Sonic’s Knuckles Paramount+ show isn’t the knockout fans were hoping for

When the Sonic the Hedgehog movie was first teased in April 2019, the internet recoiled in collective horror. Reborn as an unholy, humanoid CG abomination, Sonic’s gangly legs, un-conjoined eyes and terrifyingly lifelike teeth felt less like dream fulfilment and more like a waking nightmare.

Yet as gamers braced themselves for yet another Hollywood humiliation, against all odds, the blue blur bounced back. Thanks to a hasty redesign, Sega’s sassy speedster returned to cinemas triumphant, raking in a cool 306 million USD box office and spawning a successful 2022 sequel.

Now, Paramount is hoping that everyone’s favourite alien echidna will repeat the same ring-spewing magic for its streaming service. With Dr Robotnik sent packing, we return to Sonic’s serene slice of American suburbia in Montana’s Green Hills, where a fish out of water Knuckles struggles to adapt to life on Earth.

Finding no foes to vanquish or daring missions to undertake, the perplexed alien whiles away the days by challenging dogs to trial by combat, building battle arenas in Sonic’s living room, and scaring the living shit out of local construction workers. It’s a grin-inducing setup, allowing a cameo-ing Sonic and his newfound CG pals to enjoy some fun-filled downtime – but predictably, the good times don’t last.

As the enjoyable pilot episode ends and Sonic and Tails disappear, our lovable alien anteater seeks out a human protégé. Seeing a news story about sheriff deputy and all-round fail son, Wade Whipple (Adam Pally), Knuckles sets out to train the disastrous cop in the ways of the Echidna warrior.

It’s a strong start for the series, with the punchily-paced pilot capturing the oddball spirit of the Sonic films. Yet as Sonic movie’s Jeff Fowler vacates the director’s seat, and Lego Batman script writer John Whittington taps out, the laughs lessen, the plot meanders and Knuckles’ fist-hugging tape slowly begins to unravel.

Still, it’s not all bad news. As Knuckles tracks down Whipple at a local bowling alley, we’re introduced to bowling teammate and luscious-locked lady’s man, Jack Sinclair, brought to life by a screen-stealing performance from the Mighty Boosh’s Julian Barratt. Barratt’s deluded oddball is a delight throughout, pulling off the absurdist Deadpool-lite gags with aplomb.

“As Sonic movie’s Jeff Fowler vacates the director’s seat, and Lego Batman script writer John Whittington taps out, the laughs lessen, the plot meanders and Knuckles’ fist-hugging tape slowly begins to unravel.”

It’s a shame then, that the same comedy talent doesn’t come as naturally to the rest of the cast. Where Barratt’s pouting and posturing consistently entertains and Elba’s stoic warrior schtick does the job, the Knuckles-stalking henchmen Agent Mason (Kid Cudi) and Agent Willoughby( Ellie Taylor) fail to bring the slapstick humour of the action scenes to life, lacking Jim Carrey’s cartoon-esque eccentricities.

In a bid to make up for some so-so scripting, there’s a plethora of licensed music sprinkled throughout. From Whipple introducing a pumped up Knuckles to Rock you like a hurricane by The Scorpions, to a daydreamed daring rescue mission set to Bonnie Taylor’s cliched classic, these recognisable hits squeeze some extra life out of otherwise forgettable scenes.

Still, even nostalgic bangers can’t save Knuckles’ utter disaster of a third episode. This horrifying fever dream of a bottle episode depicts an on-the-run Wade inadvertently returning to his family home during Jewish holiday, shabbat.

As Grease actress Edi Patterson puts on an unhinged performance as Whipple’s mum, Knuckles discovers kosher food and wade gets into punch and judy style scrapes with his unbearable sister, I have to double check that Sega hasn’t slipped an edible into my popcorn. Nostalgic noughties references and a well-shot home invasion action scene can’t save this mid season shocker.

Thankfully, episode four fares better, with Barrat donning the spandex and keytar to lead a wonderfully Boosh-esque rock opera that doubles as a theatrical pastiche to side-scrolling Sonic. While Barrat channels his best Justin Hawkins, Whipple’s verses are sung inexplicably by ‘80s rock legend Michael Bolton. It’s another episode that shows what the right actor can do to sell the script, with Barrat committing whole-heartedly to the bit, schooling the rest of the cast in how to deliver offbeat humour.

Yet the flashy soundtrack clearly came at a notable cost, with Knuckles resorting to the most egregious product placement I’ve ever seen. As Elba’s red warrior leans against a tree enjoying a perfectly framed packet of Cool Original Doritos™ he audibly marvels at their taste. Move over, Keighley – there’s a new Dorito pope in town.

“Despite a brilliant start, It’s difficult to shake the feeling that Knuckles was originally intended for theatrical release, with momentum killing filler and heinous product placement the resulting collateral damage.”

It’s a sin repeated in the second episode, where during a quiet chat between the earnest echidna and a struggling Whipple, the depth of field sees a third character framed perfectly in focus– a packet of Lays crisps. Even the aforementioned enjoyable rock opera isn’t safe from the hard sell, as a demon pauses mid-song to bring up Facebook marketplace on an iPad, the camera lingering over it to show a litany of purchasable detritus.

Between the unenthusiastically received Halo series, Twisted Metal and now, Knuckles, Paramount clearly sees game adaptations as its path to streaming success. Yet where HBO’s The Last of Us and Amazon’s Fallout series stand shoulder to shoulder with the best that prestige TV has to offer, Knuckles feels like the red headed echidna stepchild. You certainly wouldn’t find a moving scene between Joel and Ellie interrupted by Joel gruffly describing the cool, refreshing taste of Pepsi.

Ultimately then, this series isn’t the knockout that fans were hoping for. Despite a brilliant start, It’s difficult to shake the feeling that Knuckles was originally intended for theatrical release, with momentum killing filler and heinous product placement the resulting collateral damage.

Human lead Whipple is a misfire, and while Pally does the job, fails to bring any strong laughs to the table. As Luther and even the enjoyably silly Hijack proved, Idris Elba is an effortlessly charismatic and watchable presence, so it’s a shame that he is cast in such a one-note role. With Fowler and Whittington fully at the helm, this may have been another hit, but thanks to a clear lack of cohesive vision, Paramount+ ultimately pulls its punches with this so-so Sonic spin-off.

Knuckles hits Paramount + on April 26. VGC attended the premiere, watching four of the season’s six episodes.