Pokémon: Detective Pikachu written by Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit is one hell of a film. I was first to judge the film before the first trailer had even landed. As far as video game movie adaptations go, most send me into bouts of depression. There really hasn’t been one good video game adaptation movie, Ready Player One doesn’t count as it was adapted from a book and not a game (just saying).
But the second the film began, oh my god. My inner child was on top of the world! We finally have an incredible video game adaptation film. A movie like this really should not be this good!
Directed by Rob Letterman the man behind Goosebumps, Detective Pikachu stars Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy, Ken Watanbe and Ryan Reynolds.
The movie revolves around Tim Goodman, a young man whose father is presumed dead at the hands of Mewtwo, a genetically man-made Pokemon. As a result, Tim embarks on an adventure to Ryme City, a city where Pokemon and humans work together. It is here that Tim discovers all is not what it seems. With the help of a Pikachu (Reynolds) who he can somehow talk to and understand they set off on a journey to discover the truth about his father’s presumed death.
Tim Goodman single-handedly carries this film with the help of some quirky Ryan Reynolds lines of course. Pikachu is as adorable as he is loyal and Reynolds is not playing Deadpool in a fluffy yellow disguise. He delivers a more emotive range with his character and turns Pikachu into a very relatable and equally hilarious bundle of joy.
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In Ryme City Tim encounters Lucy Stevens, an investigative reporter who is also much closer to finding the truth about a much wider case that intertwines with Tim’s investigation. Lucy and her sidekick Psyduck team up with Tim and Pikachu and the adventure begins.
Detective Pikachu starts out as a Noir film, blends into a crime caper movie, throws in a bit of sci-fi and comedy for good measure and then transforms into an action-adventure flick. With so many genres explored in the movie, you’d think it would be undecided in its end goal. But you’d be wrong. The movie effortlessly glides through them as breezy as the air surrounding Pigeot’s wings.
Seeing a real-life Pokeball gave me fuzzy feelings inside as Tim attempts to catch a Cubone in a field. These beautifully rendered CGI creatures walking real-life streets is incredible. The creatures have had their personality traits and powers blended into real-life situations and the portrayal is nothing short of genius.
Overall
Detective Pikachu is fun for all the family. The only downside of the movie was a poor third act and Bill Nighy’s character was a little dull. He seemed heavily underutilised and his whole arc was underwhelming. Also, a Rita Ora cameo that was unneeded and thankfully short lived.
Aside from that, I can’t think of any other negatives i’m still smiling even writing this review!
Out in cinemas now. You MUST watch this!
Review by Sean Evans
Summary
It’s a video game movie we can all finally be proud of. Certainly not your run of the mill cashgrab, Detective Pikachu has been made with heart. Made with love of the Pokemon universe and the fans who still to this day collect the cards, play the games, watch the series and immerse themselves within the Pokemon world. Highly reccommend!
