers may find the film's lack of depth and originality disappointing.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a serviceable entry in the series, delivering visual excitement but lacking the narrative strength to truly stand out. While it sets the stage for future installments, this chapter feels more like a stepping stone than a fully realized adventure.

Rating: 5/10. A visually engaging but narratively shallow sequel that coasts on the charm of its characters.

It's always odd to be on the outside looking in when it comes to movie reviews. There are a lot of people saying this is a great Sonic movie that is fan-friendly and made with care, etc. But that was not my experience, with this one or the previous two.

They have been pretty entertaining overall, mostly thanks to Jim Carrey, who even at his age in a very uninspired studio production is still capable of getting a smile out of me.

He was again the strongest link in Sonic 3, especially pulling double duty as two amusing characters.

But the other main human characters of James Marsden and Tika Sumpter have really generic and trite dialogue, which is more noticeable as live-action people. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Shadow have some less than inspiring dialogue as well, but their being CGI makes it a little less jarring for some reason. Still, I can't help but feel like these films really short-change the writing just to be as "accessible" as possible, but it's a shame they can't treat the viewer with a little more respect, and in so doing create something more elegant and timeless. As it is, these are trend-heavy films that will not stand the test of time in the decades to come.

Sonic 3 has a decent story-line, but the script seems determined to undermine its impact, and some of the silly humor feels like something from a Disney channel show in the early 2000s.

Like the previous two entries, Sonic 3 has a forgettable music score that does nothing to increase its emotional resonance with fans. I don't understand how after 3 films they still only use snippets of the game soundtracks as audio-cameos instead of incorporating them fully into the score. The game music melodies are some of the most moving and pleasant tones ever devised by mankind, and this film franchise instead opts for generic movie scoring. It's truly mystifying.

I suppose I should count it as a net positive than these films have been doing well, since that usually means studios will be open to more iterations, but I am still waiting for a better film version of the Sonic the Hedgehog experience. Ideally, it would be entirely animated, whether it's hand drawn or CGI (like the visually excellent Transformers One), and not attempt to be "grounded" in the real world with human characters. Also, it would have some amazing synth wave renditions of the classic soundtrack as the foundation of the score. But hey, they didn't ask me...