Pokémon: Detective Pikachu review

POKÉMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU:

A CASE WORTH TAKING FOR DIE-HARD POKÉ-FANS!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Justice Smith and Pikachu are on the case in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu

            The world of Nintendo’s hugely successful Pokémon franchise comes to life in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, the latest film based on the Pokémon video game and TV series. Not only is this the first Pokémon movie to get a wide theatrical release since 2001's Pokémon 3: The Movie, but it's also the first live-action/CG animated film adaptation based on the series. 

            Given Pokémon’s massive popularity since its introduction back in 1995 you’d think Hollywood would probably jump on this bandwagon much sooner. We’ve had three animated films based on the TV show released from 1999 to 2001, but never a live-action film with realistic “Pocket Monsters” roaming around…I guess they were too busy milking Alvin and the Chipmunks and Smurfs instead of one of the most profitable things on the planet. 

            Like many kids, Pokémon was a huge part of my childhood from watching the anime on TV, playing the video games on Game Boy and N64, and collecting toys, merchandise, and the trading cards. I even have fond memories of going to see the original three Pokémon movies in theaters and loving them at the time. 

But as I got older and was being introduced to other franchises like Mario, Crash Bandicoot, and Sonic the Hedgehog I began to distance myself from Pokémon. I still respected the franchise, watched a couple of the later movies either on TV or DVD, and played a few new games once in a while, but it never really wowed me as it once did.

Aside from characters appearing in other game franchises like Super Smash Bros. and meeting Veronica Taylor, the original English voice for Ash Ketchum in the anime at a couple of conventions, I’ve severely fallen behind on the Pokémon craze. 

            However, when news of a film based on the Detective Pikachu game from 2016 was announced I was kind of intrigued. Granted, I’ve never played the Detective Pikachu game so I’m not sure how faithful this movie is to it, I did watch the commercials for the game online featuring a CG talking Pikachu voiced by Danny DeVito in live-action environment and got a basic idea of what the concept is. 

            I had some concerns though because while the Pokémon franchise is a huge hit with its fans, the movies never won critics over. If you revisit those movies today without the nostalgia goggles, you can see why.

            The English dub’s corny jokes and dialogue, flat storylines, and forced morals. Yeah, they’re nostalgic but they’re terrible movies sorry but it’s true, Poké-fans.

So, now we have this live-action Pokémon: Detective Pikachu movie directed by Rob Letterman (Shark Tale, Monsters VS Aliens, Goosebumps) and featuring the voice of Ryan Reynolds (National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Turbo, Deadpool 1 and 2) as the talking, coffee-addicted Detective Pikachu. How does this version hold up compared to its animated predecessors? Honestly, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the live-action film is quite possibly the best Pokémon movie we’ve ever gotten. 

            Coming from a guy who hasn’t followed the franchise in over a decade, Detective Pikachu surpassed my expectations and despite a flawed and predictable story I ended up having a fun time. The film embraces its gleefully absurd premise about a human befriending a talking Pikachu and offers a familiar but unique perspective on Pokémon that’s exciting, funny, and cute all at the same time with plenty of fan-service for its devoted fanbase…if you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan I guarantee you’ll have a “Poké-Ball” catching all the references in this movie.

            The film is set in Ryme City where humans and Pokémon co-exist together, and follows a young man named Tim Goodman (Justice Smith-Paper Towns, Every Day, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) whose father had mysteriously gone missing. One night he is greeted by a Pikachu (voiced by Reynolds) wearing a hat that may have belonged to his father and discovers that he can communicate and understand Pikachu but all everyone else can hear is “Pika-Pika!”. 

            Believing his father is still alive, Tim and Detective Pikachu join forces to solve the mystery behind his disappearance. Along the way they befriend a junior reporter named Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton-Gary Unmarried, Paranormal Activity 4, Supernatural) and her Psyduck who accompany Tim and Pikachu on their quest to crack the case. 

            However, there may be something more behind Tim’s father’s disappearance. Something that could change humanity and Pokémon life forever. 

            The film also stars Bill Nighy (Shaun of the Dead, Rango, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 and 2) as Howard Clifford, Ken Watanabe (Letters from Iwo Jima, Godzilla (2014) 1 and 2, Transformers 4 and 5) as Detective Hideo Yoshida, Chris Geere (Waterloo Road, You’re the Worst, The Last Showing) as Roger Clifford, Suki Waterhouse (The Divergent Series: Insurgent, The Bad Batch, Assassination Nation) as Ms. Norman, Karan Soni (Safety Not Guaranteed, Deadpool 1 and 2, Ghostbusters (2016)) as Jack, and Ikue Ōtani returning as Pikachu’s normal speaking voice.

            Overall, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu may not win over any newcomers, but fans will have a blast. I literally felt like a little kid again sitting in the theater watching all the Pokémon I grew up with come to life in CGI form and all the models for them look great and are given enhancements to blend into the live-action environments but they’re still recognizable, take some notes Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

            The film is overflowing with characters and references that fans will absolutely gush over. From appearances by Bulbasaur, Jigglypuff, Lickitung, and Squirtle to battles with Charizard, Greninja, and fan-favorite, Mewtwo, it has everything a Pokémon fan would want.  

            If you’ve seen the trailers you know exactly what you’re getting into, and the movie doesn’t really do much to surprise you. The plot is very reminiscent of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the main villain was predictable the moment he showed up, and the climax is ripped straight from Batman (1989), gas-filled balloons and all.

Would I have liked a more original story with shocking twists and surprises? Absolutely. But the recycled narrative doesn’t exactly ruin the movie and besides we’re all here for the Pokémon anyway. 

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu breaks the video game movie curse and offers a fun, nostalgia-filled adventure for Pokémon fans of all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t directly adapt its source material but instead brings a side-story to the screen that actually benefits from it. 

It proves a film based on a game can be different but still entertaining and with the right amount of thought and passion put into it, a Nintendo property can get a decent film adaptation.