Knuckles review: "A confident trial run for Sonic 3"

GamesRadar+ VerdictAt times, Knuckles is a shadow of the Sonic movies. But when it really gets rolling, the Paramount Plus series delivers an earnest and energetic mini-cinematic adventure starring everyone’s favorite echidna and his hapless protege Wade Whipple. GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict At times, Knuckles is a shadow of the Sonic movies. But when it really gets rolling, the Paramount Plus series delivers an earnest and energetic mini-cinematic adventure starring everyone’s favorite echidna and his hapless protege Wade Whipple. At times, Knuckles is a shadow of the Sonic movies. But when it really gets rolling, the Paramount Plus series delivers an earnest and energetic mini-cinematic adventure starring everyone’s favorite echidna and his hapless protege Wade Whipple. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Sonic may be all lightning-fast quips and even quicker action, but the Knuckles spin-off TV show packs a different kind of punch. While the new Paramount Plus series – consisting of six 25-30 minute episodes – certainly highlights a ceiling to the family fun-style Sonic formula, it’s a surprisingly charming, earnest road trip that sees Idris Elba dig a little more into the red echidna’s potential for bone-crunching capers and dry humor. The series begins with Knuckles (Idris Elba) getting used to life in the leafy locale of Green Hills after choosing to stay on Earth in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. After being grounded, he takes on a willing protege: Wade Whipple (Adam Pally, in top goofball form), the hapless sheriff’s deputy from the first two Sonic movies who has been pushed front and center here. From there, all roads lead to Reno – and a bowling tournament that sees Wade reunite with his estranged father, champion bowler ‘Pistol’ Pete Whipple (Cary Elwes). While the main plot is a littleDisneyChannel in its execution, Knuckles and Wade’s unlikely double act does the heavy lifting in a series of scenarios filled with slapstick, a sprinkling of anarchic OTT energy from Wade, and one-liners from an often bemused Knuckles. While some of the jokesarepredictable and low-hanging, Idris Elba frequently pulls a gem out of nowhere – with Knuckles’ surprise fandom of Paul Blart: Mall Cop being a standout. A Knuckles adventure (Image credit: Paramount) Speaking of music, Knuckles inexplicably turns into a rock opera halfway through. No, that’s not a joke. While we daren’t spoil the details here, fans of Alan Wake 2’s We Sing interlude will certainly perk their ears up for a surprisingly daring left turn for a series that mostly sticks a little too closely to the sort of fish-out-of-water action formula that brought the Sonic series so much success in cinemas. There are other downsides, though. Despite what the title suggests, this is less Knuckles and more Wade Whipple: The Series at times. It’s likely a budget constraint – though the CGI wedoget is a confident trial run for Sonic 3 – and the series can’t help but feel a little empty when the echidna glides off stage for more Whipple family drama. (Image credit: Paramount) Generally, it’s hard not to shake the feeling that some people simply won’t be the target audience for Knuckles – and that’s OK. The Paramount Plus series is more of the same when compared to its bigger box office brothers. So much so, in fact, that it feels like Sonic 2.5 in places, despite a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Sonic cameo being one of only a handful of connections to the wider universe. Still, it’s a light, fun, and relatively safe adventure that manages to flesh out Wade and Knuckles just enough that you’ll be fist pumping a little more when they show up again down the line. In that sense, it’s a job well done and resembles what the MCU originally aimed to do with WandaVision before bloating its line-up with more middling Disney Plus efforts. After this endearing Knuckles detour, one where Idris Elba unlocks the character’s comedic potential, it’s full speed ahead for the Blue Blur’s next adventure –with Keanu Reeves in tow. On this evidence, it’ll have no trouble racking up the coins at the box office. Knuckles is premiering on Paramount Plus on April 26 in the US and April 27 in the UK. For more, check out thenew TV showscoming your way later this year. More info More More about knucklesFrom Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screenTake Knuckles for a spin - the first episode is now free to watch on YouTubeLatestElder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in MorrowindSee more latest► More about knucklesFrom Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screenTake Knuckles for a spin - the first episode is now free to watch on YouTubeLatestElder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in MorrowindSee more latest► More about knucklesFrom Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screenTake Knuckles for a spin - the first episode is now free to watch on YouTube More about knuckles From Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screenTake Knuckles for a spin - the first episode is now free to watch on YouTube From Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screen From Fallout to Arcane, the best gaming adaptations of 2024 have been on the small screen Take Knuckles for a spin - the first episode is now free to watch on YouTube Take Knuckles for a spin - the first episode is now free to watch on YouTube LatestElder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in MorrowindSee more latest► Latest Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in Morrowind Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in Morrowind Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in Morrowind See more latest► Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, 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the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”