Knuckles Series (Paramount Plus) Review
Knuckles Series Review – The red echidna takes centre stage (sort of) on Paramount Plus
With Sonic the Hedgehog 2 now long in the rear-view mirror and the third film still a ways off until its release on Dec 20th, fans were left with a void to fill. Enter Knuckles on Paramount Plus, stepping up to the plate.
The story centres around Knuckles (played by Idris Elba) seeking his purpose while in Green Hills. He eventually finds it in Deputy Police Officer Wade Whipple (portrayed by Adam Pally), who harbours dreams of following in his father’s footsteps to become a bowling champion in Reno, Nevada. Thus begins a buddy road trip comedy filled with action-packed hijinks.
One standout feature of the six episode series is its lively humour, particularly in Knuckles’ blunt and matter-of-fact dialogue. Knuckles becomes something of a paternal figure to Wade, guiding him towards confidence and a warrior-like mentality, while Wade and his family, notably his mother (Stockard Channing), help Knuckles embrace compassion.
However, as the series progresses, Knuckles somewhat fades into the background, with Wade taking the spotlight. Wade’s character receives thorough development, delving into his childhood, family dynamics, and personal struggles, including his estranged relationship with his father, and, because of all this, he probably has the biggest character arc in the Sonic movie franchise thus far. Knuckles becomes more of a passive observer, occasionally interacting with Wade’s family and learning about their Jewish heritage. However, upon reaching Reno, Knuckles fails to engage further in this aspect, remaining predominantly off-screen and only emerging when necessary, particularly during the final confrontations.
The series introduces antagonists in the form of corrupt GUN Agents Willoughby and Mason (Ellie Taylor and Kid Cudi respectively), working for the main villain, The Buyer (Rory McCann), a disgruntled former associate of Dr. Robotnik. While the action scenes are well-executed and the effects impressive, The Buyer’s motives remain murky, with the focus shifting more towards the ex-GUN agents and their goal of capturing Knuckles.
Knuckles series Review Summary:
Overall, the series offers an enjoyable light-hearted adventure, albeit with a noticeable lack of Knuckles in the latter half, with the bowling tournament segment dragging on and the emphasis on Wade’s personal journey leaving Knuckles somewhat side-lined. Should there be a second season with a larger budget, it’s hoped that Knuckles will reclaim a more central role, though the first season concludes neatly, leaving little room for continuation.
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