There are two camps of people regarding the six-episode Knuckles series on Paramount Plus. Long-time Sonic the Hedgehog fans followed the video game from which the entire franchise stems through the movies and into the new Knuckles series. Newcomers were introduced to the franchise through the movies of the “Sonic Cinematic Universe,” a phrase coined by the director Jeff Fowler.
The cinematic universe has attracted the masses over the last decade with a hit-or-miss reaction from audiences. To the surprise of many, moviegoers have come to appreciate the unique storytelling qualities the Sonic series brings to the silver screen.
The Sonic series offers a fresh perspective, distinct from the well-established history of superhero comic books. Its video game origins give the storytellers the opportunity to create something new and exciting, unencumbered by decades-old concepts that stick with established comic book names.
Compared to the video game, which has a rebellious attitude with fast-paced action and rock music, the Sonic Cinematic Universe looks to tell light-hearted stories full of heart with comedic elements that still contain fast-paced action, similar to a Marvel movie. Human characters like Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) have screen time alongside the familiar alien visitors, Sonic and the gang.
The star of the series is Knuckles, an anthropomorphic echidna, voiced by Idris Elba. Knuckles teaches deputy Wade Whipple (Adam Pall) the techniques of the echidna warrior, which he uses to overcome his insecurities and become a better version of himself. So, what’s the issue? Some fans believe that Knuckles plays second fiddle to Wade, who takes up more screen time than the red echidna, despite the fact that the show is named Knuckles.
It is important to remember the roots of the series in the light-hearted movie universe and the dynamic between the actors and CGI characters. Detractors don’t care for Wade or the character’s personal issues. The dynamic between Wade, the comic relief character, and Knuckles, the hardened warrior, makes for fun interactions.
Knuckles has so much heart. The production quality is amazing. The CGI is movie quality. The same applies to lighting, costumes, and props. The people behind the scenes clearly cared for and enjoyed their work on the project, and in my book, that makes the show much more enjoyable.
